Under a gray December sky, thousands of supporters braved heavy rains at Mirembe Muslim Primary School in Kitanda Subcounty, Bukomansimbi District, to hear President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni speak. The gathering was not only a show of political support but a reminder of the value of peace that Uganda has maintained for decades.
Addressing the rally, Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer for 2026, described Uganda as a safe haven for refugees. He attributed this hospitality to enduring peace and stability.
“Some of our neighbouring countries are still at war, and Uganda is hosting about 2 million refugees. Peace must be protected,” he said.
Museveni praised Bukomansimbi residents for attending the rally despite heavy rain, calling them “children of fighters who don’t play around.” He reflected on Uganda’s history, noting that even before European arrival, wars among kingdoms had occurred, and that the peace enjoyed today should not be taken for granted.
He commended local farmers for their coffee production and pledged support through micro-irrigation projects to increase yields in the district’s dry areas.
On infrastructure, Museveni highlighted ongoing and planned road projects. He cited the Mpigi–Kanoni–Madu–Sembabule–Bukomansimbi–Masaka road as a breakthrough and promised that the Sembabule–Matete–Mbirizi and Matete–Kibinge–Kyabakuza roads would be upgraded to improve trade and access.
Encouraging residents to embrace wealth creation, Museveni cited Dr. Florence Muranga from Bushenyi, who harvests 53 tonnes of bananas per acre through irrigation, far above the district average of 5 tonnes. He emphasized that development alone cannot eliminate poverty, urging citizens to take personal initiative.
“I bought land at my Kisozi farm in 1990 when there were no roads or electricity. By the time development came, I was already wealthy,” he said.
On utilities, the President said electricity now reaches most of Bukomansimbi, with plans to extend it to all sub-counties and villages. He also noted that more than 80% of residents have access to clean water.
The President officially handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates in Bukomansimbi, endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections.
Bukomansimbi District NRM Chairperson and National Chairperson of the NRM League for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Shafik Mwanje, welcomed Museveni and described the district as peaceful, with farmers benefiting from coffee production. He appealed for road upgrades, citing the Kagologolo–Bulenge–Kigangazi–Lukaya and Kyabakuza–Buyoga–Matete roads as critical for efficient transport of produce.
Health services also featured prominently. Mwanje requested the upgrade of Bukomansimbi Health Centre IV to a district hospital, noting it serves neighbouring districts and faces constant pressure.
Bukomansimbi has a population of 197,568 across 9 sub-counties, 39 parishes, and 254 villages. Under the Parish Development Model (PDM), 12,056 households have received funding, while 36 Emyooga SACCOs support small-scale enterprises with Shs 1.58 billion disbursed.
Education infrastructure includes 73 government and 99 private primary schools, and 7 government and 16 private secondary schools, with 4,635 students enrolled under Universal Secondary Education and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training. However, 17 parishes lack a government primary school, and 4 sub-counties lack a government secondary school.
Health services remain uneven, with only one Health Centre IV and three Health Centre IIIs among nine sub-counties. Government plans include upgrading Bigasa HCIII to HCIV, Kigangazi HCII to HCIII, and constructing new Health Centre IIIs in several areas. Ongoing works include a theatre, surgical ward, maternity unit at Butenga HCIV, and an OPD block at Bigasa HCIII.
In the water sector, 89.4% of rural villages have access to safe water, supported by piped systems, wells, and the Lutugunda Valley Tank for livestock and dry-season resilience. Irrigation initiatives include the Makoomi solar-powered scheme and the upcoming Mijumwa earth dam with 2.8 million cubic metres capacity.
On electricity, six of nine sub-counties are connected to the national grid, with plans to extend power to Bukango, Butenga, and Kagologolo Town Council.
The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters.
