Africa-Press – Uganda. The Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has cautioned Ugandans against taking the country’s prevailing peace for granted, describing it as “delicate as glass.”
“We have been in power for 40 years, but 20 of those were spent dealing with various wars. Now, Uganda is finally stable. Open your eyes and see the peace we have built. Peace is like glass—useful and beautiful when handled carefully, but dangerous when it falls, because it can cut you,” Otafiire said.
He made the remarks on Wednesday during President Museveni’s campaign rally at Kirambi Ruhinda Market Grounds in Mitooma District.
Otafiire, one of the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war veterans, urged the public to support President Museveni’s 2026 bid, saying it is the surest way to protect the peace and stability ushered in by the NRM government.
“Those who say ‘Museveni must go’ should stand behind us so we can show them how to protect this peace. Stay behind us and we will show you how to hunt down the leopard,” he added, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
First Lady Janet Museveni praised Otafiire for reminding Ugandans of the country’s turbulent past and the progress made since then.
Addressing him as Afande, she said he had spoken “like a senior leader” in urging the public to safeguard peace.
She added that Uganda has become a source of hope for neighbouring nations that are still unstable, and thanked God for guiding President Museveni and the NRM government in steering the country forward.
“Those who remember where we have come from should strengthen the NRM so that we can continue building Uganda into a better place. Our country is now a source of hope for neighbouring nations that are still unstable,” Mrs Museveni said.
Museveni Asks Gains be Protected
President Museveni told the gathering that the NRM’s primary contribution upon taking power was the restoration of peace, which he said was achieved by uniting the country and building national institutions such as the army, police, prisons, and civil service.
He highlighted infrastructural progress in roads, health, education, electricity, and water.
The President cited the Ishaka–Kashenshero road, noting that plans are underway to extend the tarmac to Rukungiri, along with the Bwizibwera–Kabwohe–Kitagata road, which will later be extended to Mitooma.
He emphasized that although plans exist, government is limited by resources and must prioritize the most critical projects, assuring the public that “everything will be worked on.”
On health services, Museveni noted that Mitooma District’s 18 sub-counties have one district hospital, one health centre IV, and nine health centre IIIs, leaving seven sub-counties without health facilities.
He announced plans to upgrade Kigyende Health Centre II and Iraramira Health Centre II to health centre IIIs, and to construct new health centre IIIs in Rutookye Town Council, Mutara, Kabira, Nyakizinga, and Katenga Sub-Counties.
Museveni also stressed that despite development strides, wealth creation remains a challenge. He said many people still confuse public infrastructure with individual wealth, urging Ugandans to work for personal prosperity. “Schools, roads, and health facilities are for all of us, but poverty or wealth is for you as an individual,” he said.
He encouraged the public to make use of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa thanked President Museveni for granting Mitooma district status and pledged to mobilize votes across the Greater Bushenyi sub-region.
He appealed for government support to provide fertilizers to farmers and for assistance in securing land titles for families that settled in the district in the 1950s.
Speaking on the sidelines of the rally, members of NRM South Sudan branch underscored the need to protect Ugada’s peace.
“For us in Juba, where w work, shops are closed at 7pm but back home in Uganda, businesses operate overnight and people can move from one border to another without anyone stopping them,” said Twaha Othman Musa, the group spokesperson.
He hailed President Museveni for the country’s deployment of its troops to other countries like Somalia, South Sudan and DRC which he said are meant to ensure peace in Uganda.
“Our troops are in those countries to ensure we stay in Uganda peacefully. For example there were guns coming from Somalia and South Sudan but deploying our troops that side, these were stopped.”
” We are seeing refugees coming from Khartoum, coming from Somalia, coming from all over the world to Uganda, because it is a safe destination for human beings. This is one reason we should support and vote President Museveni for another term and protect these gains.”
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