President Yoweri Museveni has commended the Nyekundire Group in Kanungu District for their unwavering dedication and devotion to the National Resistance Movement (NRM), no matter the challenges designed to shatter the party. During the meeting with the group at the Kanungu District headquarters on Thursday, the President extended a vote of gratitude to them for their unflinching devotion to the NRM and its vision for Uganda.

“I would like to give thanks to founders of Nyekundire Group who remained resilient and defended the NRM, even when the others attempted to fragment the party,” said Museveni. The Nyekundire Group, which comprises men, women, and young people from Kinykizi East and West in Kanungu District, has been at the forefront of mobilizing votes for President Museveni and the NRM government. The group’s effort has greatly contributed to strengthening the party’s grip in the district.

As a token of appreciation for their support and loyalty, President Museveni issued a series of statements to boost the economic activities of the group and construct infrastructure in the area. He pledged shs500 million to finance their Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), which will allow members to get affordable loans for income-generating activities. He also pledged to provide them with a hatchery and a brooder to enhance poultry farming in the group, which will be a sustainable source of income for its members.

The President also addressed enhancing road connectivity within the region, vowing to upgrade key roads such as Kanyantorongo and Bwindi to Kisoro. Better roads will not only facilitate easier transportation but also enhance trade and market access, which will benefit local farmers and businesses. These initiatives are expected to transform the economic landscape of Kanungu District, ushering in growth and development.

Chairman of the Nyekundire Group, Mzee Donald Kananura, thanked President Museveni for accepting the invitation and for acknowledging their work. He welcomed the government’s ongoing efforts to construct roads in Kanungu District and assured the President of the group’s ongoing support for his leadership. “We are committed to supporting you and the NRM government as we aim to develop our community,” Kananura said.

Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, Female Member of Parliament for Kanungu District, stressed the active mobilization by Nyekundire women groups for President Museveni and the NRM. She demanded greater support to empower the women, particularly skills training and economic projects. Nkunda also requested the establishment of a technical institute in the district to provide vocational training to women and young people, equipping them with skills to live in the new economy.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, applauded President Museveni for setting up a skilling center in the Kigezi Sub-region and requested him to also set up a skilling center in Kanungu District. This would enhance the capacity of local individuals, so they could possess the technical expertise to participate in the growing digital economy. Baryomunsi pointed out that there is a need to empower individuals through training and education, which are crucial in achieving sustainable development.

The event was attended by a series of high-profile guests, which also included the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and religious leaders. Their presence underscored the significance of the Nyekundire Group’s work towards the NRM and general development agenda in Kanungu District.

The visit by President Museveni and the assurances he gave were a welcome move from the community, with most of them being hopeful about the future. The shs500 million SACCO financing, the poultry farming hatchery and brooder, and the guarantee of improved road infrastructure are seen as the game-changers in the area. The projects will provide employment opportunities, raise incomes, and improve the standard of living of the people.

The Nyekundire Group’s commitment to the NRM and their highly energetic mobilization of the party has not gone in vain. Their campaigns have acted to strengthen the grassroots levels of the party to ensure that the NRM remains a dominant force in politics within Uganda. Through rewarding them for their work, President Museveni has illustrated the need for unity and commitment within the party, using other groups as models across Uganda.

In conclusion, President Museveni’s visit to Kanungu District and his meeting with the Nyekundire Group highlight the strong bond between the NRM government and its supporters at the grassroots level. The pledges made during the event are a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the lives of Ugandans through economic empowerment and infrastructure development. As the Nyekundire Group pushes the NRM vision, their efforts will certainly bring about the development and growth of Kanungu District and the nation as a whole.