President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders across the Busoga sub-region to adopt humility, unity, and discipline, cautioning that ongoing divisions among them continue to slow down socio-economic advancement and weaken service delivery to the people.

Speaking to thousands of NRM cadres and local leaders at Iganga Girls’ Secondary School on Saturday, January 10, 2026, the President stressed that any leadership lacking humility inevitably leads to conflict, with the greatest suffering falling on ordinary citizens, especially those living in poverty.

“I’m asking all of you to lead with humility. If I had not been humble myself, I would never have succeeded in leading Uganda,” Museveni told the gathering, prompting loud applause from the audience.

As NRM national chairman and the party’s presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections, Museveni underlined that cooperation among political leaders remains vital for the country’s progress.

He warned that disputes and infighting among leaders mainly hurt the poor, who rely on consistent and stable leadership to lift themselves out of poverty.

“The poor need leaders who are united. When you fail to work together, you are the ones holding back their escape from poverty,” he explained.

The President pointed to the persistent political rivalries that have long characterized Busoga, contrasting this situation with other sub-regions such as Bukedi, Lango, Bugisu, West Nile, and Acholi, where leaders have managed to cooperate effectively despite their political differences.

Museveni also addressed recent misunderstandings regarding invitations to the meeting, particularly those involving former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, and called on all leaders to shift their focus toward strong grassroots mobilization as the January 15 general elections approach.

He described peace as the single greatest achievement of the NRM government, insisting that without security and stability, meaningful development cannot take place.

“Even if we do nothing else, as long as there is peace, everything else becomes possible,” he stated.

To illustrate the value of national unity, Museveni used a personal example from his own background: “I am a Munyankore cattle keeper. My fellow Banyankole don’t buy my milk, beef, or bananas because they produce the same things. Instead, people in Kampala and other parts of the country buy what they cannot produce themselves.”

He went on to stress the critical role of regional markets and the broader vision of Pan-Africanism, noting that Uganda’s excess production of sugar and milk depends heavily on demand from the East African Community to avoid waste and keep industries running.

The President also highlighted several government programs designed to create wealth at the household level, including Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

“Many people who used to be extremely poor in the villages have managed to escape poverty through these initiatives,” Museveni affirmed.

He further pointed to real-life success stories of job creation and economic transformation, mentioning Fred Byamukama of Iganga, whose four-acre farm now earns significant income from poultry (eggs), coffee, and livestock, as well as Johnson Basangwa of Jeka Poultry Farm in Kamuli, who provides direct employment to approximately 300 people.

NRM national vice chairman Moses Kigongo praised the impressive turnout of Busoga leaders at the event.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among called for strict message discipline within the party and announced financial support for LC1 chairpersons. She declared emphatically: “In Busoga, there is only Team Busoga and Team Museveni.”

The gathering was also attended by several senior NRM officials, among them former Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, Deputy Speaker Rukia Nakadama, and Minister Milly Babalanda.