President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of Kawempe North to vote for a party that understands their problems and has solutions. He made the remarks on Tuesday, March 11, while campaigning for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer, Faridah Nambi, at Mbogo Muslim Primary School grounds.
The Kawempe North parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Muhammad Ssegirinya in January. The by-election is scheduled for Thursday, March 13.
Museveni emphasized that electing a legislator who works with the government would ensure better service delivery.
“If you want your problems to be solved, you need to elect a Member of Parliament who works well with the government,” he said.
He pointed out that the NRM government had always been aware of Uganda’s challenges and had developed solutions.
“The Kawempe you are talking about; I know it very well. I was ambushing Obote’s vehicles at Kawanda, Matugga, Kigogwa, Sanga, and I had a camp in Nansana and Namugongo. Now all those areas, which were once bushes, are full of factories,” he said.
Museveni explained that these factories created jobs and markets for local products, attributing their presence to NRM’s efforts in ensuring stability and providing electricity.
NRM’s Solutions for Development
Museveni called on the people of Kawempe to focus on creating wealth to improve their livelihoods.
“We can talk about development like tarmac roads, Kawempe hospital, and electricity, but at night, you don’t sleep on the road. You sleep in your house, and when you get back, the problems you left in the morning are still there,” he said.
He outlined several NRM initiatives aimed at improving people’s lives, including peace, free education, skills training, and economic empowerment programs.
“The first medicine, apart from peace, was free education in government schools, but efforts have been frustrated by some people at the grassroots. Free education will solve a lot of problems in our families,” he noted.
He urged voters to support Nambi to help implement free education at the local level.
Museveni also highlighted government initiatives like Bonna Bagaggawale (Prosperity for All), Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as key economic interventions.
He revealed that the government planned to increase PDM funding in urban areas where more people needed support.
“The Prime Minister has reported to me that the Shs100 million we send to the parish is not enough for towns like Kawempe. So now we are going to put more money in towns,” he announced.
NRM Confident of Victory
NRM First Vice Chairperson, Alhajji Moses Kigongo, thanked Museveni for personally campaigning for Nambi. He praised the people of Kawempe North for their support.
“Today, you have gathered in big numbers to show that we can win this by-election. NRM fronted Faridah Nambi as its candidate. Let us support her so that she can win this seat,” he said.
Nambi assured Museveni that she had mobilized voters through door-to-door campaigns and was confident of victory.
“I thank the people of Kawempe for supporting the NRM party. Thank you for coming in big numbers,” she said.
During the rally, 186 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) defected to NRM. Their leader, Mutebi Edrisa, told Museveni that they had “seen the light” and decided to join the ruling party.
The rally was attended by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, ministers, and other leaders.
