President Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate on Wednesday concluded his campaign trail in the Ankole sub-region with a final rally in Rubirizi District.
He was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, together with senior NRM and local leaders at Kyenzanza Community Playground.
Addressing thousands of supporters, President Museveni emphasized that the foundation of Uganda’s development is peace—something Rubirizi, located near the Democratic Republic of Congo, understands well.
“You who live near Congo know their problems. You have seen refugees in Kamwenge and Rwamwanja. That is why I take pride in seeing Uganda peaceful. Without peace, nothing we talk about today would have been possible,” he said.
President Museveni assured residents that long-awaited road projects will be implemented.
“We shall reconstruct the Mbarara–Ishaka road. It must be worked on,” he stated.
He added that the Katerera–Kamwenge–Ibanda road remains in government plans, noting that delays were due to competing budget priorities.
The President reiterated that PDM funds must reach all intended beneficiaries and directed leaders to ensure full transparency.
“Rubirizi has so far received Shs 18 billion. I have instructed that PDM money must be included in every budget cycle so that people’s lives continue to improve,” he said.
Rubirizi District currently has 58 government and 89 private primary schools, along with 10 government and 14 private secondary schools.
In healthcare, all 11 sub-counties now have Health Centre IIIs or higher, including a fully operational Health Centre IV in Bunyaruguru Constituency.
President Museveni encouraged residents to use Rubirizi’s natural beauty and tourism potential to create wealth. He reaffirmed government support toward making the district a leading tourism destination in Western Uganda.
During the rally, he handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V leaders, councillors, and other party candidates.
Janet Kataaha Museveni thanked residents for their strong turnout and acknowledged God’s guidance in sustaining peace in Uganda.
She emphasized the importance of youth participation in securing the country’s future and urged them to safeguard Uganda’s stability through their vote.
“Whatever you are doing in your homes today, think of the generations to come. Don’t forget where we have come from,” she said, encouraging citizens to mobilize others to vote.
Susan Naturinda shared how the Presidential Skilling Hub transformed her life after training in hairdressing at the Ankole Industrial Presidential Hub in Mbarara. With startup capital of Shs 200,000, she launched her business and is now able to save daily while employing another person.
Rubirizi District, with a population of 168,211 according to the 2024 census, comprises 11 sub-counties, 53 parishes, and 293 villages. Since the rollout of the Parish Development Model, the district’s 53 parishes have received a total of Shs 18.97 billion. Out of this, Shs 16.32 billion has been disbursed to 16,433 households, meaning nearly half of all households have benefited. The district also has 36 Emyooga SACCOs with 11,455 members, supported by Shs 1.36 billion in government funding.
In education, Rubirizi continues to expand access to schools. Forty-six of the 53 parishes have at least one government primary school, and eight of the 11 sub-counties currently have government secondary schools. Construction of three Seed Secondary Schools is ongoing to ensure each sub-county will eventually have a government secondary school.
Rural water access has also improved, with 208 out of 293 villages having safe water. Completed interventions include the construction of piped water systems in Nyandogo, Rutoto, Kantungu, Kanyambiriri, Kashenyi, Ndangaro, Rwemitagu, and Nyandongo. Several springs have been rehabilitated, and rainwater tanks have been installed at Katunguru Primary School and the District Headquarters.
Additional piped water and sanitation systems are serving Katerera Town Council and Rubirizi Town Council. Current efforts focus on expanding water systems and sanitation facilities in Katanda and Katerera sub-counties.
Rubirizi is embracing irrigation to boost agricultural productivity. Completed solar-powered irrigation systems have been set up in several parishes, covering multiple acres and supporting model farmers. The district is connected to the national power grid, and plans are underway to extend electricity to Rutoto Sub-County in the next term.