President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned the people of Busoga against disunity and politics of identity, explaining that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) doesn’t believe in such, that’s why it came up with the four core principles; Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation and democracy.
President Museveni made the appeal on Friday 26 September 2025 while meeting leaders, mobilizers, government officials, religious leaders, informal sector groups and the private sector from Busoga Sub-region at State Lodge Nakasero, Kampala led by Haj. Faruk Kirunda whom the President commended for serving government diligently and the people of Uganda without discrimination in tribe and religion. “This is what leaders are supposed to do and not to divide the people or to promote sectarianism, the President advised”.
The President also reiterated that, in Busoga, the government has set up several infrastructures such as good roads and factories to steer development in the sub-region.
“It’s not true for some people to say that the NRM government has done nothing for Busoga. Many factories have been set up in the subregion in areas like Jinja, Njeru and Masese with the purpose of development,” he said.
“Many new roads have been worked on, and the old ones have been or are being rehabilitated like the Jinja-Kamuli road, Musita-Mayuge-Busia Road, Iganga-Mbale, among other roads.”
President Museveni assured them that the road from Iganga-Luuka-Kamuli is going to be tarmacked as well as that from Kimaka-Mbulamuti-Kamuli.
He also tasked the leaders to sensitize their people to utilize the funds from government empowerment programs well in order to fight poverty.
“The government has injected a lot of funds in programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and SACCOs, among other initiatives. These programs will continue running and the leaders should audit performance of these programs,” he said.
“Therefore, you should use this opportunity from the government and work to uplift your lives.”
On the issue of electricity, the President said that many households across Busoga have been able to get connected and this is due to the fact the government has been able to set up additional power dams, apart from the Owen Falls Dam and to expand the National grid to all the regions in the country.
On the other hand, President Museveni appealed to the people of Busoga to support the NRM and all its candidates in the forthcoming general elections for more development. During the meeting, Ms. Namutamba Resty withdrew from the Luuka Woman Member of Parliament race in favor of Ms. Nabirye Annet, the NRM flag bearer. Also, Haji Jafari Basajabalaba withdrew from the LC 5 race of Bushenyi District in favor of the NRM flag bearer, Tumwebaze Prosper.
The President commended them for accepting to withdraw from the race in favor of the flag bearers saying that this is in line with the NRM principles.
“Vote for leaders who promote unity amongst our people but not divisionism,” the President said.
President Museveni tasked religious leaders who attended the meeting to spread the gospel of peace and unity among believers.
He said the peace that was brought by the NRM government, was paramount in the country and Ugandans needed to preserve it in all ways possible.
“This peace we are talking about was brought by the NRM after the liberation struggle where even some people in Busoga were part. We fought to bring stability in our country, and I urge you to sensitize our people, especially the youth, to desist from activities that may cause instability in our country,” he noted before wishing them a peaceful election.
President Museveni further thanked the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization, Haji Faruk Kirunda who coordinated the meeting, for mobilizing and promoting unity among the people in the various areas of the country.
The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda thanked the President for sparing some time off his busy schedule to meet the group.
On his part, Haji Kirunda informed the President that this delegation from Busoga will work collectively to ensure that the sub sub-region develops and is stable.
He also assured the informal sector and vendors that the government will support them so that they are able to fight poverty and create wealth through presidential initiatives under State House.
The religious leaders pledged to work with the President and the NRM government and assured him that they will mobilize the faithful to desist from the politics of identity but rather take keen interest in embracing government’s poverty alleviation programs.
The Busoga religious leaders under their umbrella of the Inter-religious Council though Bishop Naimanhye Paul Mukembo, thanked President Museveni for hosting them and assured him that the clergy is with him for the development and peace of Uganda.
He said the prevailing peace and freedom in the country is the reason why they are able to freely worship anytime they want.
Bishop Mukembo also noted that as religious leaders they will be visiting rivaling politicians in the sub-region with the purpose of reconciliation.
Among the Bishops who attended were Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo from Tororo, Bishop Munene Edward from the Born-Again Faith in Busoga, Bishop Dr. Naimanhe Mukembo from Busoga Diocese, Bishop Suubi Hannington from Busoga East Diocese, Bishop Dr. Kajura Jimmy from SDA Busoga Field, Vicar General Benedict Wakabi from Jinja Diocese, Sheik Bowa Muhamad Hussein the Regional Mufti, Rev. Canon Dikange Lazarus representing Central Busoga; Hon. Daudi Migereko representing Elders and Owek. Richard Mafumo the Head of Busoga Clans, among others.
