Museveni Castigates People Not Supporting Free Education Policy

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer, has stressed the importance of free education in government schools.

“Those who don’t support my policy of free education are creating a time bomb, conserving ignorance, and destroying the future of our children along with their potential. You have seen in just six months in the Presidential Skilling Hubs what these children are producing,” he said.

The President who was in the company of the First Daughter, Mrs. Natasha Karugire Museveni, made the remarks today while addressing a campaign rally in Kapchorwa district.

According to President Museveni, some of these policymakers will even deny themselves a place in heaven, because when a child says, “My parents died, but I want to go to school’. Who will take responsibility? Uganda is one big family. If a parent dies, the family of Uganda, through its government, must take care of those children. That is what the NRM stands for. Let us stop this wastage of human resource. These children are our greatest wealth.”

President Museveni also revisited the unresolved boundary issue between Mount Elgon National Park and surrounding communities.

“Our mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and wetlands are not political issues. They are matters of science and survival. Just as the human body depends on organs working in harmony, our environment must remain intact to sustain us. Interfering with these ecosystems can have severe consequences,” he said.

The President assured the people of Kapchorwa that the survey team would return to finalize boundary verification and resolve the matter decisively.

Highlighting the role of local talent and entrepreneurship, President Museveni pointed to athletics superstar Joshua Cheptegei, who has expanded his community service into tourism.

“Mountains are not only for agriculture. They can support tourism and other enterprises,” he said.

On disaster response, the President emphasized support for landslide-affected families.

“Each household will receive two acres of land, Shs10 million, and compensation for crops and property lost. After the elections, we will hold a comprehensive discussion on long-term resettlement solutions,” he said.

The President also handed over the NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Kapchorwa District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections.

Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, the Speaker of Parliament, also the NRM Second National Vice Chairperson said, “We thank you for the peace and development in Sebei. The Parish Development Model has brought wealth and opportunities to our people.”

Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub beneficiary speaks out:

Ms. Peace Chelangat, a former primary seven dropout from Tegeres, Kapchorwa District thanked President Museveni for turning around her life through the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub initiative.

Today, she owns a thriving salon and employs three people.

Ms. Chelangat, who used to earn a living by selling tomatoes in her village, said a friend encouraged her to join the Kapchorwa Presidential Industrial Skilling hub.

“I joined the hub to learn hairdressing. After completing six months of training, I sold my phone and used the money as capital to buy accessories. Today, I own a salon and employ three people. The hub completely changed my life,” she testified.

“Thank you for the Sh50m through the hub beneficiary SACCOs. We are benefiting and making wonders in our small businesses.”

Kapchorwa statistics:

Kapchorwa District comprises two constituencies, 15 sub-counties and town councils, 85 parishes, and 641 villages. According to the 2024 census report, the district has a total population of 133,621 residents.

The Parish Development Model (PDM) has provided substantial support to households across Kapchorwa. The district’s 85 parishes have cumulatively received Shs. 17.91 billion, of which 94.96% has already been disbursed to 17,168 beneficiary households.

Kapchorwa Municipality’s 27 parishes have received Shs. 8.29 billion, with 92.88% disbursed to 8,084 households.

Under the Emyooga program, the district’s two constituencies host 36 SACCOs with 25,226 members. Government support totals Shs. 1.49 billion, empowering residents to start and expand income-generating activities.

When it comes to education, Kapchorwa District has 24 government primary schools serving 19,499 pupils and five secondary schools with 2,678 students. Kapchorwa Municipality has 16 government primary schools enrolling 11,754 pupils and four secondary schools with 1,738 students.

All secondary schools offer Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET).

To further expand access to education, plans are underway to construct three new secondary schools under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) program and the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP). Once completed, only four sub-counties will remain without a government secondary school.

Kapchorwa District currently has one hospital, one HCIV, and eight HCIII facilities. Five sub-counties still lack a health facility of HCIII standard or above. Planned upgrades include Amukol HCII and Chepterech HCII, both set to be elevated to HCIII to enhance access to quality healthcare services.

Access to safe water remains a priority. Out of 641 villages, 328 (49%) have safe water, leaving 313 villages (51%) underserved. Piped water systems serve 65,450 residents in Kapchorwa Municipality and 10,800 in Sipi Town Board. Ongoing projects include the Chemosong Gravity Flow Scheme and Matera Piped Water System, extending services to mountainous communities. Plans are also underway to augment and extend the Sipi Water System to meet growing domestic and tourism-related demands.

Water-for-production initiatives are expanding. The Cheptui Irrigation Scheme in Kapsinda Sub-county benefits 14 farmers directly through a demonstration garden and 45 out-growers engaged in horticulture. Expansion works and performance improvement studies are ongoing, with new climate-smart demonstration sites planned at Kapropen and Teryet to increase high-altitude agricultural productivity.

The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.