Kween — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to establish an industrial park and a public university in the Sebei Sub-region, alongside other interventions aimed at environmental protection, anti-corruption, and supporting victims of landslides.
The President made the commitments while addressing thousands of residents at his campaign rally in Kween District, where he also highlighted the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s achievements and future plans for the region. “I want to address the issues affecting Sebei particularly,” President Museveni began.
He announced that parts of Sebei affected by past cattle rustling would be included in the government’s restocking programme, which is currently being implemented in Teso, Lango, and Acholi.
“In Teso, Lango, Acholi we are giving five cows per family to restock, but I have realized that neighboring areas like Abim, Bulambuli and some parts of Sebei were also affected. We are going to include you in this programme,” he said.
Environmental Protection and Landslide Response
Turning to environmental protection, President Museveni noted that boundary demarcations for Mount Elgon National Park had not been completed and promised to have them finalised.
“These mountains, wetlands and forests are like the blood supply in our system, and once they are affected it is bad. The boundary should be guided by science, not opinion,” he emphasised. “Without these mountains—the Elgon, the Rwenzori—Uganda would be a desert. Now that the population has grown, let us not destroy these places.”
Addressing the recurring problem of landslides in the region, the President said the government will organise a scientific conference in Sebei to develop sustainable solutions.
“This mountain is really steep, almost 90 degrees—how do you live there?” he asked. “We shall have a conference here with experts to advise how people can live safely. Trees hold the soil; when you cut them, the soil becomes loose. We must study this science and see how to live here.”
He revealed that the government had already purchased land to resettle families displaced by landslides, with each household set to receive two acres of land and Shs10 million to aid relocation and house construction.
“In the meantime, our plan is to settle those who were affected by the landslides. Once we settle you, each family will be given two acres free and 10 million shillings cash to help in relocation,” he said.
The President also pledged that the government would study the issue of compensating families evicted from forest reserves.
Public University for Sebei and Anti-Corruption Efforts
Responding to long-standing demands from local leaders, President Museveni confirmed that the region will soon get a public university, in line with government policy to establish one per zone.
“It is already our policy to have a public university per zone, and we shall have one in Sebei. It’s just a question of budgeting,” he said, noting that universities have already been established in Lango, Teso, and Acholi.
On corruption, the President warned that he would deploy auditors to investigate misuse of government funds in Kween District.
“I will send my auditor here to find out who is misusing government money. The leaders should be the ones to fight corruption. That’s why the NRM brought the LC system—so that people elect their own leaders and hold them accountable,” he said.
NRM Achievements and Call for Wealth Creation
President Museveni reminded citizens of the NRM’s seven key contributions since 1986, including peace, development, wealth creation, job creation, and education.
“The first one is peace, and the NRM has been able to create peace in Sebei and across Uganda. The second one is development—you have good roads and other services. But do you sleep on these roads? No—you need wealth creation,” he said.
He encouraged residents to embrace commercial farming under the Four-Acre Model and to make use of government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to fight household poverty.
Highlighting the link between wealth creation and employment, the President cited success stories from industrialisation efforts. “The Mbale Industrial Park alone is employing over 12,000 people, and factories across Uganda now employ 1.3 million. So, our fourth contribution is clarifying where jobs come from,” he said.
Education and Industrial Development
On education, President Museveni reminded the public that free education was introduced by the NRM in 1996 but has been frustrated by school administrators.
“Free education in government schools was established in 1996 but has been sabotaged by headteachers. That’s why I started skilling hubs where children are trained for six months for free and are able to produce goods,” he said.
The President thanked the people of Sebei for allocating 500 acres of land for an industrial park, promising to develop it to the level of the Mbale Industrial Park.
Leaders Commend the President
Rt. Hon. Anita Among, NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) and Speaker of Parliament, thanked the President for his visionary leadership but raised concern about the poor utilisation of Shs1.3 billion sent annually to Kween District for road maintenance.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Hon. Calvin Echodu, thanked the President for supporting families in Sebei who lost loved ones during the recent mudslides.
The NRM Chairperson for Kween District, Mr. Chemutai Mongusho Stephen, also commended the President for the developments in the area—such as schools and roads—but called for greater accountability in the use of road funds and requested government support for families evicted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
