By John Okello Lapok
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer, has called on the young people in the party to embrace the NRM culture of discipline, hard work and results.
Museveni noted that it is this spirit that has built Uganda over the last four decades.
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President made the remarks today during a campaign rally at Kagulu Primary School Grounds in Buyende District.
He emphasized that the NRM’s strength lies in its consistency.
“NRM is a serious movement. You, the young members, should copy the culture of the NRM, the party of doers and determined people. Because of that determination, we have laid seven bricks on the house of Uganda,” he said.
He reminded the supporters of Buyende’s history as a refuge area for people fleeing insecurity in Teso during the turbulent years.
“People ran from Teso to this area because of rebels and cattle rustlers supported by foreign groups. But NRM defeated all of them because we follow politics of interests, not politics of identity,” he said.
He urged residents to reflect on why peace eluded previous governments and why many African countries still struggle with it.
“Once you understand that, you will know the value of the NRM,” he added.
The President outlined ongoing and planned development projects in Buyende, noting that although not everything is complete, progress is steady.
He confirmed government funding for the 127km Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road and announced that the Kamuli–Igingo–Kaliro road has now been added to the national plan.
On education, he revealed that Buyende has 92 government primary schools against 73 parishes but warned leaders about poor distribution.
“Some parishes have more than one school while 36 parishes have none. Be strict about this,” he said.
For secondary education, the district has 6 government secondary schools across 14 sub-counties.
The government is constructing one Seed Secondary School, which will reduce the sub-counties without a government secondary school from eight to seven.
On health, President Museveni outlined major upgrades including upgrading Kagulu HCII, Nkoone HCII, and Ngandho HCII to HCIII, construction of new HCIIIs in Gumpi, Buyanja, and Kidera.
He noted that the district also has two HCIVs, each with a doctor.
President Museveni once again cautioned Ugandans against confusing development with wealth.
“Development is for all of us, but wealth is personal. Wealth is created in four sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT,” he noted.
He encouraged Buyende residents to embrace the Four-Acre Model and praised regions like Karamoja for adopting commercial agriculture.
President Museveni said the government will continue supporting households through the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and new targeted funds for youth, ghetto groups, cultural leaders, boda bodas and unemployed graduates.The President further highlighted Uganda’s production boom; coffee rising from 3 million to 12 million bags, milk production growing from 200 million litres to 5.3 billion litres and similar growth in maize and other crops.
.“What I want is everyone to join the money economy,” he said.
