The persistent service delivery gaps in Luwero district are due to the residents’ decision to overwhelmingly vote for the opposition in the 2021 general elections, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
In those elections, Luwero, a district historically tied to the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle, delivered a stinging rejection of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Museveni managed only 41,166 votes (27.94 per cent), while his main rival, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, polled 103,782 votes (70.45 per cent).
The NRM also lost all four parliamentary seats, along with several local government positions. On Wednesday, Museveni returned to Luwero for campaigns, holding a rally at the Bukalasa Agricultural College playgrounds in Wobulenzi town council.
He reminded residents of Luwero’s symbolic role in the 1981-1986 NRA war that ushered him into power, saying the district had always been the starting point for his campaigns in recognition of its historic support.
Expectations were high that Museveni would use the rally to address long-standing demands from residents, including the upgrade of key roads, the construction of a pineapple fruit factory, and the elevation of Luwero town to municipality status.
The district is also struggling with rampant land evictions, ranking among the top in Uganda for cases of criminal trespass and malicious property damage linked to land conflicts.
However, in his speech, Museveni accused the residents of committing suicide by electing opposition leaders such as Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya and the LCV chairperson, whom he said lacked the capacity to push for services or confront the rising wave of criminality in the district.
Museveni also linked the rampant land grabbing to what he termed “weak opposition leaders,” saying they had failed to defend residents from illegal evictions. He urged voters to return to the NRM fold in 2026 if they wanted lasting solutions.
He explained that the government’s long-term plan is to buy off landlords and distribute land to tenants, but admitted that the programme may take time due to limited resources. He promised that revenues from the country’s oil sector, expected soon, would boost the government’s capacity to resolve such land disputes.
In addition, Museveni pledged to crack down on the theft of drugs and Parish Development Model funds if re-elected in 2026. Museveni also used the rally to settle internal party disputes, persuading Cissy Mulondo, who lost the NRM primaries for the Luwero Woman MP seat, to step aside in favour of the official flag-bearer, Agnes Kirabo.
This, he said, would present a united front against incumbent NUP MP Brenda Nabukenya. But Nabukenya quickly fired back, accusing Museveni of scapegoating instead of accounting for his nearly four decades in power.
She argued that the district had supported NRM leaders in the past, including Alhajj Abdul Nadduli, the late Edward Khiddu Makubuya, and the late Wilberforce Kisamba Mugerwa, yet little had changed. She further alleged that some of the land-grabbing crises facing the area are being fuelled by government officials themselves.
Ah! Luwero was Rwandese Museveni’s open burial place & those of us who saw it won’t forget!
Ugandans, please, NO to the tribalistic system NOW, & UNITY with just ONE National/Common Leader are all you need to stop all this inhumanity that Rwandese Museveni has made normality!
From which tribal land & which tribes will join Rwandese Museveni to fight to come back from once Ugandans UNITE?
Ts the balalo who have grabbed land in luwero n protected by sfc then somebody wants Brenda nabukenya fight gun wielding thieves,…oh…. People of luwero you know what the problem is
Here we go again! I remember attending classes/gospel of President Museveni at Soroti Flying school in the days of Betty Bigombe. The president would write on blackboard;
Problem of Africa:
1). Ignorance
2). Backwardness,
3).Corruption
4). Leaders wanting to die in Power.
I don’t know what happen to that educative materials Mr. President? I believe even your son must have asked you the same question. My son asked me the other day, “Dad you tell us to listen to you, can you also listen to us”. I believe a smart student/child would question a smart teacher/parent too. I feel very sorry for my Etesot people as each time any regime is going down it turns to Etesot because of their gifted bravely with guns. Don’t forget the hopes UPC left in Teso, and what happened. One of my distant relative fought with the likes of Eregu, Omax Omeda(RIP), even with some of those serving in current regime.
I would love to see the President get to Mukura where innocent Etesot young boys were suffocated to death in train wagon, politely ask for their forgiveness. The VP and speaker Amongin should organizing for it as this is souls of your brethren still cries out. Also, Elweru should apologize for the souls of innocent Kasese. Human soul is bigger than life. We read about Abel and Cain in the Bible. God told Cain, Where is your brother? Arrogantly, Cain said, am I my brother’s keeper? Genesis 4, Perhaps this the curse on Uganda as nation. When we are rejected why do kill your brethren who are favored by God?
I once overheard a retired Colonel in Jinja talking how Etesot cattle were taken on trailers. It was sad narration. This too requires an apology too.
When I hear Eddy Kenzo talk about his Dad, Chef Ali(RIP) whom I saw in Soroti garden ordering firing squad with no remorse, boasting how NRA can’t be messed up with, I feel sorry for Eddy Kenzo. I know we can’t own our parent’s sin thou we can partly take responsibility for their action by asking for forgiveness to those the hurt. I believe they too would want the same thing as they feel the pain on the other side.
For those labelling tribes or Country, that’s not Ugandan gifted by nature is. God gave us the gift of Nile, Lake Victoria, natural resources, unique culture to share. Our ancestors too were Immigrant(Bantu, Luo, etc) who welcomed everyone. Hospitality makes us stand out. I believe our neighbors would attest to our hospitality. Let’s not erase or abuse that gift.
In conclusion, those enjoying ill gotten wealth in Uganda it’s not to late to repent. Soon you will be joining those who have gone ahead us. I could see Mutebile(RIP) saying you were too corrupt…I warned you, see what we have done to our country and brethren. We will meet in the courts of undying, we can’t avoid it. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”. Hebrews 9:27.
In other words, it was the opposition that went to the bushes of Luweero in Feb 1981, and for 5 years through: subversion, terrorism of blowing up UTC Commuter Buses as well as Ambulances that were ferrying pregnant and expectant mothers en-route to Nakaseke Hospital.
It was the same corrupt opposition currently in power and for the last 40 years and counting, who are still in charge of budget allocation and misallocation, blah, blah black sheep have you any wool? No sir and none for the Master!
Otherwise, it is despicable that: an 85-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA like our, Gen Tibuhaburwa shamelessly, loudly and clearly tell naked lies to the very people whom he has devasted their future through the violence in Luweero, dispossessed of premium land and impoverished them.
It is despicable that: after being in power for 39 years and counting a one foot in the grave 85-year-old man is desperately competing for political power with some Ugandans who are the equivalent of his grandchildren.
It is like everyday jajja telling lies and fighting with bazukulu over memvu (monkey banana).
SHAME!