The President emphasised the need to ensure that economic growth translates into improved household incomes, citing government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Can you have a strong army and a strong and safe country without a strong economy? Can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without cohesive politics? Finally, can you have a strong defence force and a strong and safe country without, in some cases, addressing the issue of geo-strategic location such as being landlocked?” President Museveni asked.
The EC chairperson noted that the Commission has already undertaken extensive preparations for the elections, including voter registration, the display of the national voters' register, and other polling day arrangements.
“We all know the LCI structure is the first structure and if you are to strengthen the party you start with these structures. So I encourage all the leaders to engage in these elections,” Rubongoya said.
Apart from Jimmy Lwanga, NUP's Bukoto South MP Twaha Kagabo also crossed to PLU, a political movement headed by the first son, General Muhoozi Keinerugaba.
The elections, which are scheduled to take place from July 14–16, 2024, will give an opportunity to Rwandans living in Uganda to vote at the Rwandan High Commission in Kampala on July 14, 2024, while other Rwandan missions abroad will host voting from July 15–16, 2024.