President Museveni Pledges Public University and Industrial Park for Sebei Region During Campaign in Kween District

Kween District — November 11, 2025

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to equitable access to higher education and industrial development across Uganda, pledging to establish a public university for the Sebei sub-region and an industrial park to spur economic growth and job creation.

Addressing thousands of enthusiastic supporters in Kween District as his presidential campaign trail entered the Sebei Region, President Museveni expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the continued support of the people of Sebei for the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“I thank the people of Kween for the warm welcome. We are committed to ensuring that each zone has at least one public university. In the past, historical circumstances concentrated universities in Kampala, but now we shall build one for Sebei, Karamoja, and Bugisu,” the President said.

He noted that the concentration of higher education institutions in the central region was a result of colonial and post-independence legacies, which the NRM government has worked to reverse through decentralization and inclusive development. The planned public university for the Sebei, Karamoja, and Bugisu zones will provide an academic and research hub for the region, boosting access to quality education and skills development.

Industrial Park for Job Creation

President Museveni also applauded the people of Sebei for their generosity in offering 500 acres of land for the establishment of an industrial park. He assured residents that the government will prioritize its construction to create employment opportunities and promote regional production.

“I thank the people of Sebei for offering 500 acres of land for an industrial park. We shall construct it so that it becomes another centre of jobs and production for our people,” he stated.

The industrial park, once completed, will serve as a nucleus for agro-processing and light manufacturing, enabling farmers and local producers to add value to their products, access larger markets, and improve household incomes in line with the government’s wealth creation agenda.

Support for Landslide-Affected Families

Turning to the issue of natural disasters that have affected communities in the Sebei sub-region, President Museveni revealed that the government has allocated Shs 56 billion in the national budget for disaster preparedness and recovery. He emphasized that each family affected by the recent landslides will receive two acres of land and ten million shillings to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

However, the President cautioned that long-term safety and sustainability require rethinking settlement patterns on mountainous terrain.

“Because other countries with mountains face similar challenges, the sustainable way forward is to discourage settlement on the uplands. The lowlands should be for homes and business, while the highlands can support tourism and other economic activities,” he advised.

President Museveni reiterated that while government support will continue for disaster victims, prevention through proper land use and environmental conservation remains essential to protecting lives and property in the mountainous regions of Eastern Uganda.

Promoting Wealth Creation and Regional Equity 

The President’s message in Kween aligns with his broader campaign theme of transforming households from subsistence to commercial production, ensuring that every region benefits from government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Fund.

He urged the people of Sebei to embrace these initiatives fully, stressing that the NRM’s focus is not only on development infrastructure but also on empowering individuals and families to generate wealth.

“The government has provided many opportunities — it is now the responsibility of every citizen to use them wisely. We don’t want spectators; everyone should be a player in wealth creation,” Museveni said.

A Renewed Commitment to the Sebei Sub-Region

President Museveni’s visit to Kween marks another key stop on his nationwide campaign trail as he seeks re-election in the upcoming 2026 general elections. His promises to expand higher education, industrial development, and disaster recovery efforts underscore his long-term vision for inclusive growth and stability in the Sebei sub-region.

The rally in Kween drew large crowds, with local leaders and residents expressing appreciation for the President’s pledges and the government’s ongoing projects in the area, including road infrastructure, rural electrification, and health services improvement.

As the campaign trail continues across the Sebei sub-region, President Museveni’s message remains clear — education, industry, and sustainable land use will form the pillars of transformation for Uganda’s mountainous communities.