President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to reject electoral bribery and vote based on principles and national interest rather than short-term financial gains, which he warned can distort democracy.
“Why trade your power for money? When someone offers you cash for your vote, reject them. You hold the power—don’t give it away,” President Museveni told residents during a rally at Kituntu sub-county in Mpigi District on Wednesday, June 18.
This rally marked the conclusion of his zonal tour of Greater Mpigi under the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative.
According to a statement by the Presidential Press Unit (PPU), Museveni expressed gratitude to the people of Mpigi for supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM). He assured them that unlike in 2021—when he claimed 2.7 million votes were rigged by the opposition—new biometric systems have been introduced to prevent electoral fraud.
“What happened in 2021 was partly due to negligence within NRM. But now we have biometric machines to ensure one person, one vote. We won’t tolerate rigging again,” he said, as the country gears up for the 2026 general elections.
During the event, Museveni also welcomed 184 individuals who had defected from opposition parties to join the NRM.
His tour in Greater Mpigi involved engagements with local leaders, PDM SACCO beneficiaries, and farmers from Mpigi, Gomba, and Butambala districts, focusing on evaluating household transformation and boosting local enterprises.
Addressing the crowd, Museveni highlighted the peace brought by NRM as a foundation for development, citing improved infrastructure such as electricity, roads, schools, and health centers. He also recalled the significant growth in secondary education in the region—from six A-Level schools in 1961 to 28 in Greater Mpigi today.
The president emphasized the importance of explaining Uganda’s progress since 1986 and the NRM’s future plans, urging citizens to pursue wealth creation. “These government services—schools, hospitals, roads—are for everyone. But wealth and poverty are personal matters. That’s why we are in politics—not for show, but to help you fight poverty,” he stated.
Museveni referenced testimonies from successful PDM beneficiaries, such as
- Rashida Namubiri from Kasaka village, Butambala district,
- Deborah Namutebi from Gomba district, engaged in poultry and animal husbandry,
- Hajji Muhammad Zziwa, a prominent farmer in the Mpigi district.
He explained that each parish receives UGX 100 million annually under the PDM. Over five years, this totals UGX 500 million. By the third year, initial beneficiaries begin to repay, adding another UGX 300 million to the SACCO revolving fund—raising the total to UGX 800 million per parish.
“This is why you don’t need to borrow from moneylenders or commercial banks anymore,” Museveni said.
So far, UGX 33.429 billion has been disbursed to 130 PDM SACCOs in Greater Mpigi, with Mpigi district receiving UGX 14.4 billion, Gomba UGX 12.6 billion, and Butambala UGX 6.428 billion due to its fewer parishes.
Highlighting wealth creation as a key to job creation, Museveni pointed out that government jobs number only 480,000—insufficient for a population of 46 million. He praised the example of Minister Fred Byamukama, whose farm employs 26 workers, the lowest earning UGX 200,000 monthly, and noted Uganda’s industries employ 1.2 million people.
On healthcare, Museveni announced plans to construct a district hospital in Mpigi, in line with the NRM manifesto of establishing a hospital in every district. He also urged parents to ensure children are immunized and advocated for early vaccination of girls against cervical cancer.
“I’m 80 years old—have you ever heard I was hospitalized? Even during our five years in the bush, we stayed healthy,” he noted.
He also cautioned against the spread of HIV/AIDS, calling for abstinence and faithfulness among partners.
Meanwhile, NRM Vice Chairperson for the Buganda region, Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, encouraged residents to back President Museveni and all NRM candidates in the 2026 elections. He urged them to help reverse the poor performance of 2021, when NRM secured only 31 out of 105 parliamentary seats in Buganda.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, Microfinance Minister Haruna Kasolo, Investment State Minister Evelyn Anite, NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja, NRM Women’s League Chairperson Lydia Wanyoto, and several Members of Parliament.
The PDM presidential zonal tours aim to fast-track President Museveni’s vision to move 3.5 million households out of subsistence farming by 2026. Previous tours have covered regions including Greater Masaka, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, Rwenzori, Ankole, Tooro, and Bunyoro.
