Buikwe District — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for deeper collaboration between local communities and police forces to preserve Uganda’s decades-long peace, warning that rural petty crime poses a growing threat to wealth creation.
Speaking at a public rally at St. Cornelius Playground in Kalagala Village, Buikwe District, the President emphasized that Uganda’s transformation is anchored in hard-won stability. “Peace didn’t come by accident. We built a strong army in the 1980s to protect Uganda, and that foundation has enabled the country to develop,” he said.
Museveni raised concern over increasing rural crimes—such as theft of livestock, poultry, and crops—which he said undermine household progress. He cited the Masaka “bijambiya” killings as a turning point in Uganda’s crime-fighting strategy, where close coordination between police, K9 units, and citizens led to arrests.
“That model must be replicated countrywide. Every home should have the contact of the sub-county police, and those numbers must be toll-free,” he emphasized.
He recalled a tragic incident in Masaka where delayed police notification led to the deaths of five people. In contrast, he praised a quick police response that saved a nurse in Lukaya from a violent gang.
“These killers are not special. What they took advantage of was our disorganization,” Museveni said, urging the public to preserve crime scenes, avoid tampering with evidence, and allow trained officers and dogs to lead investigations. He warned that moving forward, suspects involved in violent crimes would not be granted police bond.
Development Alone Is Not Enough
The President also stressed that infrastructure—such as roads, schools, and electricity—must be matched with household-level economic empowerment. “Development is for all, but wealth is personal. Roads are shared by everyone, but you must use your land and resources to generate income,” he said.
Museveni revisited his Four Acre Model, advocating for intensive agriculture to maximize returns on small land holdings. He outlined a strategy involving coffee, fruits, pasture for zero-grazing cows, and food crops, alongside backyard poultry, piggery, and fish farming.
“One acre of coffee can earn you Shs15 million a year. Fish farming on one acre can bring up to Shs80 million,” he noted.
He reminded citizens that the Parish Development Model (PDM) is not free money, but a revolving community fund. “This is your bank, not a handout. Use the money wisely and repay it in two years so others can benefit. If you misuse it, you’re robbing your own community,” he cautioned.
Land Justice and Bibanja Tenants
Taking a firm stance on land injustice, Museveni condemned illegal evictions and emphasized protection for bibanja tenants. “The land belongs to the people. Chasing them is illegal and colonial. We’ll ensure that ground rent is paid through sub-county offices to stop exploitation,” he said.
President Museveni announced financial support of Shs30 million each to local Youth and Women SACCOs.
He was joined at the rally by several top officials, including Hon. Diana Mutasingwa, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President and Buikwe Woman MP, who thanked the President for supporting sugarcane farmers by signing the Sugarcane Bill into law.
She also applauded key government investments in Buikwe, including: Shs10 billion for construction of the District Headquarters, Shs1.3 billion for an irrigation scheme and Budgeting for the Lugazi–Kiyindi–Buikwe road project.
However, she appealed to the President to urgently address the needs of Lake Victoria fishing communities.
Other dignitaries present included Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, Government Chief Whip; Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda; Hon. Haruna Kasolo, Minister of State for Micro-Finance; and Ms. Jane Barekye, State House Comptroller.
