Kassanda – President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential Candidate, has urged residents of Kassanda District to vote for the Party candidates if they want development and improved service delivery.
Addressing a rally in Kassanda despite a morning downpour on Wednesday, President Museveni said the NRM’s 40 years in leadership have been defined by peace and stability, noting that Uganda remains secure while many neighbouring countries continue to experience instability.
“The first contribution of NRM is peace. We do not believe in sectarian politics. We respect every Ugandan so that all can contribute to national development,” Museveni said, adding that this is why special interest groups such as youth, women, persons with disabilities and workers are represented in Parliament.
The President said the second major contribution of the NRM is development, through investments in both economic and social infrastructure. He cited roads, schools and health facilities as some of the key interventions government has made since the NRM came to power.
Museveni acknowledged that Kassanda still faces challenges, particularly in road infrastructure and access to safe water, which currently stands at only 34 percent coverage. He attributed some of these shortcomings to poor leadership choices, urging residents not to vote for opposition leaders whom he said fail to advocate effectively for government programmes and resources.
“Do not joke with voting. When you vote badly, you suffer,” Museveni warned, pledging that government is ready to increase funding to the district if leaders clearly account for existing allocations and demonstrate genuine need.
The President directed State Minister for Luweero Triangle, Hon. Alice Kaboyo, to ensure that government services such as safe water reach all people in Kassanda, regardless of how they voted.
On wealth creation, Museveni reiterated the NRM’s long-standing message that development alone does not automatically translate into household wealth. He encouraged residents to engage in calculated farming and income-generating activities, using the four-acre model, to lift themselves out of poverty.
He also cautioned against the misuse of government programme funds such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying he would send auditors to investigate reports of fund deductions. “Do not allow your money to be stolen,” he said.
Museveni further highlighted job creation as another key contribution of the NRM and urged voters not to repeat what he described as the mistake of electing selfish opposition leaders.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, described Kassanda as a fast-growing young district and appealed to government to more than double electricity distribution to support its rapid development.
Kassanda NRM District Chairperson Dr Michael Bukenya assured the President that the district would overwhelmingly support him in the next election. He praised government programmes, particularly Emyooga, electricity extension, new Health Centre IIIs and the reopening of mines, but noted that land wrangles remain a major challenge in the district.