A cold breeze swept across the Saaza Grounds in Kisoro on Monday morning as an elderly woman, wrapped in a bright kitenge shawl, raised her walking stick above the cheering crowd. She had waited for hours. When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni finally stepped onto the podium, she leaned forward and murmured to her neighbour, “This peace is the reason we are here.”
Her words captured the tone of the day, a rally built on memory, gratitude, and a call to safeguard what the NRM describes as Uganda’s hard-won gains.
President Museveni, the flagbearer for National Resistance Movement (NRM) party launched his first campaign rally in western Uganda with an appeal for continuity, urging Ugandans to support the NRM as the 2026 elections draw closer. He addressed thousands who filled the vast grounds of Kisoro District, marking a decisive start to his regional tour.
He said the campaign theme, “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into a High Middle-income Status,” reflects the need for discipline, stability, and household wealth creation in the next phase of Uganda’s development.
“The reasons we are here are to ask you to support the National Resistance Movement and to give you the reasons why,” President Museveni said.
“People move around saying, ‘support me, support me,’ but ask them what they have done for the country.”
He reminded the crowd of crises Uganda once faced. “Uganda has had many problems, sugar shortages, cement, salt, clothes, but we have solved many of them. Most of the work has been done by the NRM,” he said, to loud applause.
Seven Contributions and a Call for Continuity
President Museveni outlined the seven contributions he credits to the NRM, placing peace at the centre. He told Kisoro residents that they, more than most, understand peace because they once lived on the edge of a volatile border.
“You, the people of Kisoro, know the importance of peace,” he said.
He pointed to major improvements in transport, electricity, communication, and education. He listed upgrades on routes from Kampala to Mbarara and Kisoro, and pledged completion of the Kabale–Kisoro–Mgahinga National Park road and the Kisoro–Muko–Rukiri–Katoojo road.
He praised Kisoro’s education growth, noting 136 government primary schools and 14 government secondary schools offering USE and UPOLET. But he expressed concern that 26 of the district’s 71 parishes still lack government primary schools.
“There are parishes with more than one government primary school, leaving 26 without. This is not good,” he said. “Government schools should be distributed fairly.”
At the secondary level, 10 out of 24 sub-counties still have no government school.
Wealth Creation as a Household Priority
President Museveni shifted to his longtime message about the difference between development and personal wealth.
“We have tarmac roads up to Bunagana and Cyanika to Kabale, but people don’t sleep on the road,” he said.
“That is why NRM emphasises wealth creation for every household.”
He used the story of George Matongo from Nakaseke, who produces 900 litres of milk daily, earning about Shs 21 million a month. “Development may still be lacking, but wealth is there,” the President said. “That is why we tell you to create wealth, and the tarmac road will find you.”
He revisited the 4-acre model, urging households to embrace coffee, fruits, dairy, poultry, piggery, and fish farming.
He cited Joseph Basangwa from Kamuli, once an aspiring politician, now a major poultry farmer. “Basangwa is selling 110,000 eggs a day, earning Shs 20 million daily,” President Museveni said. “He listened to our message… and now he employs 300 people.”
Jobs, Industry, and Youth Skills
The President noted that Uganda’s fast-growing job sectors include commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT. He praised industrialisation for employing 1.3 million Ugandans, compared to 480,000 on the government payroll.
He pointed to the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park, which hosts over 75 factories, as evidence of the NRM’s manufacturing strategy.
He also highlighted youth trained under Presidential Skilling Hubs, many of whom now run small businesses in welding, carpentry, tailoring, bakery, leather design, and construction.
“With your support, we shall consolidate the achievements and continue transforming Uganda,” he said.
NRM Leaders Rally Behind the President
Several NRM leaders accompanied the President and echoed the call for unity ahead of the 2026 elections.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa called the decision to start the western campaign in Kisoro “a sign of love.”
Hon. Asiimwe Jonard, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, said the region remains firmly behind the party.
“The gains in western Uganda are many. We are going to support the party as children of NRM,” he said.
The rally drew a strong delegation of NRM heavyweights, including Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, CEC members, Cabinet ministers, MPs, and prominent Kisoro figures such as Gen. Kale Kayihura and King Ceasor Mulenga.