President Museveni who is also the NRM presidential candidate addressing a campaign rally at Namisindwa Technical Institute grounds in Namisindwa district on Saturday. (PPU Photo)

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has rallied residents of Namisindwa district to back the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in next year’s general elections, saying the party’s achievements have transformed Uganda from chaos to stability.

Addressing a large gathering in the district on November 8, 2025, the President highlighted the NRM’s four major pillars—peace, development, household wealth and job creation—and added free education as a fifth cornerstone of his government’s legacy.

President Museveni who is also the NRM presidential candidate waves to some of the Bugisu political leaders on his arrival at Namisindwa Technical Institute grounds in Namisindwa district to address his campaign rally. (PPU photo)

“You find politicians telling you that jobs come from the government. When you hear that the government has more jobs than the economy, then you know that it is a backward country,” he said, urging people to focus on commercial agriculture, manufacturing and services for job creation.

Peace and development

Museveni said peace and unity remain the foundation of Uganda’s progress since 1986.

“It was not easy to bring peace to Uganda, but because we believe in unity and not sectarianism, we have built strong institutions like the army, police, prisons and intelligence services that can guard the peace,” he said.

President Museveni who is also the NRM presidential candidate addressing a campaign rally at Namisindwa Technical Institute grounds in Namisindwa district on Saturday. (PPU Photo)

He reminded residents that Uganda, once a country producing refugees, now hosts refugees from across the region, which he said demonstrates the nation’s transformation.

The President cited the tarmacking of the Mbale–Lwakhakha road and plans to extend it from Magale to Namisindwa Central as signs of progress. He also promised to work on the Bubulo–Budadiri road, which he said was already funded.

Social services

On education, he reaffirmed government’s commitment to free learning and called for an end to school charges. “Since 1986, I have been insisting on free education. But some people bring school charges, and pupils drop out. I want to show you that free education is possible,” he said.

The President revealed that Namisindwa has 95 government primary schools and eight government secondary schools, but many parishes and sub-counties remain underserved. Three new seed schools are under construction to close this gap.

President Museveni presents the NRM party flag to Hon John Musila, the NRM flagbearer for Bubulo East County during a rally in Namisindwa on Saturday. (PPU Photo)

He also outlined plans to improve health services, noting that 19 of the district’s 29 sub-counties lack health facilities. Several health centre IIs will be upgraded to health centre IIIs, and new facilities built in 14 sub-counties.

On water and electricity, the President said projects are underway to expand piped water and extend electricity distribution.

Wealth creation and jobs

Museveni devoted much of his speech to wealth creation, stressing that development alone does not eradicate poverty. “You may have development, but if you don’t have guidance, poverty will remain in your families,” he said.

He reviewed programmes from Entandikwa to the Parish Development Model (PDM), which he said had disbursed sh50.1 billion to 51,113 households in Namisindwa.

He cited success stories of farmers who have grown from smallholders to major producers and earn millions annually.

President Museveni poses for a photo with some of the State House Industrial skilling hub beneficiaries from Namisindwa district during his campaign rally in the district on Saturday. (PPU Photo)

“Use the money we send you to get out of poverty. We shall continue sending that money,” he said, promising new funds for religious and cultural leaders and unemployed graduates.

The President said wealth creation drives job growth. “There are only 480,000 jobs in government, yet we have a population of 50 million. How can we all work for the government?” he asked, citing examples of Ugandans who employ others through farming and enterprises.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among praised Museveni for boosting cross-border trade with Kenya. “Even a blind person can see what you have done for Uganda,” she said.

NRM vice chairperson for the eastern region, Calvin Echodu, called for the completion of the Lwakhakha one-stop border point and the construction of more roads to enhance trade. 

NRM party flagbearers for Naminsindwa district pose for a photo with President Museveni during a campaign rally in Namisindwa on Saturday. (PPU Photo)

District chairperson Aramazan Wabuko thanked the President for his leadership and appealed for youth empowerment and a reduction in the SAGE age limit.

Namisindwa, a consistent NRM stronghold, gave Museveni 73.3% of the vote in 2021. The district now has 257,346 residents and over 116,000 registered voters.

The President will on Monday, November 10, conclude his Bugisu tour with a rally in Mbale before heading to Sebei sub-region.