President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced development interventions for Kamwenge and Kyegegwa districts, including the establishment of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) barracks, new industrial parks, major road upgrades and expanded education and health infrastructure, as he campaigned in the two districts.
Speaking to thousands of supporters at Kyabenda Primary School playground in Kamwenge, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer said a UPDF battalion and permanent barracks will be set up in Kamwenge to consolidate peace in an area that previously suffered incursions by the Allied Democratic Forces.
“For a long time, this area faced insecurity, but because of unity and a strong army, we have maintained peace. To sustain this peace, we are establishing a battalion here,” President Museveni said.
He thanked residents for their massive turnout and assured them of continued government protection of life and property, noting that peace remains the foundation of development.
After stabilising security, President Museveni said government focus shifted to fighting household poverty through commercial agriculture and industrialisation.
He commended farmers who have transitioned from subsistence maize growing to coffee, fruits and banana production, describing this as the “Ekibaaro” strategy of small-land commercial farming that brings households into the money economy.
As part of industrial growth, he announced government plans to secure land for an industrial park in Kamwenge and establish a presidential slaughter hub to support livestock farmers. He also pledged the creation of SACCOs and seed nurseries, with seed beds to be provided per constituency and district.
In neighbouring Kyegegwa, President Museveni announced that government has secured 10 square miles of land in Kyaka to establish a major industrial park, with a flagship avocado processing factory among the planned investments.
He told residents that factories already employ over 1.3 million Ugandans and will be key in creating jobs, adding value to agricultural produce and raising household incomes.
On infrastructure, President Museveni outlined ongoing and planned road works, including the Lyantonde–Ibanda–Kamwenge–Fort Portal corridor, the Kyenjojo–Kihura road and improvements to the Rwimi road.
In Kyegegwa, he confirmed plans to construct the Kazo–Kabogore–Kyegegwa–Kapuyo road and reported that all sub-counties are now connected to the national electricity grid, with further extensions planned.
On water, he acknowledged significant gaps, especially in Kyegegwa where only a fraction of villages has access to safe water, and pledged that water will be drawn from River Muzizi to improve coverage.
He also emphasised that irrigation is Uganda’s “new battle” and urged communities to protect wetlands as the country scales up irrigation infrastructure.
The President acknowledged challenges in the implementation of free education but said government has responded by expanding presidential skilling hubs to equip young people with practical skills.
He cited the example of Racheal Natukunda, a beneficiary who trained in hairdressing and cosmetology, accessed microfinance and now runs a successful salon while employing others.
He also committed to expanding education infrastructure, with new seed secondary schools under construction to ensure wider access to government education facilities.
On health, he pledged upgrades and new health facilities, responding to local leaders’ appeals for improved health centre coverage, including requests to upgrade Kamwenge Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and deploy more health workers.
The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Kamwenge District NRM Chairperson, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, said the district’s progress is anchored on improved security and deliberate government interventions.
He noted that Kamwenge, which has 18 sub-counties, 74 parishes and 442 villages, has seen a major shift from maize to coffee, with many farmers moving into medium- and large-scale production.
He disclosed that over Ugx 19 billion has been received under the Parish Development Model, with nearly 98% disbursed to more than 18,000 households, and that the Emyooga programme has strengthened 36 SACCOs.
In Kyegegwa, local leaders, including Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, pledged support for the President’s agenda and praised investments in roads, electricity and social services.
President Museveni also officially handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, district chairpersons, councillors and other party candidates in both districts, marking their formal endorsement to contest in the upcoming elections.
He introduced the NRM 2026–2031 manifesto, highlighting peace, infrastructure, wealth creation and industrialisation as the party’s core pillars, and warned against the mismanagement of Parish Development Model funds,
President Museveni concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to consolidating peace, expanding infrastructure, skilling youth and driving household wealth creation to ensure inclusive development in western Uganda.
Written by
Joellah Anshemeza
Communications Officer, GCIC.
