The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has urged Ugandans to guard the country’s prevailing peace “like a glass,” warning that any recklessness could shatter the stability restored by the NRM.
He delivered the caution on Wednesday as President Yoweri Museveni and senior party leaders campaigned in Mitooma District.
Otafiire reminded the gathering of Uganda’s turbulent past. “We have spent 40 years in power but 20 years wasted in various wars. But now Uganda is stable,” he said.
“Open your eyes and see the peace we have created. Peace is like a glass, it’s good when you are still holding it. Once it drops down it can cut you. Those of you saying Museveni must go, just get behind us and we show you how we can protect your peace.”
He urged supporters to remain aligned with the NRM leadership: “Stay behind us and we show you how to hunt down the leopard. Don’t go ahead of us because the leopard might devour you and also kill us.”
He further cautioned against complacency ahead of the 2026 polls: “Let no one deceive you that we already have victory. Let all of you go for voting, those who are sick and those who are not.”
President Museveni opened his remarks by noting that peace in Uganda is a product of strong state institutions built by the NRM.
He highlighted Mitooma’s development milestones: “All sub-counties in Mitooma are connected to the national power grid apart from three.” He added, “I can see in my file that all villages have clean water,” and announced that “The road from Bwizi–Kabwohe–Kitagata will be extended to Mitooma.”
He called for disciplined planning: “Tell your MPs to consider prioritization. They should consider our advice of working on one project at a time.”
Museveni noted that “Mitooma is doing well in terms of social infrastructure,” citing the district’s 109 government-aided primary schools, 97 private primary schools, 16 government-aided secondary schools, one government hospital under construction, and health facilities—“HC4 – 1; HC3 – 9.”
The President reminded citizens not to confuse public development with household wealth.
“Stop confusing development with household wealth. When we entered the government, we introduced the four-acre model for those with limited land acreage. Many people did not take our advice seriously but some few people heeded our call and are doing very well.” He referenced two farmers from Busoga and Karamoja who have become high earners through the model.
He encouraged commercial farming for landowners with larger acreage. “Cotton can bring money but it needs when you have grown on a large scale. Each acre can bring in Shs1m,” he said.
“Tea and maize also need extensive land. As long as you can do your calculations and get a profit, you are free to plant what you want.”
He announced: “I’m going to start a loan scheme for large-scale farmers so that they can buy fertilizers, especially the tea, coffee and maize farmers.”
