President Museveni Orders Swift Action on Land Grabbing, Sugar Act Enforcement During Masindi Campaign Rally

Masindi District — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to urgently address widespread land grabbing and accelerate enforcement of the Sugar Act, following concerns raised by leaders during his campaign rally in Masindi on Wednesday.

Speaking to thousands of supporters, the President said persistent land conflicts in the district must be handled decisively. He tasked the Prime Minister to follow up on all reported cases, ensure justice for affected families, and eliminate impunity.

“Land conflicts must stop. I have instructed the Prime Minister to move swiftly and deal with all those involved,” he said.

The President also directed her to fast-track implementation of the Sugar Act to protect sugarcane out-growers from exploitation and resolve long-standing disputes involving millers. These concerns were raised by local leaders who said farmers were losing income due to unfair practices in the sugar industry.

The rally was attended by several senior NRM leaders, among them Mrs. Natasha Museveni Karugire.

Masindi to Benefit from New Urban Development Program

President Museveni reassured residents that Masindi will be prioritised for urban upgrading under the upcoming Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) program, set to begin in 2026.

The district missed out on earlier phases of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program, a gap the President acknowledged as a government oversight.

“Masindi supported us very much during the struggle… I realize Masindi was left out of the USMID program. Masindi will be considered,” he said in response to concerns raised by Masindi District NRM Chairperson, Hon. Kabakumba Masiko.

Kabakumba highlighted the municipality’s lack of a modern market and poor urban roads, which she said had slowed the district’s development and limited economic opportunities.

New Interventions: Ferries, Tractors, and Better Connectivity

During the rally, the President announced new interventions aimed at strengthening Masindi’s economic base and improving service delivery. These include:

Additional tractors to boost agricultural mechanization

A new ferry on Lake Albert to ease transport and enhance trade with neighboring districts Improved electricity access, with connections planned for Katugo I, Bukooba II, and Katikara Sub-Counties

Museveni noted that 15 of the district’s 18 sub-counties and the entire municipality are already connected to the national grid, positioning Masindi for industrial growth once power access becomes universal.

Education and Health Infrastructure to Be Upgraded

The President reported significant progress in education, with 98 government primary schools and 11 government secondary schools—nine offering USE and UPOLET programs.

He reaffirmed government plans to ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-county a secondary school, to eliminate long distances walked by learners.

On health services, Museveni pledged to:

Upgrade Bulima, Alimugonza, Labongo, and Nyabyeya Health Centre IIs to Health Centre III status

Construct new HCIIIs in Kabango Town Council, Kigulya, and Kijunjubwa

These interventions aim to improve maternal health, reduce disease burdens, and ensure prompt access to essential medical care.

Water Access Still a Challenge

Despite the progress, the President expressed concern over limited access to clean water. Out of Masindi’s 417 rural villages, only 196 have safe water sources—leaving more than half without reliable clean water.

He called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the challenge and pledged government support for expanding water infrastructure.

Appeal for Commercial Agriculture and Wealth Creation

The President once again emphasized that public infrastructure alone cannot lift families out of poverty, urging households to adopt commercial agriculture under the four-acre model.

“Development without wealth, development is useless,” he said, citing success stories of dairy and poultry farmers who improved their livelihoods by using their land more productively.

He also cautioned citizens not to rely solely on oil revenues, even as Uganda prepares for its first oil production in 2026.

“Petroleum is an exhaustible resource, while commercial farming will be here forever,” he noted.

Concerns Over PDM Fund Mismanagement

Museveni expressed displeasure over reports of mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in the district. Masindi received Shs 20.35 billion, of which Shs 17.49 billion has so far been disbursed to 17,609 households.

He vowed to ensure strict accountability and directed leaders to guarantee that each shilling reaches the intended beneficiaries. 

Anita Among and Other NRM Leaders Rally Support Ahead of 2026

Speaker of Parliament and NRM 2nd National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, urged residents to rally behind the NRM, noting that aligning with government priorities accelerates development access.

She reaffirmed the urgent need for a modern market in Masindi Municipality—a request she said originated from the women of Masindi.

Prime Minister Nabbanja and NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda, Hon. Asiimwe Jonard, also pledged massive support for Museveni in the 2026 elections.

The rally drew ministers, MPs, former leaders, senior party officials, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, and NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi.

President Museveni’s message in Masindi centered on peace, accountability, service delivery, and wealth creation—while promising corrective action where the district had previously been left behind. He appealed to residents to support him and all NRM flag bearers in 2026, emphasizing that only peace and stable leadership can guarantee sustained development.