President Museveni has announced that government will soon repair the Fort Portal–Bundibugyo Road, which has deteriorated in several sections.
“When NRM came to power, tarmac was ending in Mityana and we didn’t have money. But using our own means, we were able to extend tarmac from Mityana to Mubende, then to Fort Portal, Bundibugyo and finally Lamia,” Museveni said while campaigning in Bundibugyo District on Friday.
He explained that when Uganda lacked the funds to build roads, government reached out to partners in Yugoslavia and entered a barter trade arrangement that enabled road construction to continue.
“Since Uganda didn’t have money, we used barter trade with Yugoslavia. We gave them sorghum, and in return, the tarmac was extended from Mityana to Mubende, then to Fort Portal, Bundibugyo and finally Lamia. The road has now grown old and we are going to repair it,” he said.
Museveni noted that delays in road works—and other government projects—stem from the many competing national priorities. He criticized some government officials for not understanding the “guerrilla” approach of handling one critical issue at a time.
“For example, the recent strike by teachers demanding immediate salary increments. They wanted the increment right away, yet we still have issues like roads for the Bamba and Bakonjo communities. We cannot stop working on roads, which benefit many people, to focus solely on salaries for a few individuals. Salary increment can wait,” he said.
He urged residents to remind leaders, including Members of Parliament, that not everything can be handled at once.
The President also called on local governments to ensure regular maintenance of both tarmac and murram roads so that farmers can easily transport their produce to markets.
Cocoa Factory
President Museveni also told the gathering that plans are in final stages to construct a cocoa factory in Bundibugyo.
He said some time back, he tried to convince Americans to construct the factory but they tried to play him and he gave up on them.
“One time I tried to convince the Americans to set up a cocoa factory here. They told me they had heard that there is no milk and sugar. I told them these things were in abundance. I realized that they were playing on my head. Now we have found a wealthy person to take on the project,” Museveni said.
He noted that the factory will not only benefit cocoa farmers in Bundibugyo but also create jobs for many Ugandans.
Gains to Protect
Museveni said the country has achieved significant progress since the NRM took power in 1986, beginning with the restoration of peace. He pointed out that Bundibugyo, being close to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), understands the effects of instability better than most, given the influx of refugees and the district’s own past challenges.
He emphasized that the current peace across Uganda has supported development in various sectors.
In education, Museveni noted that Bundibugyo has 107 government and 145 private primary schools, as well as 12 government and 13 private secondary schools. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to establishing a primary school in every parish and a secondary school in every sub-county.
In the health sector, he said that out of Bundibugyo’s 27 sub-counties, one has a government hospital, two have Health Centre IVs, and 14 have Health Centre IIIs, while 10 still lack a government health facility. He reassured residents that government will upgrade Ngite, Bundingoma, Busoru, and Bulyambwa Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs.
“We are also going to construct new Health Centre IIIs in Mabere, Mbatya, Ndugutu, Kagugu, Ntoroko Sub-County and Buganikere Town Council,” he added.
Museveni urged the community to embrace wealth creation through the four-acre model, emphasizing the difference between wealth and development. He encouraged Ugandans to use government programmes like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga to transition from subsistence to commercial production.
“We ask Ugandans not only to produce food for home consumption but also to grow for sale. You can grow food crops, cocoa, and palm oil, and also rear cows, goats or chickens for eggs. This ensures food at home and money in your pockets,” he said.