President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to reject corruption and uphold national interest over short-term financial incentives, which he warned could undermine democratic processes.
“Why should you be influenced and throw away your power to elect your desired candidate?” the President asked. “When someone brings you money to buy your vote, reject them. You have the power—don’t throw it away.”
The President made the remarks on Wednesday, 18th June 2025, while addressing a rally at Kituntu Sub-county in Mpigi District, marking the conclusion of his zonal tour of Greater Mpigi under the Parish Development Model (PDM) campaign.
He thanked the people of Mpigi for supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and reassured them that the government has put in place mechanisms to prevent electoral fraud.
Citing the use of biometric machines, he said the 2026 general elections will be safeguarded against vote rigging, referencing the 2021 elections where the opposition allegedly manipulated 2.7 million votes due to negligence by some NRM agents.
At the same event, President Museveni welcomed 184 new converts to the NRM from various political parties, emphasizing the party’s commitment to service and transformation over empty rhetoric.
The President’s tour included engagements with district leaders, PDM SACCO beneficiaries, and farmers across Mpigi, Butambala, and Gomba. These interactions were aimed at evaluating the impact of the PDM on household income and promoting sustainable local enterprises.
“I’m happy to be back in Kituntu after a long time,” President Museveni said, highlighting peace as one of the NRM’s greatest contributions. “Peace has enabled people to focus on wealth creation and national development.”
He also cited significant developments in education, recalling that in 1961 there were only six A-Level schools in the country, compared to the current 28 government A-Level schools in Greater Mpigi alone.
The President underscored the importance of citizens actively engaging in wealth creation, noting that while government infrastructure—such as roads, schools, and health facilities—is public, wealth remains a personal responsibility.
“You’ll return from this meeting to the same poverty you left at home unless you do something about it,” he said. “NRM is not in politics for a show. We are here to help you move out of poverty.”
He referenced successful PDM beneficiaries such as: Ms. Rashida Namubiru (Kasaka Village, Butambala), Ms. Namutebi Deborah (Kanoni Town Council, Gomba), and Hajji Muhammad Zziwa (Kamengo Sub-county, Mpigi), who are engaged in poultry farming and other productive ventures, showing that PDM can yield real transformation at the household level.
The President explained that each parish will receive UGX 100 million annually, totalling UGX 500 million in five years. With loan repayments starting in the third year, parish SACCOs could eventually grow to UGX 800 million, reducing reliance on moneylenders.
So far, a total of UGX 33.429 billion has been disbursed to 130 PDM SACCOs across Greater Mpigi: Mpigi: UGX 14.4 billion, Gomba: UGX 12.6 billion and Butambala: UGX 6.428 billion.
On job creation, the President emphasized that wealth creation is the most sustainable strategy, noting that only 480,000 government jobs exist for a population of 46 million. He cited the example of Hon. Fred Byamukama, Minister of State for Transport, whose farm employs over 26 workers, as a model for private-sector job creation.
In health, President Museveni announced plans to construct a district hospital in Mpigi in line with the NRM manifesto pledge to have a hospital in every district. He also encouraged parents to immunize children against killer diseases and called for vaccination of girls under nine against cervical cancer.
“I’m 80 years old now. Who has ever heard that Museveni is sick and admitted to the hospital?” he asked, attributing his good health to early prevention.
On HIV/AIDS, the President urged Ugandans to embrace abstinence and faithfulness to curb the spread of the virus.
Speaking at the same event, NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, rallied support for President Museveni’s candidacy in 2026 and urged voters to back all NRM flag bearers to reverse the 2021 election outcome in Buganda, where NRM secured only 31 out of 105 parliamentary seats.
The PDM zonal tours are part of the President’s broader strategy to uplift 3.5 million households from subsistence farming by 2026. Regions visited so far include Greater Masaka, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, Rwenzori, Ankole, Tooro, and Bunyoro.
The event was attended by senior government officials and party leaders, including Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua; Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba; Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo; Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation, Hon. Evelyn Anite; NRM Deputy Secretary General, Hon. Rose Namayanja; Chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto; Members of Parliament and local leaders.
