President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has concluded his campaign tour of the Bukedi sub-region with a major rally at Buwanda Primary School playgrounds in Busia District, urging residents to leverage the district’s border position to champion regional integration and economic growth.
The NRM presidential candidate arrived to a massive crowd of supporters, marking the final stop in his Bukedi campaign schedule ahead of the 2026–2031 elections.
He encouraged voters to prioritize leaders who understand the strategic value of regional integration, saying it is essential for expanding markets, boosting trade, and safeguarding long-term regional security.
He explained that Uganda’s growing production capacity requires broader markets, noting that the NRM government has revived and strengthened the national economy over the years.
He said this recovery has resulted in surpluses across a range of commodities, and that such surpluses “can only be fully absorbed through broader regional markets.”
Given Busia’s unique position as a major gateway to Kenya and the wider East African Community, Museveni urged residents to promote unity and cooperation in their cross-border economic and social interactions.
He emphasised that Busia’s border dynamics place it at the centre of regional commerce, making integration more than a political ambition but a practical tool for household prosperity.
During the rally, Museveni revisited the progress made under the country’s wealth creation agenda, which has been a cornerstone of national policy since 1995.
He said the impact of the agenda can now be seen in initiatives such as the Four-Acre Model and the government’s wider socioeconomic empowerment programmes.
He stated that the core objective of the wealth creation drive is to build “a poverty-free country,” urging Busia residents to take advantage of ongoing empowerment interventions.
He outlined several profitable ventures available under the Four-Acre Model, encouraging households to adopt commercial agriculture as a pathway to improved livelihoods.
He highlighted that the model offers a practical plan for smallholder farmers to diversify and increase production while creating stable income streams.
The NRM presidential candidate also addressed ongoing infrastructure projects, promising to fast-track completion of additional tarmac roads in Busia District.
He noted that these would supplement existing roads such as the Busia–Tororo road via Buteba, which already serves as a key link for trade and transportation.
He said the new road works will complement other regional routes including the Jinja–Busia road, the Musita–Namayingo–Busia road, and the railway line currently undergoing maintenance.
On electricity access, Museveni informed supporters that full power connectivity has now been achieved across all 20 sub-county headquarters in Busia.
He described this as a major milestone in supporting value addition, small industries, and household development.
He reaffirmed government commitment to scaling up the Parish Development Model (PDM) to reach more community groups.
He cited successful PDM beneficiaries as evidence that the initiative is strengthening financial inclusion and boosting household incomes.
He called on Busia residents to seize job opportunities emerging from commercial agriculture and manufacturing, two sectors he said will be instrumental in transforming the region’s economic standing.
Museveni also revealed plans to upgrade health facilities in Busia, saying the district’s growing population requires expanded and modernised service delivery capacity.
He pledged continued government investment in education infrastructure, noting that Busia currently operates 117 government primary schools serving 86,000 pupils.
He added that the district also has 13 government secondary schools enrolling 11,164 students, underscoring the region’s importance in the national education landscape.
He urged parents and leaders to support the government in sustaining free universal education, explaining that education remains a critical pillar for Uganda’s long-term development.
He called for unity and peace, saying that stability is the foundation on which Busia and the entire country will continue to progress.
The rally also featured remarks from NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and the party’s Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Region.
They reinforced President Museveni’s message, urging residents to entrust the NRM with another mandate to consolidate development gains across Bukedi and beyond.
