President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced that the government will establish a dedicated special fund to enable tea farmers in Kanungu District to access affordable fertilisers, saying the intervention will boost productivity and strengthen the district’s tea-driven economy.
Addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Rwere Playground in Kanungu District on Wednesday, 26th November, 2025, President Museveni, also the NRM Presidential flag bearer, said the high cost of fertilisers had become a major constraint for growers, especially those managing large estates.
“My people – the tea growers – are saying that the cost of fertilizers is too high and it is becoming unaffordable for large-scale growers. We are going to start a special fund for them so that they can easily access these fertilizers,” President Museveni said.
He added that the financing would be channeled through farmers’ SACCOs, similar to the model the government is preparing for sugarcane growers and fishermen.
Tea growing is the economic backbone of Kanungu District, supported by large factories that process both estate tea and out-grower leaf.
President Museveni noted that the crop is best suited for people with extensive acreage, just like maize, sugarcane, and cotton, which require substantial land to generate meaningful income.
For smallholder farmers, the President emphasized the 4-Acre Model, introduced in the 1996 NRM manifesto, as a proven pathway out of poverty.
At the same rally, President Museveni placed peace at the top of what he termed the “seven contributions of NRM”, arguing that national stability remains the most essential achievement of his leadership. He reminded residents of Kanungu – situated near the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – that they understand better the value of peace, given the insecurity that persists across the border.
“You, the people of Kanungu who are near the Congo border, know better what peace means,” he said, contrasting Uganda’s decades of stability with the turmoil faced by neighbouring countries.
The President said Uganda’s peace-building success was achieved without reliance on international forces.
“Uganda – we don’t need the United Nations to protect us. We do it ourselves because we emphasize prioritization of what is essential in defence and not high salaries or good houses,” he noted.
President Museveni credited the NRM government with transforming Uganda’s road network and linking border points to major economic routes. He announced that more roads in the Kigezi sub-region would be upgraded, including the 149-kilometre Hamurwa–Kerere–Kanungu–Butogota–Hamayanza–Ifasha–Ikunza stretch.
“We are going to work on that road,” he assured.
Local leaders had earlier thanked the President for the Rukungiri–Kanungu road, which they said had significantly improved trade and movement in the area.
Turning to the subject of household wealth creation, President Museveni warned against confusing government development projects, such as roads, electricity and schools, with personal prosperity.
Using a popular Busoga proverb, “Akange kakira akaife,” he explained that although public infrastructure benefits everyone, wealth remains a private responsibility.
“The tarmac road is ours, but wealth and poverty are yours personally,” he told the crowd. “You may leave a rally like this one and find poverty waiting for you at home.”
President Museveni cited long-tarmacked roads such as the Kabale–Mbarara–Masaka–Tororo highway, noting that despite the road’s longevity, many residents living along it remain poor. He stressed that while development enables economic opportunity, it does not guarantee wealth.
To illustrate his wealth creation message, the President showcased several success stories across Uganda. One of these is George Matongo of Nakaseke, who produces 900 litres of milk daily and earns over Shs 21 million every month, despite living far from a tarmac road.
“This man is far away from the tarmac road. Development is not there but wealth is there,” President Museveni said, noting the contrast between infrastructure and household productivity.
He also shared the story of Joseph Basangwa from Kamuli, who after listening to the NRM wealth message, started JEKA Farm on a 50×100 ft plot. The enterprise now produces 200 trays of eggs daily, generating Shs 20 million per day and Shs 7.2 billion annually. Basangwa now employs more than 300 people.
Another example was Mr. Dickson in Abim, Karamoja, who planted mangoes using seedlings from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). After harvesting, he earned over Shs 12 million in 2023 and now anticipates Shs 36 million annually as Soroti Fruit Factory has contracted his produce. He also invested PDM funds into goats and cassava.
“That man is in Karamoja—no tarmac road, but electricity is there. OWC was for the whole country, but some of you never minded about it,” he remarked.
The President underlined that Uganda’s real engine of employment is not government but commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. With a national population of 50 million, only about 480,000 jobs are within government structures.
“Factories in industrial parks now employ over 1.3 million people,” he said, citing Sino-Mbale, Kapeeka, and Mukono Industrial Parks as examples.
“The jobs in manufacturing and industrialization are three times more than those in government.”
On education, the President expressed disappointment with individuals who continue to frustrate free education in government schools. He reminded the audience that the government launched Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1996, followed by Universal Secondary Education (USE), yet many children are still being sent away over school fees.
To demonstrate that free education is possible, President Museveni said he had established 19 Presidential Skilling Hubs across the country to train youths who dropped out of school.
For Kanungu District, the regional hub for Kigezi is located in Kabale, offering training in tailoring, welding, baking, carpentry, automotive mechanics, and several other trades.
The President heard testimonies from beneficiaries, including Kushemererwa Bosco, who studied welding and now employs four people, and Flavia Akankunda, who trained in tailoring after dropping out of school due to fees.
Kanungu District, carved out of Rukungiri in 2001, comprises 27 sub-counties and town councils, 102 parishes, and 525 villages. According to the 2024 census, the district has a population of 310,062.
In the 2021 presidential election, Kanungu had 146,064 registered voters, of whom 60.5% turned up to vote. President Museveni garnered 72,126 votes (84.2%), while the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) scored 7.8%.
In 2025, the number of registered voters had risen to 164,992, while polling stations increased from 309 to 442.
Local NRM leaders thanked President Museveni for the Parish Development Model (PDM) project, which they said had significantly benefited the district. Kanungu has 102 parishes, 98 of which have received PDM funds, since four were created after the program’s launch.
To date, the district has received Shs 30.05 billion for PDM, of which 98.89% has been disbursed to 29,726 beneficiary households.
Through Emyooga, Kanungu has 36 SACCOs comprising 29,545 members, with the government releasing Shs 2.42 billion to support enterprise groups.
