KOLOLO, Kampala: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has described the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a “silver bullet” in the fight against household poverty, saying it is already transforming livelihoods across the country.
President Museveni made the remarks while addressing the final NRM presidential campaign rally at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, where he officially concluded his nationwide campaign.
The President said testimonies gathered during his countrywide tours show that the PDM has significantly improved incomes at the grassroots, empowering communities through increased production, value addition, and access to affordable financing.
He noted that the success of the PDM is anchored in the broader economic transformation achieved under NRM leadership, which has seen Uganda’s economy grow seventeenfold from a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 3.5 billion in 1986 to USD 68.4 billion by 2026.
President Museveni attributed the economic turnaround to deliberate government policies and strong performance in key sectors such as commercial agriculture.
He cited increased production of coffee, sugar, cattle and dairy products, palm oil, cocoa, bananas, and other agricultural commodities as major drivers of growth.
The NRM presidential candidate also highlighted Uganda’s expanding industrial base, pointing to the establishment of industrial parks in Namanve, Mbale, Kapeeka, Matuga, and Lira among other.
He said the industrial parks have boosted manufacturing, created jobs, and strengthened economic transformation.
He further noted the growing contribution of the service sector, including hotels and hospitality, as well as advances in science and technology, which continue to support national development.
According to President Museveni, Uganda is currently among the world’s fastest-growing economies, ranking fifth globally after Guyana, South Sudan, Guinea, and Sudan, countries with significant natural resource endowments. He said Uganda’s performance is the result of long-term stability, sound planning, and sustained investment by the NRM government since 1986.
President Museveni outlined five priority areas for his next term if re-elected. These include strengthening poverty alleviation programs, full implementation of free universal education in government schools, enhanced supervision of public health services, stronger action against land grabbing, and intensified efforts to fight corruption while improving access to justice.
The President called on Ugandans to reject what he described as opposition misinformation and to vote for leaders with a clear understanding of national development priorities.
He also appealed for peace before, during, and after the elections, warning against violence and voter intimidation. President Museveni assured the country of security and stability, cautioning that anyone who attempts to disrupt the electoral process will face the full force of the law.
The rally was attended by thousands of supporters and graced by the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, who thanked Ugandans for turning up in large numbers and urged them to vote for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers to ensure continuity, stability, and sustained development.
President Museveni also tasked NRM leaders at the village level to mobilize voters, noting that if each of the party’s 63 leaders per village mobilizes at least three additional voters, the NRM would secure overwhelming support in Thursday’s polls.
