On a breezy afternoon at Rwere Playground, an elderly tea farmer lifted a handful of dry leaves and let them slip through his fingers as he told a younger grower beside him, “What we need is support before the harvest.” Minutes later, President Yoweri Museveni stepped onto the stage with a promise that answered that concern directly: a new loan scheme for large-scale farmers in Kanungu.
President Museveni announced that government would introduce an affordable financing programme targeting farmers growing tea, coffee and cocoa. He said the loans would help them buy fertilizers and repay the money through their SACCOs after selling their produce.
“What we are going to do is provide a loan scheme for tea farmers to buy fertilizers,” he said. “This will be for large-scale farmers, those growing especially tea, cocoa, coffee. You buy fertilizers and once you harvest and sell, you return the money to the SACCO.”
The President addressed thousands of residents who filled the playground, joined by senior NRM leaders and First Daughter Patience Rwabwogo. He reminded the gathering that peace remained one of the NRM’s most significant achievements, especially for border communities like those in Kanungu.
“The first contribution is peace, and for the people of Kanungu, we shouldn’t waste time explaining what peace means,” he said. “You are near the border with the DRC and you know what it is to live in insecurity. But all that was resolved and you are now living peacefully.”
Museveni highlighted infrastructure works across the district, noting the ongoing construction of the Ntungamo–Rukungiri–Kanungu–Ishasha road. He said government would also upgrade the Hamugwa–Kerere–Kanungu–Buhoma–Butogota–Hamayanja–Mpasha–Ikundya road and the Ishasha–Katuna route.
He pointed to the 22 government secondary schools and 136 primary schools in Kanungu as signs of expanded social services. But he cautioned residents not to depend on infrastructure alone for prosperity.
“Even if we tarmac the roads, you will not sleep on them,” he said. “First sort household income; the rest will be worked on by government.”
The President revisited the four-acre model, which he introduced in the 1990s to promote diversified wealth creation for families with small landholdings. He said the approach remained relevant for farmers seeking sustainable income.
Museveni also recalled the early days of tea planting in Uganda.
“I am the one who introduced tea planting,” he said. “I learnt that from some Indian farmers and together with Amama Mbabazi and Jackie Mbabazi, we started planting tea.”
He noted that Uganda’s tea production had grown from 3 million bags to 60 million bags, although fertilizer use remained a challenge for many growers.
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi endorsed Museveni’s leadership and reminded residents of their shared history in the NRM.
“I’m one of those people who started this party,” he said. “Mr Museveni has led us through difficult times to where we are now. We are the key witnesses of the transformation he has taken Uganda through.”
Mbabazi added: “Museveni is the best leader who has taken us through mountains and valleys.”
He also delivered a message from former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who agreed that Museveni remained “the best candidate.”
Residents responded with applause as leaders repeated the message that development, security and agricultural productivity would define Kanungu’s future.