Kakumiro —Ssabalwanyi (Chief Fighter) Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ended decades of conflict in Uganda, restoring peace that has enabled the country to focus on development and wealth creation.
Ssabalwanyi is a Luganda term meaning “Chief Fighter,” “Fighter Among Fighters,” or “the apex of fighters,” used notably by President Museveni as a personal title reflecting his military background and role as a leader who led the bush war.
Addressing a massive rally at Kakeeta Playground in Kakumiro District on Monday as he concluded his week-long campaign tour of the Bunyoro sub-region, President Museveni said peace remains the NRM’s greatest achievement since taking power in 1986.
“When we came into government, even before that, Uganda was in endless wars. The NRM finished all that, and now we have total peace,” President Museveni said, drawing applause from thousands of supporters.
The President, who is also the NRM national chairman and the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2026 elections, said ending armed conflict created a stable environment for investment, service delivery and long-term planning across the country.
“Because of peace, we have been able to plan, attract investors and extend services to all regions, including those that were previously marginalised,” he said.
Museveni noted that peace has allowed government to prioritise infrastructure development, citing improvements in roads, electricity, schools and health facilities in Kakumiro and the wider Bunyoro sub-region.
He announced plans to upgrade and construct key roads, including the Kazo–Kabagore–Kyegegwa–Karuguza road and the Kisiita–Nkooko–Masode–Ntwetwe road linking Kakumiro to Kiboga. “All those roads will be worked upon,” he pledged.
The President also acknowledged gaps in education and health services, announcing the upgrading of Kakumiro Health Centre IV to a general hospital and plans to establish new Health Centre III facilities in underserved sub-counties.
On wealth creation, Museveni said peace alone is not enough unless households are supported to generate income.
He pointed to government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as deliberate efforts to move families from subsistence to commercial production. “NRM does not only tell you what to do to get out of poverty, but also supports you,” he said.
The Kakumiro rally marked the final stop of Museveni’s Bunyoro campaign, which covered Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kagadi and Kikuube districts.
