As the 2026 general elections approach, President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to Ugandans, urging them to stop inundating him with personal and local demands that are not aligned with the government’s current priorities.
Speaking during a rally in Kamwenge District on Sunday as part of his ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) zonal tour, Museveni expressed frustration over what he described as a growing tendency among citizens to treat him as a problem-solver for local issues, regardless of national planning or budgeting.
“I don’t want you to keep disturbing me,” Museveni said. “Stop shouting at me while I am on the wheel driving. I am in the driver’s seat, but there are so many voices behind me, telling me what to do and how to drive. You will make me lose control. Let me drive you to your destination. Don’t make me cause an accident.”
Museveni likened the constant barrage of requests to a group of passengers distracting a driver on the road — a potentially dangerous situation.
During the event, local leaders outlined several pressing infrastructure issues, particularly the poor state of the Fort Portal–Kijura and Kyenjojo–Kahungye–Kamwenge roads, which would require approximately Shs 77 billion for repair and tarmacking.
While acknowledging the concerns, Museveni reiterated that the government is prioritizing poverty alleviation through initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, which currently command a combined budget of Shs 1.5 trillion.
“I understand that these roads need to be worked on,” he said, “but we are spending money on other important programs such as PDM and Emyooga. We want to reach out to people in rural areas who are trapped in poverty. Should we abandon them because you people want tarmacked roads?”
Museveni emphasized that while infrastructure remains important, the government must make strategic decisions to address the country’s most urgent needs.
Museveni’s remarks come at a politically sensitive time, as preparations for the 2026 elections intensify. His analogy of being “the driver” suggests a desire to maintain control over national planning without what he sees as counterproductive interference.
As the PDM continues to roll out, the president is likely to emphasize a broader vision of long-term development over short-term fixes — a message that may define his tone on the campaign trail.
