By Robert Onyango.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged continued investment in road infrastructure in Mukono District and surrounding areas as part of a wider plan to ease traffic congestion in Kampala, improve the movement of people and goods, and support economic growth under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Addressing a campaign rally at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Naggalama Grounds in Mukono District on Friday, January 2, 2026, the President said government is prioritising alternative road corridors that bypass Kampala to reduce pressure on the capital’s road network.
President Museveni, who is also the NRM flag bearer in the 2026 presidential election, was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, senior party leaders, Cabinet ministers and NRM mobilisers from the Buganda region.
He said traffic entering Kampala from Mukono, Wakiso and neighbouring districts has prompted a shift in infrastructure planning, with greater emphasis on outer ring roads and inter-district connectors.
“We need roads that allow vehicles to avoid Kampala city altogether,” President Museveni said.
“Because of the heavy traffic, we want most of the cars to pass on roads outside Kampala instead of all traffic being forced to go through the city.”
The President said government has already invested heavily in major highways and will continue upgrading key road links connecting Mukono to neighbouring districts.
“We started with major roads like Kampala–Jinja, which has been repaired several times, and we are doing it again. We have already completed the Mukono–Kampala section, and we shall finish the remaining part from Mukono to Jinja,” he said.
He also listed other roads that have been completed or expanded to improve regional connectivity, including the Kayunga–Kangulumira–Jinja road, the Mukono–Katosi (Bakunja) road and the Kayunga–Baale–Galiraya road.
“These roads are all part of our plan to improve transport and trade while reducing pressure on Kampala,” he added.
Earlier, Mukono District NRM Chairperson Hajji Haruna Ssemakula raised concerns about persistent congestion along the Mukono–Kampala corridor and appealed for more feeder and connecting roads. He specifically cited the Misindye–Kiyunga–Naggalama–Zirobwe road as a needed alternative route.
In response, President Museveni said the road is already included in government plans.
“The road mentioned by the NRM chairman is in our plan. We need roads connecting Mukono to places like Zirobwe, Seeta, Namugongo and Nansana so that traffic does not have to pass through Kampala,” he said.
The President also reflected on changes around the Northern Bypass, noting that urban expansion has altered its original role.
“We worked on the Northern Bypass thinking Kampala would remain south of it, but the city expanded beyond it. The Northern Bypass is now the central bypass,” he said.
Concerns Over PDM Funds in Mukono
Beyond infrastructure, President Museveni expressed concern over complaints of mismanagement and theft of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Mukono District, allegedly involving parish officials and SACCO committee members.
He said government has ensured the release of funds to grassroots communities, but some local leaders are diverting money meant for household wealth creation.
“The money is there. I am sending it, and it is reaching the villages, but some people are diverting it,” he said.
The President urged residents to actively participate in parish SACCO meetings and hold leaders accountable.
“You are the ones who elect these leaders. If SACCO leaders elected themselves without a general meeting, that is illegal and easy to verify,” he warned.
He said the PDM National Coordinator, Hon. Galabuzi Ssozi, would be sent to establish whether PDM committees in Mukono were lawfully elected.
President Museveni also criticised what he described as limited participation by sections of the youth, saying civic engagement is necessary for accountability.
“You may find that a general meeting was called, but you didn’t bother to attend, especially you, the youths,” he said.
“I also need the vibe, but first I work, I study, I defend the country. After those three, then I can have the vibe,” he added, drawing laughter from the crowd.
He warned that disengagement from leadership processes could undermine the country’s future.
Official figures show that Mukono District and Mukono Municipality, which have a combined 97 parishes, have received Shs34.59 billion under the PDM programme. Of this, Shs28.52 billion, representing 82.4 percent, has been disbursed to 31,248 beneficiary households.
NRM Manifesto and Sector Updates
Using the rally to outline the NRM manifesto, President Museveni highlighted what he described as the party’s seven key contributions to Uganda’s development, starting with peace.
“Peace is our first contribution. It comes from our ideology of non-sectarianism, which enabled us to build a strong national party that unites all Ugandans,” he said.
On education, he said Mukono has benefited from government investment, with 220 government primary schools, 962 private primary schools, 25 government secondary schools and 270 private secondary schools across the district and municipality.
In health, he said Mukono’s 18 sub-counties have one hospital, one Health Centre IV and 17 Health Centre IIIs. He announced plans to upgrade Kigogola HCII to HCIII in Kasawo Sub-county and Kimenyedde HCII to HCIII in Kimenyedde Sub-county, as well as construct new HCIIIs in Katosi and Namataba Town Councils.
On water coverage, President Museveni said access to safe water in Mukono stands at 96 percent, with 591 out of 610 rural villages connected. Completed projects include a solar-powered piped water scheme in Kapeeke Village serving about 2,400 people, and the Kabembe–Kalagi–Naggalama Water Supply Project benefiting 130,000 residents. Eight additional piped water systems serve more than 45,000 people in areas including Mbalala, Nakifuma, Kasana, Namagunga, Luraggwe, Koome and Nakanyonyi.
He cautioned residents against focusing solely on public infrastructure without addressing household incomes.
“Do not be blindfolded by development. Look into your home and assess how you stand economically,” he said.
The President reiterated the Four-Acre Model, which allocates land for coffee, fruits, pasture and food crops, alongside poultry, piggery and fish farming where applicable.
He dismissed claims that government should be the main employer, noting that Uganda has about 480,000 government jobs against a population of nearly 50 million.
“Jobs are in commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services and ICT,” he said.
He cited examples including Jeka Poultry Farm in Kamuli, which employs about 300 people, as well as Sino-Mbale Industrial Park and Namanve Industrial Park, which collectively employ tens of thousands of workers.
Maama Janet Museveni thanked residents for attending the rally and urged them to support NRM candidates in the January 15, 2026 elections.
