President Yoweri Museveni re-stamped his message of peace, development, and wealth creation as he campaigned in Zombo District on Saturday afternoon.
Museveni, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, was welcomed at Zombo Upper Primary School playground by senior government and NRM party leaders. These included Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Central Executive Committee (CEC) members led by Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda Denis Hamson Obua, Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, ministers, MP flagbearers, and other local leaders.
In his address to thousands of supporters, the President reiterated the government’s commitment to providing key infrastructure such as roads, schools, and health centres, noting that it was now up to the citizens to take advantage of these investments and actively create wealth using government programmes like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The President also appealed to the residents to ensure that they use their pieces of land for both food crops and commercial farming.
"From just four acres, and specifically from fish farming alone, I’m earning 100 million shillings from a single pond,” Museveni revealed, referring to his own agricultural efforts.
“The pond measures 20 meters by 50 meters. While Zombo is a bit cold and may not be ideal for fish farming, it's very good for coffee and other crops.”
The President went on to share success stories of local farmers utilizing small plots of land productively.
“There’s someone here who also keeps cows — you may have seen them, though we didn’t have time to visit. He’s earning over 1 billion shillings a year from just two and a half acres. After deducting his costs, he keeps about 800 million,” he said.
Museveni used these examples to underscore the importance of mindset change and embracing government initiatives to transition from subsistence to commercial farming.
“I appeal to the NRM members in Zombo: please listen carefully. I’m not here just to ask for votes. I want you to get out of poverty. That’s why I emphasize three things: number one, Kutch; number two, Dong lobo — though Dong lobo is there, it won’t directly help your child if you're still poor; and number three, Loonyo, which must be for every household.”
He stressed that development projects like tarmac roads and modern markets (dong lobo) are important, but without personal household income (loonyo), they benefit only a few.
“We built the road from Karuma to Koboko more than 20 years ago. But even today, many people living along that tarmac road are still poor. That’s why we started programmes like NAADS, Entandikwa, and now PDM.”
Museveni urged leaders and citizens to treat the PDM seriously, describing it as the “lowest common multiple” — a tool that can reach every household.
“We are sending 100 million shillings per parish every year. We’re adding 15 million more for parish leaders to borrow, bringing the total to 115 million. In five years, a parish should have received 575 million in new money.”
He explained that those who borrow from the fund are expected to pay it back — not to the government — but to their local SACCOs, creating a revolving fund that benefits many over time.
“If you borrow 1 million, you pay back 1,120,000 after two years. By the end of five years, a parish could have circulated almost 1 billion shillings. The goal is to lift every household out of poverty.”
The President also announced plans to support unemployed university graduates.
“We’re introducing another fund. If you’ve completed university and haven’t found a job in two years, you’ll benefit from this fund. We must make sure no one is left behind.”
Throughout the campaign event, Museveni emphasized that peace, stability, and grassroots economic empowerment remain central to the NRM’s agenda.
“I don’t want to drive my cars on tarmacked roads while your children remain in poverty along the roadside. Let’s focus on practical solutions that touch every household,” he said.
The district has so far received a total of Shs18.73b, of which Shs18.3b (97.72%) has been disbursed to 18,646 beneficiary households.