As Kitagwenda district prepares to host President Museveni on his campaign trail ahead of the 2026 general elections, residents say they have yet to see the promised benefits of attaining district status.
They argue that service delivery and infrastructure development have remained stagnant since the district was carved out of Kamwenge in 2019.
With a population of over 180,000, Kitagwenda was expected to enjoy improved access to services and accelerated development.
However, residents say the reality on the ground tells a different story.
“We expected better services after becoming a district, but we are still struggling with poor roads, inadequate classrooms, and weak health services,” one resident said.
“If the president fulfills his pledge of tarmacking the main road and elevating our health centre to a hospital, life would be much better.”
Currently, the district has no tarmac roads. The Kitagwenda–Ibanda–Kamwenge–Rubirizi road, a presidential pledge since 2011, remains in poor condition.
Residents rely on Ntara Health Centre IV, which is overwhelmed by the growing number of patients.
Despite the frustrations, district leaders insist progress has been made. Doreen Nankunda Kaita, a member of the District Executive Committee (DEC) and Secretary for Production and Natural Resources, said the district now has a stake in national budget planning and that many local youths have been recruited into public service.
“Residents may not see it immediately, but the creation of the district has made a big impact,” Nankunda said. She added that government programmes have started reaching the district, citing the provision of coffee hullers for farmers, though the lack of electricity remains a challenge.
Concerns raised by residents will be formally presented to the president through a memorandum delivered by the District NRM chairperson, Nankunda confirmed.
African Arinaitwe, an aspiring candidate for Kitagwenda County Member of Parliament, said the unfulfilled road project is a major barrier to development.
“The lack of a tarmac road has greatly hampered trade and slowed down progress in Kitagwenda. Corruption and political disputes have also affected development,” he said.
Residents now hope that President Museveni’s visit will bring renewed commitment to long-standing pledges and accelerate development in the district.