By Okidi Patrick
Museveni Launches Rwenzori Campaign, Promises Kasese International Airport to Boost Tourism
KASESE, UGANDA – December 6, 2025: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially launched his Rwenzori Sub-region campaign trail in Kasese district, pledging to construct an international airport in Kasese to significantly boost tourism. Speaking at Nyakasanga Playground in Kasese Municipality, the President outlined the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) achievements over the past four decades and his vision for the region.
Addressing the gathering, President Museveni highlighted peace, development, wealth creation, and job creation as key pillars of the NRM’s transformation of Uganda. He noted that Kasese serves as a testament to peace due to its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), pointing out that Uganda currently hosts 700,000 refugees from Congo unable to return home due to ongoing instability.
“Groups that attempted to destabilize the district were defeated,” President Museveni stated, asserting that peace in Uganda “will remain like ripe bananas—you only see them but you cannot touch or eat them.”
On development, the President detailed extensive work on economic and social infrastructure. He mentioned the Fort Portal–Kasese road, which has been redone twice, along with the Katunguru–Ishaka and Kikorongo–Bwera roads, with the latter slated for reconstruction. He also promised work on the Mityana–Kyegegwa road and others. The President criticized leaders who prioritize salary increments over vital infrastructure, crediting smart prioritization for projects like the Lyantonde–Kazo–Ibanda–Kamwenge tarmac road. He assured Kasese and Ntungamo residents that more road machinery would be provided, as their annual Shs 1 billion road fund allocation is insufficient.
In terms of power, President Museveni reiterated the government’s goal to connect every district and sub-county, noting that all districts except Buvuma Island are now connected, with full sub-county coverage as the next target. He also announced the repair of the Malaba railway line and plans for Kasese to receive a new Standard Gauge Railway. Following the Hoima airport built for the oil sector, Kasese is next in line for an international airport, specifically to enhance tourism.
The President lauded Kasese’s progress in social services, citing 260 government primary schools and 25 government secondary schools offering Universal Secondary Education and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training. He also highlighted the district’s two hospitals, with ongoing plans for expansion and upgrading of health facilities.
Regarding wealth creation, President Museveni reminded the population that development alone does not equate to prosperity unless households engage in productive activities. He re-emphasized the four-acre model from the 1996 Manifesto, advising residents to cultivate coffee, fruits, pasture, food crops, keep poultry or pigs, and practice fish farming where feasible. He cited George Matongo of Ngoma as an example, earning Shs 21 million monthly from dairy farming by following NRM guidance. The President urged residents to mobilize the 30% of Ugandans still outside the money economy and warned of investigations and arrests for individuals stealing Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
For job creation, President Museveni stressed that employment primarily stems from commercial agriculture, services, ICT, and factories—not government. He noted that factories alone have generated 1.3 million jobs, significantly more than the 480,000 government jobs, and encouraged youth to utilize skilling centers.
Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, the 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female) and Speaker of Parliament, thanked President Museveni for maintaining peace in Kasese despite its border with the conflict-affected DRC. She specifically requested the upgrade of Kasese Airfield into an international airport and acknowledged the President’s funding for interventions along River Nyamwamba, which has historically caused flooding.
Mr. Mbahimba James, the Kasese District NRM Chairperson, also praised President Museveni for restoring peace and fostering development, including schools, hospitals, business growth, increased population, and improved access to safe water. He thanked the President for wealth creation programs such as PDM and Emyooga, which he said have improved household incomes. Mr. Mbahimba also presented certain challenges in Lwehingo, Kabukero, and Kyabatukura, requesting the President’s intervention.
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