President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Maama Janet Museveni on Tuesday rallied thousands of supporters at Kizinda Playground in Bushenyi District, calling for the protection of peace and renewed support for the NRM as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.

Maama Janet Museveni praised the people of Bushenyi for their visible progress in household development, organised farming, and the proper maintenance of government programmes. She said the impressive transformation was evident as they flew into the district and likened it to the notable improvements in Mbarara City.

“You have made a bold statement like the people of Mbarara,” she said. “We should always remember that peace is important, and we must ensure that we protect it. Most of you are young, but this peace was achieved through a long struggle.”

She encouraged all eligible voters not only to turn up on voting day but also to mobilise their families and neighbours. “Do not stay home. Go and vote so that we can continue enjoying peace,” she added.

President Museveni, the NRM Presidential Flagbearer, used his address to reflect on the party’s progress over the last four decades, particularly the restoration of national stability. He warned against the dangers of divisive politics, citing Sudan as a country that regressed into conflict despite its former prosperity.

“Here, the situation had also deteriorated because of divisive politics, but we managed to calm it through creating a strong army and police,” he said.

On infrastructure, Museveni highlighted ongoing and planned government investments in the region. He assured residents that the worn-out section of the Mbarara–Kasese road between Mbarara and Bushenyi would soon be rehabilitated, saying funds had been secured and a contractor identified. He also confirmed the upcoming construction of the Kitabi–Kitagata–Rwamabondo road and urged local leaders to support government prioritisation to ensure key projects are completed effectively.

Museveni expressed concern over continued electricity fluctuations despite adequate national generation and promised to follow up with the responsible agencies.

Highlighting improvements in social services, the President noted Bushenyi’s extensive education infrastructure—151 government-aided primary schools, 16 public secondary schools, 155 private primary schools and 67 private secondary schools. He said this reflected growing household prosperity and the community’s ability to pay school fees. In health, he attributed the district’s rising population, now at 300,000, to improved services and widespread immunisation.

Museveni announced a series of health facility upgrades, including elevating Kajunju and Kashenyi Health Centre IIs to Health Centre III status, constructing three new Health Centre IIIs, and upgrading one Health Centre IV to a district hospital.

He, however, cautioned residents that improved infrastructure does not automatically translate into wealth. He encouraged households to embrace commercial agriculture, referencing successful practitioners like Matonga of Nakaseke and Minister Byamukama, who have utilised the four-acre model to thrive in dairy, coffee, poultry and piggery. For those with larger landholdings, he recommended tea growing, noting that China had not imposed taxes on Ugandan tea exports.

Museveni said only 30% of Ugandans remain outside the money economy and urged greater participation in wealth-creation sectors such as commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services like tourism and hospitality, and ICT.

On job creation, the President cited industrial parks as major employment hubs, revealing that the Mbale Industrial Park alone employs 12,000 people. He added that government is in the process of securing land for a new industrial park to further expand job opportunities.

Museveni concluded his address by urging the people of Bushenyi to continue supporting the NRM’s economic transformation agenda as the nation approaches the 2026 polls.

Pope Leo has cautioned the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump against using military force to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, urging Washington to instead prioritize dialogue and apply economic pressure if it seeks political change in Caracas.

Speaking to reporters aboard his return flight from Turkey and Lebanon—his first overseas trip since being elected in May—the first U.S.-born pope emphasized that armed intervention would only escalate tensions.

“It is better to search for ways of dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure,” Pope Leo said when asked about President Trump’s threats to remove Maduro by force. He added that the United States should “search for other ways to achieve change, if that is what they want to do.”

His remarks follow a Reuters report indicating that Washington has been weighing options—including a potential attempt to overthrow Maduro—amid accusations that the Venezuelan leader is involved in drug trafficking that has harmed Americans. Maduro has repeatedly denied such allegations.

Pope Leo noted that U.S. signals regarding its Venezuela policy have been inconsistent. “On one hand, it seems there was a call between the two presidents,” he said, referring to a recent phone conversation between Trump and Maduro. “On the other hand, there is the danger, there is the possibility there will be some activity, some (military) operation. The voices that come from the United States, they change with a certain frequency.”

Originally from Chicago and having spent many years serving in Peru, Pope Leo is deeply familiar with Latin America’s political landscape—experience that informs his call for restraint and dialogue over confrontation.

On Thursday, 27 November 2025, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Uganda, Jan Sadek, attended a service at Phaneroo Ministries International, held at the Phaneroo Grounds in Naguru.

The visit marked a significant gesture of cultural and spiritual engagement, as the envoy sought to gain firsthand insight into Uganda’s social and religious life, beyond traditional diplomacy.

Addressing the thousands gathered, Ambassador Sadek shared his impressions, noting that although he resides in Kololo and often hears what some dismiss as “noise” ― presumably nightlife or club music ― the sounds emanating from Phaneroo on Thursdays and Sundays are different.

“What I heard was beautiful music,” he said, adding that witnessing the gathering in person helped him understand the attraction.

The envoy described the ministry’s founder, Grace Lubega, as a “phenomenon,” urging more people — including non-believers — to visit the fellowship. As a diplomat, he emphasized that part of his role is not only to handle political and economic affairs, but also to understand the social and spiritual dynamics that shape communities in Uganda.

Ambassador Sadek expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the inclusive spirit of the congregation. He said he was humbled to have been part of such a gathering, acknowledging that Phaneroo welcomes people from different backgrounds and opens its arms to anyone seeking fellowship.

Founded in 2014, Phaneroo Ministries International has grown into one of Uganda’s most prominent evangelical Christian fellowships. With vibrant worship sessions and dynamic preaching, the ministry attracts tens of thousands weekly, drawing especially young urban professionals and students. Through weekly services, digital broadcasts, community-outreach programmes, discipleship, and regional fellowships, the church’s influence now extends beyond Uganda’s borders.