President Museveni has urged the people of the Busoga sub-region to reject disunity and politics based on identity, stressing that such approaches go against the values of his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Museveni made these comments during a meeting with a delegation from the sub-region at the State Lodge in Nakasero, Kampala.
The gathering included leaders, mobilisers, government officials, religious figures, informal sector groups, and private sector representatives from Busoga, led by Faruk Kirunda, the deputy presidential press secretary.
Museveni praised Kirunda for his dedicated service to the government and Ugandans, without favouring any tribe or religion. “This is what leaders are supposed to do and not to divide the people or to promote sectarianism,” the president said.
Museveni highlighted the government’s efforts to develop Busoga, countering claims that little has been done. He pointed to new factories in areas like Jinja, Njeru, and Masese, aimed at boosting growth.
On infrastructure, he noted improvements to roads such as the Jinja-Kamuli route, Musita-Mayuge-Busia Road, and Iganga-Mbale. He promised that the Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli and Kimaka-Mbulamuti-Kamuli roads would soon be tarmacked.
Museveni encouraged locals to make good use of government funding schemes to combat poverty. These include the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga (a savings and credit programme for groups), and SACCOs (savings and credit cooperatives).
“The government has injected a lot of funds into these initiatives,” he said, urging leaders to monitor their performance and ensure people benefit to improve their lives.
On electricity, Museveni explained that more households in Busoga now have power thanks to new dams beyond the original Owen Falls Dam and an expanded national grid reaching all regions.
During the meeting, two candidates stepped aside in support of NRM flag-bearers: Resty Namutamba withdrew from the Luuka Woman MP race for Annet Nabirye, and Jafari Basajabalaba pulled out of the LC5 race in Bushenyi district for Prosper Tumwebaze. Museveni commended them for aligning with NRM principles of unity.
The President also asked religious leaders to promote peace and unity among their followers. He reminded them that the NRM brought stability after a liberation struggle, in which some Busoga people participated, and urged them to warn youth against actions that could cause unrest.
“Vote for leaders who promote unity amongst our people but not divisionism,” he added, wishing for peaceful elections.
Museveni thanked Kirunda for organising the event and promoting unity nationwide. The Minister for the Presidency, Babirye Milly Babalanda, expressed gratitude for the president’s time. Kirunda assured Museveni that the Busoga delegation would work together for the region’s development and stability, including support for informal sectors and vendors through State House initiatives.
Religious leaders, represented by the Inter-Religious Council and Bishop Paul Naimanhye Mukembo, pledged to collaborate with the government. They promised to discourage identity politics and encourage participation in poverty-reduction programmes. Mukembo thanked Museveni for the meeting and noted that Uganda’s peace allows free worship.
