Buyende: President Yoweri Museveni has commended Minister for Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, for her exceptional mobilization skills, describing her as a “good mobilizer”.
Presiding over Babalanda’s thanksgiving ceremony on June 7, 2024, at Iringa Township Primary School in Buyende District, Museveni hailed the Minister to for her good leadership in the Presidency.
“I’m very happy to be here to thank God for the life of my daughter, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda. Babirye has been a good leader and mobilizer of the NRM,” Museveni said.
The President also cautioned NRM leaders against forming political camps within the party, emphasizing the importance of unity and working together for the good of Uganda.
“We didn’t agree with old political parties like the Democratic Party (DP) which were promoting sectarianism based on religion and tribe. As NRM, we believe in politics of interest, that is why we have the four core principles of Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic transformation, and democracy,” President Museveni explained.
He reiterated his call to the people of Busoga to fight poverty through wealth creation, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between development and wealth.
“In mobilization and politics, let me be clear, Ugandans, we have these people who mix up issues, they always cause confusion, especially when it comes to words like development, such as roads, electricity, schools. These are for us all. You can have development but still remain poor,” President Museveni said.
The President also urged the people of Busoga to take advantage of government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) to fight poverty. He advised citizens to actively take part in the four sectors of the economy, which include agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
“In the whole world, government jobs cannot be enough, and they cannot deal with the challenge of unemployment. Most jobs are in the private sector: manufacturing, services, agriculture, and ICT. Here in Uganda, public service jobs are just 480,000, but factories alone employ 1.2 million people,” President Museveni said.
He also gave an example of the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, who employs 26 people on his four-acre model farm and makes Shs 85 million monthly.
Minister Babalanda expressed her gratitude to President Museveni for his support and guidance throughout her career.
“I thank God for enabling me to build and maintain my character, and for not shaming you this far. I thank the President for identifying me and giving me the opportunity to serve. I promise not to disappoint you as the appointing authority, the NRM government, all Ugandans, and the people of Busoga,” Minister Babalanda said.
Minister Babalanda also shared her personal story, revealing that she had made a mistake after her O-levels by joining an institution that was not affiliated to the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB). She, however, thanked President Museveni for advising her to return to school, which she did, and is now a proud owner of a bachelor’s degree.
The ceremony was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, NRM leaders, RDCs/RCCs, religious leaders, among other dignitaries.
During the event, leaders in Busoga Sub-region requested President Museveni to contest as the NRM National Chairman and party flag bearer for the 2026 Presidential elections.
“We request that for seniority and continuation of clear-headed leadership, and for the steady transformation of Busoga and the entire country, President Museveni should accept to contest at the forthcoming NRM Delegates Conference as the NRM National Chairman and party Presidential flag bearer (2026-2031),” Hon. Babalanda said, reading a resolution from the leaders.
The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga, thanked President Museveni for signing the Sugarcane (Amendment) Bill into law and for streamlining the fishing sector in the sub-region.
Hon. Moses Magogo, the NRM Chairperson for Buyende and Member of Parliament for Budiope East, thanked President Museveni for his good leadership and for extending social services and programs to their region, aimed at fighting poverty.
President Museveni also contributed Shs 100 million for the construction of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the area and pledged that the government would tarmac Kamuli road, Jinja-Budondo road, and Walugogo-Luuka road.
