Museveni Cautions Bunyoro Against Tribal and Religious Politics

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned the people of Bunyoro to desist from engaging in tribal and religious politics, warning that such tendencies are dangerous and divisive. Museveni made the remarks on Saturday while presiding over a thanksgiving ceremony organized by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at Mpasana Seed Secondary School playground in Bugangaizi East County, Kakumiro District. 

He urged Ugandans to embrace peaceful, inclusive, and unifying politics. He attributed the peace and development under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to its commitment to “good politics,” which promotes unity among all tribes and religions. The President challenged Ugandans to uphold these values.

“Anybody who talks about tribes and religions in politics is an enemy of this country. The contribution of NRM to Uganda is, first and foremost, peace, and peace came from good politics. The politics based on tribalism and religious sectarianism should not be tolerated,” said Museveni.

The President added that because the NRM has consistently preached peace and unity, it has continued to win elections with overwhelming support. 

He urged leaders at all levels to champion unity as a cornerstone of development. Museveni also commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for their discipline and dedication to protecting the country. He credited the UPDF with ensuring national security and safeguarding Uganda’s territorial integrity. The President further urged the people of Bunyoro to actively engage in wealth creation initiatives such as commercial agriculture to combat poverty, create jobs, and boost household incomes. 

He emphasized that wealth creation is central to Uganda’s development. “While infrastructure like roads, electricity, schools, and hospitals are vital, true transformation comes through wealth creation,” Museveni stated. He called on leaders in the Bunyoro sub-region and across the country to mobilize communities to participate in government-led economic initiatives.

Museveni emphasized the importance of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which he described as a game-changer helping many Ugandans transition from subsistence to the money economy. He said the PDM supports job creation through industrialization, services, ICT, and modern agriculture.

He also encouraged adoption of his Four-Acre Model to diversify household income. 

Under this model, one acre is for coffee, another for fruit trees, a third for staple food crops, and the fourth for pasture. Additionally, farmers can rear poultry and pigs in the backyard. Museveni praised Prime Minister Nabbanja for her hard work and commitment, which he said justified her appointments to high-level government positions. In her remarks, Nabbanja thanked the President for the trust he placed in her, noting that her rise to one of the highest offices in the land was a result of diligence and dedication.

During the event, Bugangaizi East MP Aisha Agaba asked the President to intervene in what she called rampant extortion by members of the Kakumiro District Service Commission. She claimed that many job seekers had been conned but still failed to make it to the shortlist. Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of the Kampala Archdiocese, who led the prayers, urged leaders and civil servants to serve faithfully and with integrity. 

Kakumiro LC5 Chairperson Joseph Senkusu Sentayi appealed to the government to recruit more teachers and health workers to meet the demands for service delivery in the district. Bishop Jacob Ateirweho of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese called for peaceful campaigns and elections, while Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje prayed for continued peace in the lead-up to and after the 2026 general elections.