Kasese — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has kicked off his Rwenzori Sub-region campaign trail, addressing thousands of supporters at Nyakasanga Playground in Kasese Municipality and unveiling plans to construct an international airport in Kasese to boost tourism and regional connectivity.
Opening his address, the President highlighted several of the seven major contributions the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has delivered over the past 40 years, singling out peace, development, wealth creation, and job creation as the pillars that have transformed Uganda’s socio-economic landscape.
Museveni cited Kasese’s proximity to the conflict-stricken Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as evidence of Uganda’s relative stability. He noted that Uganda currently hosts 700,000 Congolese refugees, underscoring the contrast between Uganda’s security and ongoing instability in the DRC.
He added that groups that attempted to destabilise Kasese in the past were defeated, saying peace in Uganda “will remain like ripe bananas—you only see them but cannot touch or eat them.”
Infrastructure and Development Commitments
The President outlined extensive infrastructure investment in the sub-region, noting that major roads such as Fort Portal–Kasese, Katunguru–Ishaka, and Kikorongo–Bwera have been worked on, with the latter soon due for fresh reconstruction. He said additional works would follow on the Mityana–Kyegegwa Road and others.
Museveni criticised leaders who prioritise salary demands over critical infrastructure, arguing that strategic spending has enabled the government to deliver long road corridors such as Lyantonde–Kazo–Ibanda–Kamwenge.
He acknowledged that districts like Kasese and Ntungamo need more road machinery because their annual road fund allocations of Shs 1 billion are insufficient. He pledged that more equipment will be provided.
Electricity, Rail and the Kasese Airport Promise
The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring electricity in all districts and sub-counties, saying only Buvuma Island remains to be connected at the district level.
He revealed that the government has begun repairing the Malaba railway line, and that Kasese will receive a new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) instead of a repair of the old line.
In one of the biggest announcements of the day, Museveni pledged that the government will build an international airport in Kasese—following the Hoima airport—positioning it as a major driver of tourism and investment in the Rwenzori region.
Social Services and Wealth Creation
President Museveni said Kasese is performing well in education and health, with 260 government primary schools, 25 government secondary schools, and two public hospitals. He promised continued expansion and upgrading of facilities.
On wealth creation, he reiterated that development alone does not guarantee prosperity unless households engage in income-generating activities. He once again promoted the four-acre model, urging farmers to plant coffee, fruits, pasture, food crops, keep poultry or pigs, and adopt fish farming where feasible.
He cited the success of George Matongo of Ngoma, who earns Shs 21 million monthly from dairy farming, as evidence that prosperity is possible with proper enterprise selection. The President said only 30% of Ugandans remain outside the money economy and urged local leaders to help mobilise them.
Museveni also issued a stern warning regarding the alleged theft of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, saying he will order investigations and arrest those responsible.
Job Creation and Local Appeals
The President stressed that most employment opportunities come from commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services, not government. He said factories have created 1.3 million jobs, compared to 480,000 in the public sector, and encouraged youths to utilize skilling centres.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, who is also NRM’s 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female), thanked the President for maintaining peace in Kasese despite the volatile situation across the border. She appealed for the upgrade of Kasese Airfield into an international airport and applauded ongoing interventions along the River Nyamwamba.
Kasese District NRM Chairperson Mbahimba James praised the President for restoring peace and improving services, citing growth in schools, hospitals, safe water access, and household incomes through programs like PDM and Emyooga. He also raised concerns from communities in Lwehingo, Kabukero and Kyabatukura, requesting government action.
