Museveni Pledges to Address Persistent Water Shortages in Lwengo

Lwengo – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the NRM Presidential flagbearer for 2026, has promised to tackle persistent water shortages affecting Lwengo District.

Speaking at a campaign rally at Mbirizi Seed Secondary School, the President acknowledged progress in the district but emphasised that drought-induced water scarcity remains a pressing challenge.

“For a long time, this area has had issues of water shortage due to drought. We shall put our efforts to ensure that we solve this problem,” President Museveni said. He added that Hon. Cissy Namujju, together with Moses Byaruhanga from his office, has been tasked to prepare a comprehensive report on the district’s water situation.

Currently, 320 of Lwengo’s 438 villages have access to safe water, leaving 118 villages still without. Key piped water systems serve towns such as Nkoni (55,150 people), Mbirizi (38,590), Kyazanga (22,000), Kinoni (11,790), and Kamuzinda (7,729), but shortages persist due to prolonged dry spells, affecting household welfare, sanitation, and agricultural production.

President Museveni also highlighted ongoing government investments in infrastructure. Planned road works include Sembabule–Matete–Mbirizi, Kyabakuza–Kiwangala, and Lyantonde–Lumbugu–Lwamagwa–Rakai. On electricity, he pledged that the remaining sub-counties in Lwengo without power will be connected.

In education, Lwengo now hosts 132 government primary schools, nine government secondary schools, and multiple private institutions. The health sector has seen renovations at Kyazanga Health Centre IV, expansion of maternity wards at Kiwangala and Naanywa, and plans to upgrade Kisansala Health Centre II to a Health Centre III. Lwengo Health Centre IV is now equipped with a digital X-ray machine.

On economic empowerment, the President encouraged households to adopt the Four-Acre Model: “One acre for coffee, one for fruits, one for food crops, and one for pasture and livestock.” He also praised beneficiaries of the Masaka Presidential Skilling Hub, noting how skills training enables young people to create jobs and generate income.

Among them are Allan Mulira, trained in welding, who now runs his own enterprise and Noreen Nansumba, trained in bakery, now operating a poultry business and employing staff.

President Museveni also officially handed over NRM flags to aspiring MPs, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates in the district, endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections.

Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Speaker of Parliament, welcomed the President, praising his leadership and highlighting government projects including road upgrades, electricity expansion, and skilling initiatives.

Hon. Cissy Namujju, Lwengo Woman MP and NRM District Chairperson, detailed the district’s demographics and development achievements. She reported that 45 PDM SACCOs have received Shs16.056 billion, with 86.22% disbursed to 14,175 households. She also noted that 54 Emyooga SACCOs with 5,948 members have received Shs2.46 billion.

Education coverage is expanding, with 37 of 45 parishes having at least one government primary school and eight of ten sub-counties with government secondary schools. Two Seed Secondary Schools are under construction to ensure full coverage.

On water, Namujju said government plans include upgrading piped water systems and developing the Katovu Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System. Completed water-for-production projects such as valley tanks and irrigation sites in Kisekka, Lwengo Rural, and Keikolongo are supporting farming and livestock production.

The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, MPs, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters.