By Frank Kamuntu
Hajji Bruhan Sserunga, veteran community leader and father of presidential candidate Hon. Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party, has praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his “exceptional leadership,” sending a strong message of respect and confidence ahead of the elections.
Addressing thousands of NRM supporters at Kayombo Primary School in Kitagwenda yesterday, Mzee Sserunga said: “I am a civilian veteran. I helped the NRA fighters by offering them shelter. I have seen where this country has come from and where it is going. I hail President Museveni for his good and wise leadership.”
He credited the President’s commitment to peace, development and wealth creation, noting that government programs have significantly benefited local communities. Sserunga urged Kitagwenda residents to overwhelmingly vote for President Museveni to consolidate ongoing development.
President Museveni, visibly touched, thanked Mzee Sserunga for his longstanding service and guidance, saying his experience and counsel remain invaluable to fishing and farming communities.
“I thank God for enabling me to meet my veteran comrade Mzee Bruhan Sserunga. I will engage him further,” the President said.
Museveni Applauds Kitagwenda for Embracing the Money Economy
President Museveni commended Kitagwenda farmers for actively joining the money economy—an idea he has championed since the 1960s. “I am informed that 60% of homes are already engaged in the money economy. This is good news,” he said.
He explained the difference between development and wealth creation, underscoring that while development benefits entire communities, wealth is generated at the individual or household level.
“Many people confuse development and wealth. Development is for all, but wealth is personal,” he said, illustrating the point using a Banyankole blessing that references livestock, not tarmac roads.
Although acknowledging the importance of infrastructure, Museveni stressed that “wealth at household level should never be taken for granted.”
The President praised Local Defence Units (LDUs) for supporting the army in defeating ADF rebels, noting Kitagwenda’s proximity to the DRC makes peace especially vital.
He announced that government has secured a loan to construct the Ibanda–Kagongo–Kabujogera–Kamwenge road, attributing previous delays to security prioritization.
President Museveni celebrated successful farmers such as George Matongo, who transitioned from subsistence to commercial agriculture. He stressed that households without income contribute to wider economic challenges, as they lower overall tax generation.
He also pledged to establish a coffee processing factory to support local farmers.
On job creation, Museveni reiterated that government jobs are limited, noting that factories now provide more than 1.3 million jobs. He emphasized regional and continental market integration as key to sustaining production and economic growth.
The President highlighted the story of Ninsiima Moria from Kitagwenda, who dropped out in Primary Three but later trained in hairdressing and mindset change through the Kyenjojo Presidential Skilling Hub. She now runs her own salon, employs two workers, trains students, and engages in poultry and coffee farming.
Museveni praised her as a shining example of how skills transform lives.
Mr. Nathan Masana, NRM Chairperson for Kitagwenda, thanked the President for maintaining peace and rolling out transformative programs such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
He reported that:
- Shs16.89 billion has been disbursed under PDM across 55 parishes, reaching 16,875 households.
- The district has 18 Emyooga SACCOs with 12,543 members, supported with Shs960 million.
- Kitagwenda has 68 government and 88 private primary schools, and 7 government and 13 private secondary schools, serving over 32,703 learners.
- However, 23 parishes lack government primary schools, and 7 sub-counties lack government secondary schools.
- Only one sub-county has a Health Centre IV, and four have Health Centre IIIs, leaving eight without either.
He appealed for health facility upgrades, new Health Centre IIIs, and continued investment in water supply infrastructure.
Currently, 62% of villages have access to safe water, with ongoing programs targeting universal coverage in the next two years.
Masana praised solar-powered irrigation systems in Ntutu and Kyendangara for boosting coffee production and income, and welcomed ongoing rural electrification efforts.
He concluded by reaffirming Kitagwenda’s support for the President and NRM programs.
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