President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday addressed a massive rally at Rwere Playground in Kanungu District where he unveiling a new loan scheme aimed at supporting large-scale farmers, particularly those cultivating tea, coffee, and cocoa.

The initiative will allow farmers to purchase fertilizers and repay the funds through their SACCOs after selling their produce.

Accompanied by First Daughter Patience Rwabwogo and senior NRM leaders, Museveni received a jubilant welcome from thousands of supporters. He emphasized that peace remains one of the NRM’s most important achievements, particularly for border districts like Kanungu.

“The first contribution is peace, and for the people of Kanungu, you know what it means to live in insecurity. But all that was resolved, and you are now living peacefully,” Museveni said.

The President also highlighted ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, including work on the Ntungamo–Rukungiri–Kanungu–Ishasha road, and the government’s plans to upgrade the Hamugwa–Kerere–Kanungu–Buhoma–Butogota–Hamayanja–Mpasha–Ikundya road and the Ishasha–Katuna route. He noted that the district now hosts 22 government secondary schools and 136 primary schools, signaling significant expansion of social and economic services.

However, Museveni cautioned residents against focusing solely on roads and infrastructure.

“Even if we tarmac the roads, you will not sleep on them. First, sort household income; the rest will be worked on by government,” he said.

Revisiting Uganda’s agricultural history, Museveni reminded residents of the four-acre model introduced in the 1990s to help small landholders diversify into poultry, piggery, fish farming, and zero grazing.

He also recounted introducing tea planting in Uganda with the support of former ministers Amama and Jackie Mbabazi.

Uganda’s tea production has grown from 3 million to 60 million bags despite challenges linked to limited fertilizer use.

Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi praised Museveni’s leadership, recalling their long history in the NRM.

“Mr Museveni has led us through difficult times to where we are now. We are the key witnesses of the transformation he has taken Uganda through,” Mbabazi said.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among addressed the rally, announcing that 140 million Euros had been secured for a key road project in the region. She commended the President for allocating Shs310 million to support the tea sector and emphasized the importance of security in the border district.