The National Peasants Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Robert Kasibante, has promised to enroll unemployed youths and the elderly on a monthly salary of Shs200,000 each if he is elected Uganda’s next president.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Rubirizi District, Kasibante also pledged to provide free education at the university level, saying the move would help families afford school fees while stimulating local economic activity.
“By providing this money to unemployed youths and the elderly, it will help them meet their needs and at the same time circulate money in the economy. These individuals will also be able to pay school fees for their children,” Kasibante said while addressing supporters in Nyakasharu, Rubirizi District.
Kasibante highlighted infrastructure development as a priority, pledging to tarmac the over 100-kilometer Ruganzi–Katerera–Kitagwenda road, which he described as being in a deplorable state.
He also promised to construct modern village markets to allow vendors to operate without interruptions from harsh weather.
“I plan to bring in new technical personnel and hold them accountable. Those currently in charge have not done enough to ensure local vendors have modern markets,” Kasibante noted.
Addressing concerns over the high cost of education, Kasibante pledged to improve teachers’ salaries and make education free at all levels, including universities.
“Most peasants can afford nursery and primary education, but secondary and university tuition, such as Makerere’s Shs4 million, is beyond their reach. My government will be a hope for the majority of Ugandans,” he said.
On natural resources, Kasibante criticized the dominance of foreign companies, promising to cancel Chinese mining licenses and give locals the right to own and benefit from mineral deposits.
During a visit to the home of the late Karoro Okurut, a former minister and his close collaborator, Kasibante pledged to continue skilling Ugandans and provide start-up capital to each trainee.
“This practice of giving out capital without proper training will end. I will ensure people are trained first, and if they fail to manage the capital, they will still qualify for the monthly Shs200,000 program,” he said.
Having completed campaigns in Rubirizi and Bushenyi, Kasibante is scheduled to campaign in Mitooma and Sheema districts as he continues his bid for the presidency.