Rubanda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, has renewed his commitment to strengthening peace, upgrading critical road networks, and boosting household incomes in Rubanda District.
Addressing a large campaign rally on Tuesday, the President said the NRM’s 2026–2031 Manifesto will build on Uganda’s hard-won stability and accelerate the country’s march toward prosperity.
He reminded residents that communities in Kisoro and Rubanda understand the true value of peace because of their closeness to conflict-affected regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. “After defeating Kony and other rebel groups, we secured this peace. And we must protect it,” he said.
Infrastructure Priorities
President Museveni emphasised infrastructure development as a major pillar of his next term, citing the completed Kabale–Kisoro Road.
He confirmed that the government has secured funding for the Katuna–Muko–Kamuganguzi Road and assured residents that upgrades for the Kisoro–Nkuringo–Buguri–Buko Road, the Kabale–Bunyonyi–Kisoro–Mgahinga tourism route, and the Hamurwa–Kerere–Kanungu–Kanyantorogo–Butogota–Buhoma/Ifasha–Ikumba corridor are all planned.
“These strategic roads will boost tourism, improve market access and increase household incomes,” he said.
Wealth Creation: Intensive Agriculture and the Four-Acre Model
The President revisited a message he has delivered for decades, praising cattle corridor communities for adopting early economic transformation strategies. “I’m glad the dairy farmers of 1964–65 listened. They settled, and today, they are earning big,” he said.
He urged families with small landholdings to embrace intensive, high-value agriculture. “If you have two acres and grow cotton or tobacco, you earn very little. You must produce goods for sale, and you must apply ekibalo (calculation),” he advised.
Re-emphasising the Four-Acre Model, first introduced in the 1996 NRM Manifesto, he broke it down: Acre 1: Coffee – up to Shs 15 million a year, Acre 2: Fruits, Acre 3: Pasture for dairy cows, Acre 4: Food crops for family use and Backyard: Poultry, piggery (for non-Muslims), and fish farming.
He noted that one acre of fish ponds can generate as much as Shs 80 million annually.
Parish Development Model: A Community Bank
President Museveni reminded beneficiaries that PDM funds are not handouts but community-owned investments.
“This PDM is your bank. It’s a revolving fund meant to lift you out of poverty. Those who receive the money must use it well and repay after two years so others can benefit,” he cautioned.
He warned against the misuse of PDM funds, stressing that poor management denies other families a chance at economic transformation.
Endorsing Local Leaders
The President also handed over NRM flags to aspiring MPs, LC V leaders, councillors and other party candidates in Rubanda, formally endorsing them for the 2026 elections.
Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance (General Duties) and Rubanda East MP, thanked the President for expanding services in education, health, water and electricity.
He highlighted progress in school construction, health centre upgrades and water systems, but appealed for strengthened policing to address theft in rural communities.
Former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda welcomed President Museveni to Kigezi and urged residents to maintain their strong support for the NRM.
NRM’s Footprint in Rubanda
Rubanda District has recorded significant improvements across key sectors:
Education: 110 government primary schools and 81 private ones, 9 government secondary schools and 29 private institutions, 5,381 students enrolled under USE and UPOLET, 45 of 70 parishes have at least one government primary school and two new Seed Secondary Schools under construction will reduce sub-counties without government secondary schools from 10 to 8.
Health: Upgrading of Muko HCIV, Elevation of Kiyebe, Kaara, Ihunga, Kagarama, Mugyera and Kashasha to HCIII, New HCIIIs planned in Bubaare, Kacere and Katojo, and Rubanda West hosts a general hospital; Rubanda East has a fully functional HCIV.
Water and Sanitation: 54% of villages have safe water access. Recent works include 12 protected springs, the Nyakasazi Gravity Flow Scheme and the Burimbe piped system. Rehabilitation of Rwanseza and Ruboroga gravity schemes, expanded urban water systems across Rubanda, Hamurwa, Bubaare, Bufundi, Muko, Kacerere and others, and future plans include new piped systems for Nshanjare, Katojo and Mugyera.
Energy: Rubanda is fully connected to the national grid, and the Next phase prioritises extending power to the remaining sub-counties.
Economic Empowerment: 63,754 households in the district, 20,733 households have benefited from PDM, Shs 21.1bn cumulatively received, with 96.66% disbursed, and 32 Emyooga SACCOs with 20,963 members have received Shs 1.76bn. The rally was attended by NRM CEC members, MPs, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
