President Yoweri Museveni has urged communities in the Rwenzori sub-region to reject sectarian politics, emphasizing the importance of unity in Uganda’s development.
Museveni, who was campaigning in Busongora North and Bukhonzo East constituencies in Kasese District on Monday, said that over the last 40 years, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has established seven key pillars to guide the country’s progress, with peace being one of the most critical.
He noted that by rejecting divisive politics, the NRM has been able to build strong national institutions, including the army. The President warned that sectarian politics, which divide Ugandans along ethnic and religious lines, threaten the stability and success of national institutions.
Museveni reiterated that the NRM’s rejection of divisive politics has enabled all groups in Uganda to benefit from peace and stability. He cited the Rwenzori sub-region as an example, noting that peace has attracted tourists whose visits generate income for local communities and contribute to regional development.
“Therefore, if anybody doesn’t appreciate Uganda, he is an enemy of Uganda, sectarian politics is poison, and also not practical,” Museveni said.
Museveni further noted that the NRM has sustained peace through a clear political ideology, which has strengthened both the ruling party and the national army. “You people of Kasese, you are the best witnesses of peace because you know what peace means and you know what the lack of peace means, you have seen it here in Kasese and Rwenzori in general,l and you are also near Rwenzori…” Museveni noted.
The President also said the NRM has driven national development through investments in roads, electricity, water, and other infrastructure. He praised the Uganda People’s Defence Forces for defeating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, who are largely camped in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Museveni added that the NRM government has delivered improvements in roads, electricity, telecommunications, water, and education, urging residents to use the available infrastructure to improve household incomes.
“But the NRM from the 60’s was very clear, we were clear that development is built for all of us, but at night you don’t sleep on a tarmac road, you go back to your own house and when you go back, the poverty you left in the morning you find it waiting, we told people that yes peace is there, development is there but you must deal with poverty in your home, that was our message,” he said.
Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, rallied communities in the Rwenzori region to continue supporting the NRM government, citing the transformation it has delivered.
Barnabas Bwambale Bamusede, the Chairperson of the Kasese District Council for Older Persons, commended President Museveni for restoring peace and stability in the district. He said the elders in Kasese fully support Museveni.
However, some voters in the district asked the President to prioritize the establishment of a major irrigation scheme to boost agriculture, improve road infrastructure, and consider the creation of new districts. Edrina Kabugho, a resident of Maliba Town Council, said that while she appreciates the President’s message on household development, unresolved land conflicts remain a major obstacle to prosperity in the district.
Museveni’s return to Kasese for a second round of campaigning is seen as a deliberate effort to consolidate votes in the district. Kafuda Boaz, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Kasese District, said the party has done sufficient mobilisation to secure victory in the elections.
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