Sheema — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Chairperson and flagbearer for the 2026 elections, on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, intensified his campaign trail with a major rally in Sheema District—defending the NRM’s legacy on peace, unity and development while unveiling fresh commitments for the district and the country.
Addressing thousands of supporters at Kabwohe Playground, and accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President reiterated that Uganda’s progress is anchored in the NRM’s longstanding emphasis on stability and non-sectarian politics.
He argued that Uganda’s transformation from turmoil to economic growth was achieved by dismantling tribal and religious divisions and building a patriotic, national army.
Recalling his recent Parish Development Model (PDM) tours, Museveni described scenes of Ugandans freely socialising in village centres late into the evening as proof of the peace ushered in by the NRM.
“People were enjoying themselves at 9 pm—drinking and happy. That is what they call peace,” he said. “But many did not know where that peace came from. It came from the good leadership of the NRM.”
He contrasted this with pre-1986 Uganda, which he said was crippled by sectarian politics that stunted development.
“There is no other party that would garner 50 per cent of the vote until the NRM brought unity of religions and tribes and gave affirmative action to women,” he said, stressing that unity forged a political force strong enough to secure the nation.
Museveni urged Ugandans to continue supporting the “resistance way,” which he described as grounded in prioritisation and long-term planning—unlike past regimes that collapsed after attempting to solve everything at once.
“The beauty is that God loves the NRM, and He has been granting us more solutions with time. For instance, the discovery of oil,” he said. “By next year, we shall be using oil money for infrastructure.”
He then announced a slate of road upgrades in Sheema once oil revenues begin flowing, promising to tarmac the Buzibwera–Nyakambu–Busiika–Nyakashaka–Nyakabiriizi–Kabwohe–Bugongi and Kitagata roads. The pledge drew thunderous applause.
Museveni also highlighted improvements in electricity, education, water supply and health services in Sheema, while acknowledging gaps that the government plans to close as resources expand. Out of the district’s 619 villages, he was informed that 487 have safe water—79% coverage—leaving 132 villages unserved. He also noted the presence of 133 government primary schools and 17 secondary schools.
On health, Museveni said Sheema’s 15 sub-counties are served by one hospital, two Health Centre IVs and 12 Health Centre IIIs, with one sub-county lacking any government health facility. He pledged a new HCIII for Masheruka Sub-County and said the government would consider a district hospital.
The President devoted a significant portion of his speech to clarifying the difference between government-led development and personal wealth creation. Public goods like roads and electricity, he said, enable wealth—but households must seize the opportunities through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, ICT and services.
“That’s why we told you to differentiate between development and wealth,” he said, citing examples of entrepreneurs thriving far from major highways. These included George Matongo of Ngoma, who sells 900 litres of milk a day, earning about Shs 21 million monthly, and Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli, who earns roughly Shs 20 million daily from poultry.
Museveni again promoted his 4-acre model, encouraging farmers with small plots to diversify crops and livestock, while using backyards for poultry and piggery. He also assured tea farmers that the government would stabilise prices and introduce a financing scheme, similar to PDM, to help them buy fertilisers and inputs. “The funds will go crop by crop, including cocoa,” he said.
On unemployment, Museveni said government jobs—only 480,000—cannot absorb the labour force. He pointed to the private sector, which employs far more Ugandans, including 12,000 workers in just one square mile at Mbale Industrial Park.
He also praised the Presidential Skilling Hubs, citing testimonies from Sheema youth such as Nimusiima Ritah, a tailoring graduate who now owns a business employing two people, and Kakuru Polly, a hairdressing graduate who also manages her own salon.
Museveni issued a stern warning against the embezzlement of PDM funds, saying he would order arrests for officials who steal money meant for poor households. Sheema District has so far received Shs 24.9 billion under PDM, with Shs 21.47 billion disbursed to 22,062 households—just 37.8% of the district total.
Maama Janet Museveni thanked residents for their support and urged them to vote overwhelmingly for her husband and the NRM.
NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, praised Sheema’s loyalty and described the rally as a “classroom” where the President continues to teach the nation.
The event was attended by senior government and party officials, including Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, NRM CEC members, ministers and veteran party supporters.
