President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday crossed into the Bunyoro Sub-region, launching his campaign engagements from Kibaale District, where he credited peace, infrastructure development and household wealth creation as the pillars sustaining the region’s transformation.
Addressing a massive rally in Kibaale after travelling from Kyenjojo, Museveni said Bunyoro’s progress today stands in sharp contrast to earlier doubts about development, noting that unity, not sectarianism, has been the National Resistance Movement’s guiding principle.
Security Maintained Despite ADF Threats
The President assured residents that peace in Kibaale and the wider Bunyoro region remains firm, despite attempted attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces in the Muzizi Forest.
He said all the incursions were defeated, allowing communities to continue economic activities uninterrupted.
Museveni attributed the sustained calm to disciplined security forces and cooperation between the government and citizens.
Bisaka Credited for Promoting Unity
Museveni specifically thanked the Sect of Owobusobozi Bisaka for promoting unity among believers, emphasizing that the NRM does not organise politics along religious lines.
“In the NRM, we focus on unity, not religion,” Museveni said, noting that cohesion has been key to stability and development in Bunyoro.
The President said unity has enabled the government to implement infrastructure and service delivery programmes across the region without division.
Bunyoro’s Infrastructure Shift
Reflecting on the region’s past scepticism about development, Museveni pointed to visible infrastructure gains stretching from Kafu to Masindi and from Busunju to Hoima.
He said once impassable roads are now tarmacked, opening up trade, improving mobility and supporting industrial growth across Bunyoro.
Wealth Versus Development: Museveni’s Message to Households
Museveni urged residents to clearly distinguish between development and wealth creation, warning that public infrastructure alone does not automatically translate into household income.
He cited the example of Mrs. Deziranta Tumusiime of Rubirizi District, who at the age of 64 had never earned a meaningful income despite living in an area with tarmac roads since 1963.
Her situation only changed after accessing Shs 1 million under the Parish Development Model, which enabled her to start an income-generating activity.
“Development can exist, but wealth requires personal effort at the household level,” Museveni told the crowd.
Kibaale’s Growing Population and Electoral Strength
According to the 2024 national census, Kibaale District has a population of 237,649 people spread across 14 sub-counties and town councils, 57 parishes and 312 villages.
In the 2021 presidential elections, Kibaale had 68,857 registered voters, with a turnout of 63.3 percent. Museveni polled 84.8 percent of the vote.
By 2025, registered voters have increased to 88,146, an addition of 19,289 voters while polling stations have grown from 156 to 220, reflecting population growth and expanded electoral participation.
PDM and Emyooga Expanding Household Incomes
Under the Parish Development Model, Kibaale’s 57 parishes have cumulatively received Shs 20.38 billion, with 86 percent already disbursed to 17,550 beneficiary households.
This represents 31.4 percent of the district’s 55,887 households, with enrollment continuing for the remaining families.
The Emyooga programme has also taken root in the district, with 36 SACCOs comprising 8,915 members and a total government disbursement of Shs 1.78 billion.
Education Access Improving, Gaps Still Remain
Kibaale District has 51 government primary schools enrolling 23,416 pupils and five government secondary schools serving 2,170 students under Universal Secondary Education and Universal Post-O-Level Education.
However, 18 of the district’s 57 parishes still lack a government primary school, while only five of the 14 sub-counties host a government secondary school.
Government is addressing these gaps through the construction of two Seed Secondary Schools, which will expand access and reduce long-distance travel for learners.
Health Infrastructure Set for Expansion
Health service coverage in Kibaale includes one HCIV and seven HCIIIs, with eight sub-counties having a facility of HCIII level or higher.
Government plans include upgrading Bubango HCII to HCIII and constructing new HCIIIs in Karama, Kayanja, Bwamiramira, Kabasekende and Nyamarunda sub-counties.
Out of 312 rural villages, 246 now have access to safe water, representing 79 per cent coverage.
Major completed projects include deep boreholes, piped water systems and town council water and sanitation schemes serving tens of thousands of residents in Kibaale and Nyamarunda.
Additional piped water systems, borehole rehabilitation and sanitation facilities are ongoing, with plans to further expand coverage to underserved villages.
Solar-powered irrigation schemes in Mugarama and Kyebando sub-counties are already generating tangible income for farmers through passion fruit and tomato production, collectively earning tens of millions of shillings annually.
These projects, Museveni said, demonstrate how infrastructure combined with household effort creates real wealth.
Kibaale District is now connected to the national electricity grid, with plans to extend power to Bwamiramira Sub-county in the next term, which remains unconnected.
Museveni said electricity access will further support agro-processing, small industries and service delivery.
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