President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, held a campaign rally in Rubanda District, where he outlined the NRM’s commitment to reinforcing peace, aggressively upgrading key infrastructure, and deepening household income initiatives as part of the party’s 2026–2031 Manifesto.
Security and Regional Stability
The President began by emphasising the foundational value of peace and stability, a sentiment deeply understood by communities in Kisoro and Rubanda due to their proximity to conflict areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He reminded residents that the NRM successfully secured this peace by defeating rebel groups like the LRA, stating firmly, “We must protect it.”
Infrastructure as a Pillar of Prosperity
Museveni highlighted infrastructure development, particularly road networks, as a major pillar for his next term. Citing the successful completion of the Kabale–Kisoro Road, he announced that the government has secured funding for the Katuna–Muko–Kamuganguzi Road.
He further assured residents that several other strategic routes crucial for tourism and market access will be upgraded, including: The Kisoro–Nkuringo–Buguri–Buko Road, The Kabale–Bunyonyi–Kisoro–Mgahinga route and The extensive Hamurwa–Kerere–Kanungu–Butogota–Buhoma/Ifasha–Ikumba stretch.
These projects, he noted, are designed to boost tourism, improve access to markets, and directly increase household incomes across the region.
The Gospel of Intensive Agriculture and ‘Ekibalo’
Reiterating a message he has championed since the 1960s, the President advocated strongly for intensive agriculture, especially for families with limited land.
He praised earlier cattle corridor communities who heeded his advice for economic transformation, noting their subsequent success in dairy farming.
Museveni then elaborated on the Four-Acre Model first introduced in the 1996 NRM Manifesto, stressing the need for ekibalo (calculation or commercial orientation): Acre 1: Coffee (potential annual income of Shs15 million), Acre 2: Fruits, Acre 3: Pasture (to support dairy cows), Acre 4: Food crops for the familyBackyard Enterprises: Poultry and for eggs, piggery (for non-Muslims), and fish farming near swamps, which he cited as highly lucrative, with one acre accommodating four ponds potentially yielding up to Shs80 million a year.
The Parish Development Model (PDM)
The President used the rally to address the Parish Development Model (PDM), firmly reminding beneficiaries that the funds are not giveaways but a community-owned, revolving investment. He stressed that misuse or failure to repay the community-owned funds—which are intended to uplift citizens from poverty—would deny others the chance to improve their livelihoods.
Progress and Requests
The rally featured endorsements for NRM candidates and speeches from local leaders. The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, thanked the President for significant service expansion in education, health, water, and electricity, but requested presidential enforcement to curb crime and theft in villages.
Former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda also welcomed the President to Kigezi and urged continued support for the NRM.
The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
