President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday, 19th March, 2025 met with journalists from Bunyoro sub region at State Lodge – Masindi, where he addressed key issues, including healthcare, poverty alleviation, land evictions and economic transformation.
This meeting was part of the President’s three-day countrywide performance assessment tour on the Parish Development model (PDM) in Bunyoro Sub-region ,which commenced on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025.
The President reiterated the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s commitment to primary healthcare and disease prevention.
“We decided to emphasize primary healthcare prevention through immunization, access to safe water, malaria control, and hygiene. Have you ever heard that I have been admitted to the hospital in my 38 years as President? Hospitals are like garages for damaged vehicles,” he said.
President Museveni noted that 80% of illnesses are preventable through public health measures such as immunization, nutrition and proper hygiene.
“When we were in the bush for five years, we did not fall sick because we drank boiled water and slept under mosquito nets,” he added.
Addressing the issue of economic transformation, President Museveni highlighted PDM as a vehicle for inclusive development.
“The government sends sh100m per year to parish SACCOs. Of this, 30% should go to women, 30% to the youth, 10% to persons with disabilities, 10% to the elderly, and 10% to men,” he explained.
However, he urged journalists to focus on family-based economic transformation.
“The real issue is not just gender but families still outside the money economy. My father, Amos Kaguta, was a traditional cattle keeper, but when I got an education, I transformed our family. We need every household engaged in wealth creation.”
Land Evictions and Law Enforcement:
President Museveni addressed concerns of land evictions, reaffirming the government’s position against unlawful displacements.
“There is no legal basis for evictions. Even if a landlord sells land, tenants have a right to stay. The government will defend our people from illegal evictions,” he stated.
On animal theft in villages, he noted that he directed law enforcement officers to take a tough stance on the vice.
“There should be no police bond for cattle thieves. I am in talks with the Chief Justice to ensure they don’t get court bail,” he said.
Responding to concerns about cultural institutions, President Museveni dismissed claims that kingdoms affect wealth creation.
“Kingdoms are about culture and language, not politics or administration. Look at Ankole, we don’t have a kingdom, yet Banyankole are doing well. Poverty is in homes, not in kingdoms,” he argued.
The President also promised to consult veterinary experts on a vaccine for the pig disease- the swine flu.
“If pigs are dying from a disease the government has not controlled, then the poor cannot be blamed, the issue will be handled,” he noted.
On government spending, he emphasized the need to minimize administrative costs, including halting the creation of new cities and districts.
“Some people wanted to divide Ntungamo into three districts, but too many administrative units interfere with development programs. We should focus on increasing PDM funds instead if sh100m is not enough per year without adding administrative costs,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of State for the Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, among others.