Museveni Promises Industrial Park, Job Creation, and Household Wealth Programs in Yumbe

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the party’s presidential flagbearer, continued his campaign trail in Yumbe District, where he commended residents for their steady progress and loyalty to NRM principles of peace, unity, and prosperity.

He recalled that when the government first debated granting Yumbe district status, its population was only about 100,000, and many doubted its viability. Today, the district’s population has surpassed one million, growth he attributed to immunization and improved health services introduced under the NRM government.

President Museveni noted that the NRM has over the years sought practical solutions to Uganda’s challenges, all captured in the NRM Manifesto. He emphasized that one of the movement’s greatest achievements has been peace, which the country is now enjoying for the first time in more than 500 years.

“This peace was achieved because we rejected the divisive politics of sectarianism based on religion and tribes. We now have peace because we value everyone, and that has helped us build a national party that embraces all Ugandans. That is why we win the majority during elections. The politics of sectarianism is suicidal,” he said.

The President added that Uganda’s unity and shared interests have enabled the country to form strong national institutions, including the army and the Judiciary.

“Our contribution as NRM has been peace, because we rejected sectarian politics,” he emphasized.

He highlighted that the second pillar of the NRM is development, including infrastructure such as roads, electricity, hospitals, and schools. However, he cautioned against confusing development with wealth creation.

“You cannot sleep on a tarmac road. Development benefits everyone, but wealth creation benefits individual families,” he said.

President Museveni reminded the public that since 1996, the NRM has promoted household wealth creation, starting with the Ankole cattle corridor, where some people embraced the idea and succeeded.

“The message of NRM has been clear: do not mix development with wealth creation,” he said, urging all Ugandans to join the money economy through government programs such as Emyooga, NAADS, and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He explained that under PDM, each parish receives UGX 100 million annually, with UGX 15 million for leaders. Over five years, each parish will have accumulated UGX 570 million, with borrowers repaying after two years to their SACCOs at a 6% interest rate, ensuring the revolving funds grow.

The President also announced plans to create special funds for unemployed university graduates, as well as for religious and cultural leaders, aimed at eradicating household poverty. Seedlings will continue to be distributed to farmers.

He emphasized that wealth creation is the real source of jobs, noting that factories and individual enterprises generate more employment than government offices.

“Government jobs are only 480,000, but factories established under the NRM have created 1.3 million jobs,” he said.

President Museveni cited State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, as an example of someone who adopted the four-acre model and now employs 26 people through piggery, poultry, and dairy farming.

He commended Yumbe residents for providing land that will be developed into an industrial park, creating jobs for the youth.

“I am very glad for the land you have given in Yumbe. We shall develop it into an industrial park like Namanve and Mbale to create jobs for your people,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing that the NRM’s enduring message remains peace, development, and jobs.

Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, NRM Vice Chairman for Northern Uganda, appreciated the President for his consistent guidance and transformative programs reaching the people of Yumbe.

Yumbe District comprises 26 sub-counties and town councils, 197 parishes, and 1,159 villages. According to the 2024 census, the district’s population stands at 945,100. In the last presidential election, President Museveni polled 71.2% of the vote, and in 2025, the number of registered voters has risen to 122,184 across 363 polling stations.

Under the Parish Development Model, Yumbe’s 197 parishes have cumulatively received UGX 59.9 billion, with over 97% disbursed to 58,334 beneficiary households. The district also has 57 Emyooga SACCOs with 16,184 members, receiving total government support of UGX 2.01 billion.

Education facilities in Yumbe include 143 government primary schools, 41 private primary schools, 10 government secondary schools, and two private secondary schools. Six seed schools are under construction or design, reducing the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from 16 to 10.

In the health sector, Yumbe has one Regional Referral Hospital, two HCIVs, and 19 HCIIIs, meaning 22 of 26 sub-counties have a health facility of HCIII level and above. Major ongoing works include rehabilitation and expansion of Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, construction of a 300-bed ward, 95 staff houses, and several new maternity and outpatient units.

In the water sector, 940 of the district’s 1,159 villages have access to safe water, representing 77% coverage. The Ala-Ora piped water system under construction will extend water to more villages in Ariwa Sub-County, with additional plans to reach 64 more villages across Kochi, Bijjo, Lodonga, and Lobe Town Council.