Voters in Ntungamo District have expressed support for National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi’s recent call for better governance, saying his message reflects their daily struggles with poor service delivery, unemployment, and rising living costs.
During Kyagulanyi’s Saturday rally, residents said the issues he raised — including low milk prices, high agricultural input costs, and under-equipped health facilities — mirror the reality in their communities.
“In Ntungamo, we lack equality when it comes to power. We ask the President for equality,” one resident said, arguing that many citizens feel excluded from decisions that directly affect their livelihoods.
Several voters expressed dissatisfaction with the management of government programmes, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“PDM money has not been transparently given out to respective persons. Some have received, others have not. We have unemployment and health facilities without medicine,” said one resident.
Youth in the district also appealed for fair access to government support. Abraham Tumuhirwe, a local youth, noted that “many young people in the ghetto have been denied funds intended for them.”
He added, “We also need to benefit from government funds as ghetto boys. The government gives us money but we have unfair leaders here. I support NRM but it should change its strategy and improve service delivery.”
Other residents called for urgent infrastructural upgrades, including better roads, an improved central market, and a stadium.
“Our roads are poor yet we have leaders. We need an improved central market and a stadium,” said Fahad Ayesigye, emphasizing that Ntungamo deserves leadership capable of turning national promises into visible development.
NUP’s Ntungamo chairperson, Rubahamya Magambo, said the district’s stagnation stems from leadership that fosters division and tribalism.
Citing Kyagulanyi’s remarks, he noted that “the president talked about tribalism, poor and fluctuating prices of agricultural products, which is very true.”
“Our leaders try to weaponise tribal sentiments, which affects our development. The pesticides are fake, and our farmers are suffering,” Magambo added.
He also urged residents to stay vigilant ahead of the next elections.
“When we protest, we vote in big numbers. We also have a special method in which we are going to look for the vote, vote, and protect the vote.”
