President Museveni Pledges Irrigation Push as Kalungu Water Coverage Hits 93%

Kalungu District— President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday afternoon held a campaign rally in Kalungu District, where he reminded residents that Uganda’s long-standing peace is the foundation upon which development and wealth creation have been built.

Addressing thousands of supporters, President Museveni reflected on the country’s turbulent past, noting that before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came to power, Uganda experienced conflict almost every decade. He said the last 40 years of stability were not accidental, but the result of deliberate policies anchored in unity, non-discrimination and the strengthening of state institutions.

“Uganda used to be at war almost every ten years, but for four decades now, we have enjoyed peace,” Museveni said. “This peace was built consciously through unity, rejecting sectarianism and building strong institutions that serve all Ugandans.”

The President emphasized that peace has enabled government to plan, invest and deliver services, particularly in rural areas. He cited improvements in access to clean and safe water in Kalungu District, which he said now stands at 93 percent. Museveni told residents that government’s next major focus in the area would be irrigation, aimed at reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture and boosting productivity.

On agriculture, Museveni encouraged farmers to embrace modern and commercial farming practices, especially in banana and coffee production. He noted that when bananas are well managed, they can yield up to 53 tonnes per hectare, turning small plots of land into reliable sources of income.

He also highlighted the growth of the coffee sector as evidence that the NRM’s wealth creation strategy is delivering results. According to the President, national coffee production has increased from about three million 60-kilogramme bags to nearly ten million bags annually.

“This growth shows that wealth creation is working,” Museveni said, adding that increased production translates into higher household incomes, more jobs and greater foreign exchange earnings for the country.

The President urged the people of Kalungu to continue supporting the NRM, saying the party has a clear record and a tested plan for sustaining peace, expanding infrastructure and transforming agriculture. He called on voters to make informed choices in the upcoming elections, stressing that development thrives best in an environment of stability.

Museveni’s Kalungu rally is part of his wider campaign tour across the Greater Masaka sub-region, where he is popularizing the NRM manifesto and engaging communities on government achievements and future priorities, particularly in agriculture, water, roads and household income generation.