Published on 11/12/2025
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued firm directives to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to move swiftly on land grabbing and the enforcement of the Sugar Act following complaints raised by local leaders during his campaign rally in Masindi District on Wednesday.
Addressing thousands of supporters, the President said persistent land conflicts in the district must be urgently resolved, instructing the Prime Minister to follow up on all reported cases and ensure culprits are dealt with decisively.
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He also tasked her with fast-tracking the implementation of the Sugar Act to protect sugarcane out-growers from exploitation and address disputes involving millers.
The rally was attended by Mrs. Natasha Museveni Karugire and several senior NRM leaders.
President Museveni also reassured residents that Masindi — historically a stronghold of the liberation struggle — will be prioritized for urban development once the new Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) program becomes operational in 2026.
The district missed out on earlier phases of the USMID program, a matter the President acknowledged as an oversight.
“Masindi supported us very much during the struggle… I realize Masindi was left out of the USMID program. Masindi will be considered,” he said in response to concerns raised by Masindi District NRM Chairperson, Hon. Kabakumba Masiko.
Kabakumba had highlighted the municipality’s lack of a modern market and poor urban roads, which she said continued to deny residents development opportunities.
The President announced several new interventions, including additional tractors to support agricultural mechanization and a new ferry on Lake Albert to ease trade and connectivity with neighboring districts.
He also appealed to residents to vote for him and all NRM flag bearers in the 2026 elections, emphasizing the party’s record in peace, development, and wealth creation.
“Uganda had wars, but they have now been finished… Without peace, nothing can be done,” he told the crowd.
Museveni outlined progress in Masindi’s infrastructure and social services, noting that 15 out of the district’s 18 sub-counties and the entire municipality are already connected to the national electricity grid.
In the next term, he promised to extend power to Katugo I, Bukooba II, and Katikara Sub-Counties.
On education, he noted that Masindi has 98 government primary schools and 11 government secondary schools, nine of which run USE and UPOLET.
He reaffirmed government plans to ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-county a secondary school.
He also announced upgrades in the health sector, pledging to elevate Bulima, Alimugonza, Labongo, and Nyabyeya Health Centre IIs to Health Centre III status, and to construct new HCIIIs in Kabango Town Council, Kigulya, and Kijunjubwa.
But while acknowledging significant progress, President Museveni expressed concern about water access.
Only 196 of Masindi’s 417 rural villages have safe water, leaving more than half without clean water sources.
The President urged households to embrace commercial agriculture under the four-acre model, warning that public infrastructure alone cannot lift families out of poverty.
“Development without wealth, development is useless,” he said, citing success stories of profitable dairy and poultry farmers who have transformed their livelihoods by making proper use of their land.
On national revenue prospects, he noted that Uganda’s first oil production—expected in 2026—would support the construction of major infrastructure but cautioned against relying solely on petroleum.
“Petroleum is an exhaustible resource, while commercial farming will be here forever,” he emphasized.
Museveni also expressed displeasure over reports of Parish Development Model (PDM) fund mismanagement. Of the Shs 20.35 billion allocated to Masindi Municipality and the district’s 57 parishes, Shs 17.49 billion has been disbursed to 17,609 households. He vowed to ensure every shilling reaches the intended beneficiaries.
The Speaker of Parliament and NRM 2nd National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, rallied Masindi to support NRM, noting that access to development resources depends on working with the government in power. She reaffirmed the need for a modern market in the municipality, a request she said came from the women of Masindi.
Prime Minister Nabbanja and NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, Hon. Asiimwe Jonard, also pledged overwhelming support for the President ahead of the 2026 elections.
The rally was attended by ministers, senior party leaders, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi, MPs, and several former leaders.
