President Museveni has reassured the people of Masindi District that the government will fast-track long-awaited urban development interventions—particularly roads and market infrastructure—under the upcoming Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) program.
The district missed out on earlier phases of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) initiative.
The UCMID program, currently in its final planning stages, is expected to begin in 2026 and will be implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Accompanied by his daughter, Natasha Museveni Karugire, the President made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally in Masindi Municipality.
He acknowledged that Masindi was unfairly excluded from earlier USMID funding despite its historic contribution to the liberation struggle and its strategic importance in the region.
“Regarding the USMID program, you’re right,” Museveni said in response to concerns raised by Kabakumba Masiko, the Masindi District NRM Chairperson.
“Masindi supported us very much during the struggle. I realize Masindi was left out of the USMID program, but it will be considered.”
Kabakumba had earlier highlighted the district’s lack of development opportunities caused by poor infrastructure, including the absence of a modern market and inadequate municipal road networks.
During the rally, the President also issued new directives to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to urgently address persistent land-grabbing cases in Masindi and neighboring areas.
He instructed her to expedite the implementation of the Sugar Act following concerns about exploitation of sugarcane out-growers and disputes with millers.
Museveni further announced that the government will provide additional tractors to support agricultural mechanization and pledged to deliver a new ferry on Lake Albert to boost trade, ease transportation, and strengthen economic linkages with surrounding districts.
He urged residents to vote for him and all NRM flag bearers in the 2026 general elections, emphasizing that the party has a proven record in peace, development, and wealth creation.
“Uganda had wars, but they have now been finished, and we have peace. Without peace, nothing can be done,” he said.
The President pointed to the NRM’s achievements in infrastructure and social services, and said the next term would focus on completing ongoing projects and expanding wealth-creation initiatives.
Museveni expressed satisfaction that 15 of Masindi’s 18 sub-counties and the entire municipality are now connected to the national grid.
He said the next term will prioritize extending electricity to Katugo I, Bukooba II, and Katikara sub-counties, followed later by nearby villages.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the district’s transport network. “All those roads mentioned will be worked on because they’re fewer than what we have already worked on in Masindi and the entire Bunyoro,” he assured.
Education Sector
The district has 98 government primary schools and 11 government secondary schools, nine of which offer USE/UPOLET, with a current student enrollment of 8,976.
Museveni reaffirmed the government’s plan to ensure each parish has a primary school and each sub-county has a secondary school.
In the health sector, out of Masindi’s 18 sub-counties, one has a hospital, three have Health Centre IVs, and nine have Health Centre IIIs, while seven have no health facility.
The President announced plans to upgrade Bulima, Alimugonza, Labongo, and Nyabyeya Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs, and construct new Health Centre IIIs in Kabango Town Council, Kigulya, and Kijunjubwa.
Museveni acknowledged slow progress in water access, with only 196 of the district’s 417 rural villages (47%) having access to safe water, leaving 221 villages without reliable sources.
The President urged citizens to distinguish national development from personal wealth creation, stressing that public infrastructure alone cannot uplift households without commercial agriculture.
“Development without wealth is useless,” he said, encouraging adoption of the four-acre model. He cited examples of successful commercial farmers who have built wealth through dairy, poultry, and mixed farming.
Museveni also noted that Uganda’s oil production, expected to begin in 2026, will significantly boost national infrastructure development, but warned against over-reliance on oil revenue.
He expressed concern about reports of mismanagement of PDM funds. Masindi District and Masindi Municipality have received Shs 20.35 billion for 57 parishes. Of this, Shs 17.49 billion has been disbursed to 17,609 households, representing 20.4% of the district’s households.
Museveni declared that his “new war” is ensuring that PDM funds reach intended beneficiaries without leakage.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among told the gathering that Masindi, once a stronghold for the opposition, is returning to the NRM fold.
She emphasized that government resource allocation is driven by the sitting administration and encouraged residents to support NRM. She also relayed a request from women in Masindi for a modern market in the municipality.
Other leaders, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and NRM vice chairperson for Western Uganda, Asiimwe Jonard, assured the President of overwhelming support from the Bunyoro Sub-region ahead of the 2026 polls.