By MASINDI; President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reassured the people of Masindi District that the government will fast-track long-awaited urban development interventions particularly roads and market infrastructure under the new Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) program after the district missed out on earlier phases of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) initiative.
The UCMID program is a government initiative, in the final stages of planning, and expected to commence in the year 2026. It shall be implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD).
Accompanied by the First Daughter, Mrs. Natasha Museveni Karugire, the President, who is also the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and flagbearer for the 2026 elections, was on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, addressing thousands of supporters during a campaign rally in Masindi Municipality.
President Museveni acknowledged that Masindi had been unfairly left out in the allocation of USMID funding despite its historic contribution to the liberation struggle and its strategic importance in the region.
“Regarding the USMID program, you’re right,” President Museveni said, responding to concerns raised by Masindi District NRM Chairperson, Kabakumba Masiko.
“Masindi supported us very much during the struggle, and you prayed for us when we fought here. However, I realize Masindi was left out of the USMID program, and they worked in other towns. Masindi will be considered.”
Hon. Kabakumba had earlier informed the President that Masindi continues to lose development opportunities due to inadequate infrastructure, including the absence of a modern market and poor roads in the municipality.
During the same rally, President Museveni issued fresh directives to the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, to urgently address persistent land-grabbing cases in Masindi and the surrounding areas.
He further directed her to expedite enforcement of the Sugar Act, following concerns from local leaders about exploitation of sugarcane out-growers and disputes involving millers.
The President also announced that the government will provide more tractors to support agricultural mechanization and pledged to deliver a new ferry on Lake Albert to boost trade, ease transportation, and strengthen economic linkages with neighboring districts.
President Museveni further urged residents to vote for him and all NRM flag bearers in the upcoming 2026 general elections, saying the ruling party has a proven track record of peace, development, and wealth creation.
“Uganda had wars, but they have now been finished, and we have peace. Without peace, nothing can be done,” he said.
He reminded the crowd that NRM’s infrastructural and social service achievements are visible across the country, noting that the next term would focus on completing ongoing projects and expanding wealth-creation initiatives.
The President highlighted several key achievements and pending interventions in Masindi’s social services sector.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the district’s transport network.
“All those roads mentioned will be worked on because they’re fewer than what we have worked on already in Masindi and the entire Bunyoro,” he assured.
President Museveni expressed satisfaction that 15 out of Masindi District’s 18 Sub-Counties and the entire municipality are now connected to the national power grid.
“In the next kisanja, the government will extend electricity to Katugo I, Bukooba II, and Katikara Sub-Counties, and then later to the nearby villages according to our policy,” the President announced.
The President noted that Masindi District and Masindi Municipality have 98 government primary schools, 11 government secondary schools, of which 9 offer Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET), with a current student enrollment of 8,976.
“Our plan is to have a government primary school per parish and a secondary school per sub-county,” H.E. Museveni reaffirmed.
