By Eye Media Uganda | Monday, November 24, 2025
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday, 24th November 2025, made a spirited appeal to Ugandans to rally behind the National Resistance Movement (NRM), emphasising the party’s role in securing peace, development, and socio-economic transformation over nearly four decades.
Addressing thousands of jubilant supporters at Saaza Grounds in Kisoro District, the NRM National Chairman and 2026 presidential flag bearer kicked off his first major rally in western Uganda as he intensified his re-election bid.
President Museveni, welcomed with thunderous chants from supporters who filled the expansive grounds, said the country still needs the NRM to consolidate the gains achieved and steer Uganda toward high middle-income status.
“The reasons we are here are to ask you to support the National Resistance Movement and to give you the reasons why,” he said.
He criticised leaders who seek support without demonstrating their contribution to the nation, reminding the crowd of Uganda’s past struggles with shortages of basic goods.
“Uganda has had many problems — sugar, cement, salt, clothes — but we have solved many of them. Most of the work has been done by the NRM,” he said.
The President reiterated the campaign theme, “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into a High Middle-Income Status,” saying Uganda’s next phase of transformation requires continuity, discipline, and a strong focus on household wealth creation.
President Museveni also outlined what he described as the seven major contributions of the NRM, beginning with peace, which he said is the cornerstone of all progress.
“You, the people of Kisoro, know the importance of peace,” he said, referencing the formerly volatile border region and praising residents for supporting government efforts to secure it.
On development, he cited improved transport, energy, communication, and education infrastructure, including road upgrades from Kampala to Mbarara and Kisoro. He pledged completion of the Kabale–Kisoro–Mgahinga National Park road and the Kisoro–Muko–Rukiri–Katoojo road.
The President noted the expansion of education in Kisoro, which now has 136 government primary schools and 14 government secondary schools under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training programmes. However, he expressed concern over unequal school distribution across the district’s 71 parishes, with 26 lacking a government primary school and 10 subcounties having no government secondary school.
Wealth Creation Message Re-Echoed
President Museveni revisited his long-standing distinction between development and wealth.
“We have tarmac roads up to Bunagana and Cyanika to Kabale, but people don’t sleep on the road,” he said, stressing that household wealth creation remains critical.
He highlighted success stories such as George Matongo of Ngoma, Nakaseke, who produces 900 litres of milk daily and earns about Shs 21 million monthly despite living far from tarmac.
“Development may still be lacking, but wealth is there,” he said.
He also cited poultry farmer Joseph Basangwa from Kamuli, who earns Shs 20 million daily from selling 110,000 eggs and employs 300 people.
“Basangwa listened to our message. I advised him to join wealth creation, and now he is a billionaire farmer,” President Museveni said.
The President reminded Ugandans that jobs come from four sectors — commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT. He pointed to industrial growth, including the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park with 75 factories, and the success of youth trained under Presidential Skilling Hubs.
He emphasised that Uganda has made tremendous progress but needs stability and continuity to maintain its transformation trajectory.
“With your support, we shall consolidate the achievements and continue transforming Uganda,” he said.
The Kisoro rally attracted top NRM leaders who echoed calls for unity and overwhelming support for the President in the 2026 elections.
Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among thanked President Museveni for transforming Uganda, saying northern and eastern regions had promised 90% support.
“I have travelled from Kabale to Kisoro on this road, and it is beautiful,” she said, urging Ugandans to vote NRM in appreciation of peace and development.
Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa described the decision to start western Uganda campaigns in Kisoro as “a sign of love,” while NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda Hon. Asiimwe Jonard reaffirmed the region’s strong support for the party.
The rally drew a powerful lineup of NRM heavyweights, including the Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, CEC members, Cabinet ministers, MPs, and prominent Kisoro personalities such as Gen. Kale Kayihura and King Ceasor Mulenga.
