Rushenyi County Member of Parliament Naome Kabasharira has outlined plans to strengthen health services, ensure effective use of the Parish Development Model to fight poverty, expand access to clean water in water-stressed communities and promote socio-economic development, while assuring voters of peaceful elections in 2026.
Kabasharira pointed to the relatively calm party primaries in Rushenyi as evidence of political maturity in the area, crediting both authorities and the Rushenyi New Era initiative for uniting leaders and communities.
She said this cooperation has delivered tangible gains, including better equipped Health Centre IVs, ambulances, upgraded health facilities and plans to establish a community hospital to address preventable maternal deaths.
She said unity has been the foundation of her leadership, allowing leaders across political and administrative divides to work together for the common good of the county.
According to Kabasharira, inclusivity has helped restore a sense of belonging among residents and reduced political tension.
“Rushenyi New Era wants every Rushenyian to be part of Rushenyi. I worked with all the leadership, that’s why it’s called a new era of a leader working with all leaders and the people of Rushenyi,” Kabasharira said.
She added that bringing communities together has been a deliberate strategy aimed at strengthening service delivery and social cohesion.
“The main thing we have done is to unite the people of Rushenyi and to know that they belong to Rushenyi,” she said.
Kabasharira highlighted the health sector as one of the areas that has registered significant progress, citing the equipping of Health Centre IVs, renovation of accommodation for health workers and the acquisition of ambulances to improve emergency response.
She said Rushenyi currently operates two Health Centre IVs and has two ambulances, and revealed plans to further equip Rubaare Health Centre IV while upgrading one facility into a community hospital.
“We are trying to ensure that for all the women, there is no maternal mortality,” Kabasharira said, noting that one Health Centre II was upgraded to a Health Centre IV, placing Rushenyi among areas with relatively strong health infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the MP said her priorities include consolidating health sector gains, ensuring proper utilisation of the Parish Development Model and expanding access to clean and safe water.
She expressed concern that some beneficiaries are misusing PDM funds, warning that such practices undermine government efforts to reduce poverty and improve household incomes.
Kabasharira also described water scarcity as a persistent challenge in Rushenyi, a cattle corridor area, where residents frequently struggle to access safe water.
She said addressing the water crisis remains central to her development agenda.
On te political front, Kabasharira acknowledged that her campaign faced disruption after former Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana publicly declared support for her opponent, Herbert Nyongozi.
However, she said her support base remains intact following the NRM primaries and maintained confidence in her political footing as the county heads into the general elections.
She further assured voters of peace and stability, noting that Rushenyi registered relatively calm party primaries compared to some neighbouring districts.
Kabasharira attributed the calm to responsible leadership and continuous engagement with supporters, stressing that violence will not be tolerated.
“In primaries, Rushenyi was calm compared to Isingiro and others, and this is because of our leadership,” she said.
