President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to use the country’s oil resources wisely, saying the petroleum wealth should help create long-term development rather than short-term excitement.
The President delivered this message on Thursday, December 11, 2025, while addressing residents of Buliisa Town Council during his campaign trail in the Bunyoro sub-region.
Museveni, who is the NRM National Chairman and Presidential flagbearer for the 2026 elections, said Uganda’s oil should serve as a temporary boost to the economy, not a permanent solution.
“We have new wealth in petroleum, but it is exhaustible. We have 6.5 billion barrels, and we can only mine it for about 25 years,” President Museveni said.
“We must use this oil money to create durable wealth. We cannot keep eating the money from oil and then import things like perfumes and whiskey. That is not development.”
He explained that successful oil-producing countries such as Norway and Saudi Arabia invested their oil revenues in long-term wealth funds instead of spending it quickly.
Buliisa is at the heart of Uganda’s oil and gas sector. The Tilenga Project, operated by TotalEnergies, is expected to produce up to 190,000 barrels per day, while the Kingfisher Project, run by CNOOC, aims for 40,000 barrels per day.
Museveni encouraged residents to prepare for many new jobs and economic opportunities that will come with the growing oil sector.
Fishing is the main source of income for families around Lake Albert, but overfishing and illegal gear have caused serious shortages.
The President promised to meet local leaders and traditional fishing families to agree on a sustainable plan for the sector.
He also instructed the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit to return all motorcycles, boats, and engines taken from fishermen during operations.
However, he said illegal nets will not be given back.
“The bad fishing gear should be shown publicly and recorded, but not returned,” Museveni stressed.
The President asked the people of Buliisa to continue supporting the NRM, saying the government has delivered peace, roads, and jobs.
“Regarding peace, you are the best witnesses because you know what is happening in Congo. Without peace, we can’t do anything,” Museveni told the residents.
He highlighted completed roads such as the Hoima–Buliisa road and the tarmac built inside Buliisa Town Council.
Museveni emphasized Wealth Creation, the third pillar of the NRM’s 2026–2031 manifesto.
He encouraged families with small land to adopt the 4-acre model, which includes:
One acre for coffee
One acre for fruits
One acre for pasture for dairy cows
One acre for food crops
He also advised families near water to add poultry, piggery, and fish farming.
The President pointed to the Kamanyire Demonstration Farm in Kakumiro, operated by Minister Fred Byamukama, as proof that the model works.
The farm runs several enterprises including bananas, coffee, dairy, poultry, and piggery.
Museveni also gave an example of his own farm in Barlege, Lango, where he practices the same model with zero-grazing, fishponds, fruits, and dairy cows.
“From my 50-meter by 100-meter fishpond, I get 100 million shillings a year. After removing costs, I remain with 70 million,” he said.
Job Creation Through the Private Sector
The President reminded the public that most jobs come from private businesses and factories.
He mentioned successful examples such as:
Jeka Poultry Farm (Kamuli) – 300 workers
Sino-Mbale Industrial Park – 12,000 workers
Namanve Industrial Park – 273 factories employing 24,000 people
He said the government will continue expanding industrial parks to create even more jobs.
NRM Leaders Pledge Support
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among thanked the President for approving funding for the Masindi–Biso–Buliisa road.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and NRM Western Vice Chairperson Eng. Asiimwe Jonard also addressed the crowd, promising overwhelming support for Museveni in Buliisa during the 2026 elections.
Buliisa’s Growing Voter Population
Buliisa District has 167,894 people, according to the 2024 census.
In the 2021 election, the district had 44,869 registered voters. Museveni won 72.5% of the vote.
For 2026, the number of registered voters has grown to 61,122, and polling stations have increased from 96 to 148.
The President is expected to continue his campaigns across the Bunyoro region, focusing on oil development, agriculture, and job creation — the top concerns for local voters.
