President Museveni appeals to the people of Kisoro to vote peacefully and for the development of the country as they go to polls to elect a Woman MP

KISORO, UGANDA – The President of the Republic of Uganda and the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, called upon the people of Kisoro District to support and vote for the party’s candidate, Ms. Rose Kabagyeni. This is in respect of the forthcoming Woman Member of Parliament MP by-election, scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, occasioned by the sudden death of the late Hon. Sarah Mateke, MP and Minister of State for Defence.

On Tuesday evening, Museveni at a rally at Muramba Primary School grounds in Bufumbira South, Kisoro, asked the voters to send into Parliament the NRM flag-bearer for a brighter future. He reminded the district of the need for unity in ensuring peace and development. Kabagyeni will face five other candidates in what promises to be a keenly contested election.

Museveni Lists Achievements, Calls for Peaceful Election

The President told the people that leaders are to be elected basing on how much they can develop the country. He assured the people of Kisoro, for instance, that the NRM government has done a lot in terms of improving infrastructure and social services throughout the country, particularly in western Uganda.

When we came into power, Kisoro had no tarmac roads. But today, the government has constructed a 300 km stretch of roads, including the Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana and Kyanika roads, ” Museveni noted, pointing out connectivity and infrastructural growth in the district.

He also talked about the electrification, saying that in Kisoro, electricity, although at one time rare, is now available across the district. This has been part of an effort in the greater area to expand access to more Ugandans with electricity, particularly in rural areas.
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President Calls for Support for Free Education and Government Programs

He called upon the residents to work with the government to eradicate fees in public schools imposed by some headteachers, a factor that is vital to the realization of the goal of having free education for all Ugandan children.

He also called upon the people of Kisoro to support government programmes aimed at eradicating poverty and improving livelihoods, such as the PDM and Emyooga.

“We must struggle together against poverty”, Museveni added, urging the people to fully embrace such government programs set up for their economic empowerment.

Tackling Corruption and Strengthening Accountability

President Museveni also appealed to both local leaders and citizens to take responsibility in overseeing government programs, ensuring transparency and reporting any irregularities. He cited the issue of drug theft at public health facilities, which he said would be undrug if everybody, including leaders and the public, played their role in ensuring rightful service delivery.

“If leaders and citizens work together, we can put an end to things like theft of medicine from government hospitals,” he added.

NRM Officials Rally Behind Kabagyeni

Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance and NRM Vice-Chairperson for the Western Region, thanked President Museveni for supporting the party candidate, Ms. Kabagyeni, and assured him that the people of Kisoro were determined to go to the polls and vote for a candidate who will bring about positive change.

The NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong told the President that the party’s machinery was well-received in all sub-counties of Kisoro, full support for Kabagyeni, and expressed confidence that NRM would win.

This was graced by top government officials led by Hon. Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance, and Hon. David Bahati, the Minister of State for Trade, among several other Members of Parliament present to give full support to the party candidate, plus NRM CEC members.

As Kisoro braces for voting, the message was clear from President Museveni: the forthcoming by-election is not about merely electing an MP but choosing one who would translate into increased development, national unity, and ultimately effective public service delivery. He called on all voters to turn out peaceful and make a decision that will mark a new future of Kisoro and the entire nation.

Thus, the 14th of November will be a decisive moment for Kisoro to continue in its development with the current NRM government; indeed, Rose Kabagyeni can be placed on the frontline in the forthcoming by-election as a candidate to move the district forward in its development.