Mukono — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged continued investment in road infrastructure in Mukono District and surrounding areas to decongest Kampala, improve the flow of people and goods, and drive economic transformation under the NRM government.

Speaking at a massive campaign rally at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Naggalama Grounds, on Friday, January 2, 2026, President Museveni said the government is prioritising alternative road corridors that bypass Kampala, reducing the chronic traffic congestion in the capital.

“Because of the heavy traffic, we want most vehicles to pass on roads outside Kampala, instead of all traffic being forced through the city,” he said.

The President, who is also the NRM presidential flagbearer for 2026, was joined by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, senior party leaders, Cabinet ministers, and NRM mobilizers from Buganda.

Museveni highlighted ongoing and planned road projects, including the Kampala–Jinja highway, the Mukono–Kampala section, and the remaining Mukono–Jinja stretch. Other key routes improving regional connectivity include the Kayunga–Kangulumira–Jinja road, Mukono–Katosi (Bakunja) road, and Kayunga–Baale–Galiraya road.

Mukono District NRM Chairperson Hajji Haruna Ssemakula raised concerns about persistent congestion along the Mukono–Kampala corridor and requested additional feeder and connecting roads, including the Misindye–Kiyunga–Naggalama–Zirobwe route. President Museveni confirmed these roads are included in government plans, emphasising connections to Zirobwe, Seeta, Namugongo, and Nansana.

On the Northern Bypass, the President noted urban expansion had altered initial planning assumptions, stating, “We worked on the Northern Bypass, thinking Kampala would remain south of it. But Kampala expanded beyond it. The Northern Bypass is now the central bypass.”

Crackdown on PDM Fund Mismanagement

Beyond infrastructure, President Museveni addressed reports of mismanagement and theft of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Mukono, allegedly involving parish officials and SACCO committees.

“The money is there. I am sending it, and it is reaching the villages, but some people are diverting it,” he said, urging residents to actively participate in parish SACCO meetings and hold leaders accountable. He announced that PDM National Coordinator Hon. Galabuzi Ssozi would investigate whether local PDM committees were lawfully elected.

The President also criticised youth disengagement from leadership processes, calling for active civic participation. “You must know how to defend your country,” he said to applause from the crowd.

Official statistics show that Mukono District and Municipality, comprising 97 parishes, have received Shs34.59 billion under the PDM programme, with Shs28.52 billion (82.4%) disbursed to 31,248 beneficiary households.

NRM Achievements and Manifesto Highlights

Using the rally to outline the NRM manifesto, President Museveni cited seven key contributions of the ruling party, beginning with peace. On education, he highlighted Mukono’s 220 government and 962 private primary schools, 25 government and 270 private secondary schools.

In health, Mukono’s 18 sub-counties have one hospital, one Health Centre IV, and 17 Health Centre IIIs, with plans to upgrade several facilities and construct new ones in Katosi and Namataba.

Water access stands at 96%, with completed projects serving thousands, including the solar-powered Kapeeke Village scheme and Kabembe–Kalagi–Naggalama Water Supply Project.

Museveni urged households to pursue economic self-reliance through the Four-Acre Model and other initiatives, noting that government jobs are limited. He cited successful commercial enterprises, including Jeka Poultry Farm in Kamuli and industrial parks in Sino-Mbale and Namanve, as examples of wealth creation.

Calls for Support

Maama Janet Museveni urged residents to vote for NRM candidates in the January 15, 2026, polls, calling it “your contribution to building Uganda, a country your grandchildren will be proud of.” NRM leaders Alhajji Moses Kigongo and Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among also highlighted the party’s role in industrialisation and employment creation.

Mukono District and Municipality have a combined population of 929,224, with 442,422 registered voters as of 2025, up from 355,275 in 2024. The number of polling stations has increased from 619 to 960. NRM leaders described Mukono as a strategic battleground and expressed confidence in improved performance in 2026.