President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday addressed a massive rally at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, bringing together thousands of former National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, Muslim leaders, university students and youth groups, as Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections.
Addressing more than 10,000 NUP converts, President Museveni formally welcomed them into the National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the party as a mass-based movement founded on empowering ordinary citizens and broadening political participation from the village level to the presidency.
“The NRM has always been a party of the poor. That is why we empowered people to elect their leaders from LC1 up to the President,” Museveni said, noting that political inclusion and economic empowerment remain the backbone of the party’s ideology.
Free Education and Accountability
The President reiterated that the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) in 1997 was informed by the harsh reality that many Ugandan parents could not afford school fees, leaving millions of children locked out of education.
However, he expressed concern that the free education policy has been undermined by illegal charges imposed by some school administrators and local leaders.
“Free education was introduced, but it has been sabotaged by some head teachers and leaders. That is why Ugandans must elect leaders who can enforce government policies,” Museveni said.
He urged parents, students and communities to reject unlawful fees in government schools and report officials who frustrate the policy, emphasizing that free education is a right meant to benefit all Ugandan children, regardless of background.
Roads, Health and Public Service Delivery
Turning to infrastructure, Museveni questioned the poor state of some murram roads despite annual government funding for their maintenance. He called for better supervision, transparency and reporting where funds are inadequate.
On healthcare, the President said government regularly supplies medicines to public health facilities, but shortages persist due to theft and weak oversight.
“Medicines are delivered, but they disappear. That is a leadership and supervision problem. Leaders must be held accountable so drugs reach patients,” he said.
Wealth Creation and Jobs
Reaffirming the government’s wealth creation agenda, Museveni highlighted programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other initiatives aimed at lifting households out of poverty.
“Every Ugandan should join their parish SACCO and ensure parish committees help everyone benefit,” he said, warning against the theft and sabotage of PDM funds and urging citizens to report offenders.
On employment, the President said jobs are largely created through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. He cited the example of Mr. Johnson Basangwa from Kamuli District, who started poultry farming on a 50-by-100-foot plot and now employs over 300 people.
“This shows that wealth creation is possible even with limited land,” Museveni said.
Support from Muslims and Youth
Muslim leaders from various regions pledged support for President Museveni and the NRM in the forthcoming elections. Sheikh Sulaiman Ssemakula from Greater Mpigi thanked the President for promoting unity and supporting the Muslim community.
“The NRM respects all faiths without discrimination, and we appreciate your support for Muslims and national unity,” Sheikh Ssemakula said.
Museveni assured Muslims that his responsibility is to ensure equal access to free education, healthcare and wealth creation opportunities for all Ugandans, regardless of religion.
The President also commended more than 8,000 students from higher institutions of learning mobilised under the Sauti ya Vijana platform for strengthening NRM structures among the youth.
Presidential Advisor Hope Mazirwe thanked Museveni for championing free education and student empowerment, pledging continued support from students. Meanwhile, Sauti ya Vijana coordinator Jacob Eyeru said the initiative targets more than 3.1 million students who were previously in school during earlier campaigns but are now eligible voters.
“We are sensitising students about NRM wealth creation programmes and engaging them through a WhatsApp platform on the party manifesto,” Eyeru said.
Call to Reject Corruption
President Museveni urged the youth and the wider population to decisively reject corruption, warning that it undermines service delivery and slows national development.
“Corruption must be rejected completely. It destroys services and slows down development,” he said.
In a separate engagement, Museveni also met members of the Unstoppable Group led by Nelson Tugume, who pledged nationwide mobilisation in support of the NRM.
The President noted that Uganda has made significant progress over the last four decades, with about 70 percent of households now participating in the money economy.
“Our task is to bring every household into the money economy. Free education and fighting corruption are non-negotiable,” Museveni said.
The various groups at Kololo reaffirmed their commitment to support President Museveni and the NRM in the upcoming 2026 elections.
