President Museveni in Namisindwa
NAMISINDWA. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the residents of Greater Mbale District for their role in ending smuggling activities that once posed a significant obstacle to the region’s economy during the early days of the NRM government.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!During his campaign rally at Namisindwa Technical College in Namisindwa District , Museveni described smuggling as “suicidal” to the national economy. He emphasized that the decisive actions taken by the NRM government against smugglers greatly contributed to Uganda’s economic stability and growth.
Administrative changes under the NRM government led to the division of Mbale District into Sironko, Manafwa, and later the creation of Namisindwa and Bududa districts.
Museveni recalled that the smuggling of goods from Kenya via Mbale, as well as other items coming from Burundi and Rwanda through the Katuna Border in Kabale District, had stifled production in Uganda in the early years of the NRM. However, his government addressed the problem decisively, thanks to the cooperation of the local communities.
His remarks referenced Uganda’s past struggles with political instability and the chaos of the early 1980s following Idi Amin’s overthrow, which created opportunities for smuggling and lawlessness. During those times, border porosity and political disorder facilitated the influx of illicit goods, weapons, and drugs into the country.
A range of smuggled items including firearms, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and consumer products had historically undermined national security, fueled corruption, hampered domestic production, and caused revenue losses.
“Some people complained that we are stopping them from doing business, but I told your leaders that this smuggling is suicide. By smuggling, you kill the jobs of your children,” he said.
Museveni explained that smuggling had thrived not only due to the lack of effective law enforcement but also because of a shortage of goods in the country, worsened by political instability.
“But now there are so many goods in Uganda, and it’s the buyers who are few. It’s because of the peace we have achieved,” he added.
CUE IN…: MUSEVENI ON SMUGGLING
He also highlighted the transformative impact of the NRM government’s policies in Greater Mbale, noting significant developmental progress in infrastructure, health, and education.
Museveni announced plans to improve connectivity in the region by jointly implementing the tarmacking of the Kufu-Mbale road through Namisindwa, alongside the construction of the Bubulo-Bududa circular road in neighboring Bududa District.
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Furthermore, Museveni issued a firm warning to district engineers and contractors. “Shoddy work will not be tolerated. We need durable roads that serve our people for many years to come,” he said.
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