Museveni wraps up Kawempe, Nansana campaigns, urges Ugandans to form SACCOs

7 January 2026, 10:58 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As he concluded his campaign rallies in Kawempe Division and Nansana Municipality yesterday, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, Yoweri Museveni, emphasised that government has money but prefers to channel it through groups rather than individuals.

Museveni urged Ugandans to form Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), explaining that government support is meant for organised groups engaged in productive activities. He stressed that group-based funding encourages accountability and meaningful work.

While addressing supporters at Mbogo Playground in Kawempe Division, Museveni promised that if elected for a seventh term, his government would design a special programme targeting the youth. He noted that the programme would require youths to have well-defined leadership structures.

The president, who was accompanied by his wife, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, highlighted achievements made by the NRM government over the last nearly 40 years. He recalled that during the bush war period, roads such as the Kampala–Gulu highway were already tarmacked, but most people along the route lived in grass-thatched or mud houses.

“Development existed, but household wealth did not. That history is why NRM emphasises income, wealth creation and jobs,” Museveni said.

He added that the government’s first priority is commercial agriculture done correctly, noting that small land holdings require intensive production while large land suits extensive farming. He also pointed out that Wakiso District benefits greatly from artisans, workshops and industries, which create jobs and wealth. Museveni thanked the people of Nansana for turning up in large numbers despite the rain.

However, workers affiliated with 7 Hills SACCO raised concerns over low pay. The Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Sharifa Buzeki, confirmed to the president that the workers earn only UGX 6,000 per day and appealed for the amount to be increased to at least UGX 10,000. In response, Museveni promised to address the matter at a later time.

During the same rally, Hon. Janet Museveni, in her brief remarks, thanked religious leaders for their prayers and challenged Ugandans to reflect on what they have done for their country rather than always asking what the country has done for them. She urged supporters not only to attend rallies but also to turn up and vote on January 15, 2026, and support NRM flag bearers.

Meanwhile, National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu yesterday announced that he had halted campaigns in some parts of Northern Uganda, citing alleged obstruction by the Uganda Police Force. Kyagulanyi recently claimed there was a plan to arrest him before polling day.

However, the police dismissed the allegations, stating that there is no plan to detain the candidate or orchestrate incidents ahead of the election.

“The Uganda Police Force categorically dismisses allegations of a scheme to detain candidate Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu or engineer incidents before election day. Our efforts are geared toward facilitating peaceful elections, and we call upon all political actors to promote non-violence,” the police statement partly read.