Rakai – Political leaders in Rakai District have praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his long-standing commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS, crediting his leadership with saving lives and transforming a region once hardest hit by the epidemic.

Speaking at a campaign rally at Kibale Grounds in Rakai on Thursday, the Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, said Rakai occupies a unique place in Uganda’s HIV history and acknowledged the President’s role in steering the country from despair to hope.

“We want the people of Rakai and Uganda by extension to understand where we came from, where we are and where we are going in the fight against HIV,” Among said. She thanked Museveni for prioritising funding for prevention, treatment and public awareness, noting that these interventions have drastically reduced HIV-related deaths.

Among also commended the President for supporting infrastructure development in the region, particularly the Masaka–Mutukula road, which has improved access to health services and boosted cross-border trade.

Rakai NRM District Chairperson Gyaviira Ssemwanga said Museveni’s early decision to openly address HIV/AIDS and mobilise both government and communities helped change attitudes and saved countless lives.

“When the President talked openly about AIDS and put in place strong interventions, people began to live. Today, many families in Rakai are alive because of that leadership,” Ssemwanga said.

President Museveni, who also addressed the rally, said the fight against HIV/AIDS required honesty, discipline and sustained public education. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening health services, expanding access to treatment and supporting prevention programmes, especially in high-risk communities such as fishing areas.

Museveni noted that Rakai District, which hosts major fishing communities around lakes Kakyera and Kijanibarora, remains a priority for targeted health interventions.

The rally was attended by several NRM leaders, including Vice Chairperson for the Buganda Region Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, party officials and supporters, as Museveni continues his campaign tour of the Greater Masaka sub-region ahead of the 2026 general elections.