President Museveni emphasised the need for leaders and communities to prioritise long-term development over short-term demands. (Credit: PPU)

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer, has pledged to tarmac the long-awaited 25.8km Bududa–Bubulo circular road linking the districts of Manafwa, Bududa and Namisindwa.

He committed earlier today (November 08)  during a campaign rally at Bukigai Primary School playground in Nangako Town Council, Bududa District. On the Bugisu subregion trail, the President was accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Natasha Karugire Museveni.

In response to some of the issues raised by the local leaders, the President noted that although the circular road has taken time, the government has now secured funds to complete it.

“We have been pushing for the Bubulo–Namisindwa–Bududa circular road. It was delayed, yes, but now we have the money and we are going to work on it,” he said.

Museveni recalled the electricity shortages Uganda faced in 2005 before decisive investment was made. “Because of that electricity, you can now see the industrial park in Mbale," he remarked. (PPU Photos)

President Museveni highlighted ongoing progress in Bududa, including the completed tarmac road from Mbale along the Bumbobi–Bubulo–Lwakhakha section, describing it as part of the wider economic infrastructure the NRM has been building for the last 40 years.

“I have come here to ask you to continue supporting the NRM because we do not just talk. We show results,” President Museveni said, drawing applause from the
crowd.

The first contribution of the NRM is peace, and you are witnesses to that. Development comes next. Electricity and roads are the backbone of transformation,” he said according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit PPU.

He recalled the electricity shortages Uganda faced in 2005 before decisive investment was made. “Because of that electricity, you can now see the industrial park in Mbale," he remarked.

President Museveni emphasised the need for leaders and communities to prioritise long-term development over short-term demands.

“Some things take time. You must guide your Members of Parliament on priorities. We recently had teachers striking for higher salaries, but we must first invest in what grows the economy,” he said.

The President also drew on history to illustrate Uganda’s transformation.

“In 1961, when I was at Ntare School, boys from Bugisu were coming there because the whole country had only six A-Level schools. Today, Bududa alone has more than 10 secondary schools. This is the steady progress of the NRM,” he said.

He cautioned the public not to confuse development with wealth creation, stressing that prosperity lies in engaging in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.
“Government jobs are only 480,000, yet we are 50 million people. Where will everyone work? Jobs come from factories, farms, hotels, transport and ICT,” he explained.

President Museveni also reaffirmed his commitment to quality free education.

“I introduced UPE in 1996 because I wanted every child to study. But some people did not implement it the way I wanted. Fees in government schools remain the real enemy, pushing children out of school.”

To bridge the skills gap, the President pointed to the Presidential Skilling Hubs.

He celebrated testimonies of successful stories, such as that of Cathy from the Bugisu Zonal Industrial Hub, who trained in tailoring and used her start-up capital to open a workshop in Bududa.

“She said the programme gave her life meaning. These are the gains we must protect,” he said.

At the same rally, Museveni summarised the core pillars of the NRM manifesto.

“In our seven-point programme, I have reminded you of four today: peace, development, wealth and jobs. These are the foundations that will secure the future of our people.”

He later handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Bududa District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections.

The Speaker of Parliament also the Second National Vice Chairperson-NRM, Rt.  Anita Among thanked the President for compensating families affected by past landslides in Bududa.

The NRM Chairperson for Bududa, Mr. Mukwana Wekhola Kolota, welcomed the President on behalf of the district’s 268,970 residents, praising his visionary leadership and patriotism, which he said had transformed communities across the country.

He outlined government achievements under the PDM programme.

“Bududa District, with 160 parishes, has cumulatively received Shs 48.8 billion since 2020/21. Of this, 97.5 percent has gone directly to 47,647 beneficiary households, representing 62.8 percent coverage,” he said.

“PDM has changed the lives of our people. We are now supplying cows and beef to eastern Uganda and even Kampala. That is because of your support, Your Excellency.”

NRM impact in Bududa

Bududa District currently has 89 government primary schools, 8 government secondary schools, with an enrollment of 10,507, with the construction of 3 seed secondary schools underway.

In the health sector, Bududa has one hospital, one HCIV and ten HCIIIs. The government plans to upgrade Nabweya HCII to HCIII and construct new HCIIIs in several town councils and sub-counties to improve service delivery.

Water access stands at an impressive 99 percent coverage across villages, with several piped water systems completed in Bududa Town Council, Bududa Hospital and other communities. Additional systems are planned for Nangako Town Council and Shokholo.

The district is also benefiting from irrigation schemes such as the Namaistu Irrigation Project, with expansions underway to boost agricultural productivity.

Bududa is fully connected to the national electricity grid.

The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.