President Yoweri Museveni on Monday took his campaign to Bukonzo East in Kasese District, delivering a clear message to residents: the future of the region lies in commercial agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
Addressing a packed gathering, Museveni said peace and stability have created a strong foundation for development in Kasese and across Uganda.
He noted that the people of Kasese, having lived through both insecurity and peace, especially with proximity to eastern DR Congo, understand better than anyone the value of stability.
The President credited Uganda’s improved security to disciplined politics and the rejection of divisive identity-based agendas that once pushed the country into chaos. He assured residents that although ADF rebels remain in eastern DR Congo, they no longer pose a threat to Uganda.
Museveni pointed to major infrastructure progress under the NRM government, highlighting better roads, schools, health centres, electricity and communication networks. He said the presence of power in Kasese today marks a major shift from the past when the region had no electricity.
Turning to household income, Museveni urged residents to fight poverty through productive economic activity. He stressed the need for irrigation to boost agriculture in Kasese, noting that national production of coffee, bananas, sugar and maize has risen sharply — though not everyone has fully tapped into these gains.
On jobs, Museveni insisted government should not be the biggest employer, saying sustainable employment comes from wealth-creating sectors. He cited commercial farming as a major job driver, pointing to a farmer in Busoga who employs over 300 workers.
He also highlighted manufacturing and tourism as key engines for growth, welcoming calls for an industrial park in Kasese.
Museveni noted that globally, tourism earns more revenue than coffee and said the Rwenzori region has enormous untapped potential.
“The future of Kasese lies in commercial agriculture, tourism and manufacturing,” Museveni told supporters, urging them to back the NRM to consolidate development gains.
Earlier, NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Region Jonard Asiimwe thanked residents for turning up in large numbers and congratulated Museveni on his nationwide campaign. He reminded the President about the proposed Kasese industrial park and invited him to return to lay a memorial stone at Katebwa.
Museveni closed by pledging continued government support to Kasese, including more equipment and funding for road maintenance, citing the district’s vast size and growing economic activity.
He also encouraged opposition defectors to join parish SACCOS to benefit from wealth creation programs, announcing that PDM funding would be increased from Shs100 million to between Shs200 million and Shs300 million.
