Museveni Warns Against Sabotage of Free Education, PDM Funds

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday met thousands of converts from the National Unity Platform (NUP), Muslim leaders, students from higher institutions of learning, and youth groups at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Addressing more than 10,000 NUP converts, President Museveni welcomed them to the National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the party as one historically rooted in empowering ordinary citizens to elect their leaders from the village level (LC1) up to the presidency.

He said this philosophy informed his decision in 1997 to introduce free primary and secondary education, noting that many Ugandan parents could not afford school fees at the time.

However, the President expressed concern that the free education policy has been sabotaged by some leaders and head teachers. He urged Ugandans to elect leaders capable of effectively enforcing government policies, stressing that free education must be fully implemented so that all children benefit.

He specifically called on the youth to reject illegal charges in government schools, noting that despite the introduction of free education in 1997, poor implementation by some school administrators has undermined the policy.

President Museveni also raised concerns over the poor maintenance of murram roads despite annual government funding, calling for accountability and proper reporting in cases where funds are inadequate.

On wealth creation, he reiterated that government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and other initiatives were designed to lift households out of poverty. He encouraged every Ugandan to join their parish SACCOs and urged parish committees to ensure that all members benefit.

The President warned against the theft and sabotage of PDM funds and called on citizens to report anyone involved in such practices.

Turning to health services, President Museveni said the government supplies medicines to public hospitals, but persistent shortages are largely due to poor supervision and theft. He emphasized the need to hold leaders accountable to ensure drugs reach patients.

On employment, the President explained that jobs are mainly created through commercial agriculture, factories, services, and ICT. He cited the example of Mr. Johnson Basangwa of Kamuli, who started poultry farming on a 50-by-100-foot plot and now employs more than 300 people, demonstrating that wealth creation is possible even with limited land.

Muslim leaders, including several sheikhs, pledged to support President Museveni in the forthcoming elections. Sheikh Sulaiman Ssemakula from Greater Mpigi thanked the President for supporting Muslims and promoting unity, noting that the NRM respects all faiths without discrimination.

In response, President Museveni assured Muslims that his role is to ensure all Ugandans, regardless of religion, access free education, healthcare, and opportunities for wealth creation.

The President also commended more than 8,000 students from institutions across the country under the Sauti ya Vijana initiative for complementing party structures.

On corruption, President Museveni urged the youth to decisively reject the vice, warning that it undermines service delivery and national development.

Presidential Advisor Ms. Hope Mazirwe thanked the President for supporting students and championing free education, and pledged continued student support for the NRM government.

Mr. Jacob Eyeru, head of Sauti ya Vijana, said the initiative was established to engage more than 3.1 million students who were in school during campaign periods but are now eligible voters. He noted that the group is sensitizing students on NRM wealth-creation programs and has set up a WhatsApp platform to engage them during holidays on the party manifesto.

In a separate engagement, President Museveni met the Unstoppable Group, led by Mr. Nelson Tugume, who assured him that the group has been mobilizing support for the NRM across the country.

President Museveni reiterated that Uganda has made significant progress over the past 40 years, with about 70 percent of homesteads now part of the money economy. He stressed that the government’s focus is to bring all households into the money economy through existing programs.

He emphasized that free education in government schools and the fight against corruption remain non-negotiable priorities.

The various groups reaffirmed their commitment to support President Museveni and the NRM in the forthcoming elections.