With less than two weeks to Uganda’s general elections, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, intensified President Museveni’s campaign in the Busoga sub-region by engaging factory workers and sugarcane farmers directly.
On Saturday, Kadaga, accompanied by the Busoga National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership and a diaspora campaign team from South Africa, toured several industrial plants in Jinja City.
Addressing workers at the Keshwala Group of Companies, which operates about 12 factories across Jinja and Njeru employing over 2,000 people, Kadaga highlighted the NRM government’s record on industrial growth, job creation, and regional development.
‘Busoga has many youths who do not have sustainable jobs. As a solution, we are going to put industrial parks in all districts of Busoga. We have a challenge of land; however, there are provisions for land in Kamuli, Iganga, and Luuka for these establishments,’ Kadaga said.
The minister also addressed concerns over the minimum wage, noting: ‘The matter will be tabled, as it is a genuine concern.’
Kadaga’s tour included Makepasi Matchbox Factory, which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She praised the management for promoting inclusive work initiatives.
Earlier, Kadaga met with sugarcane farmers at Kakira Cinema Hall under the Busoga Sugarcane Growers Association.
Farmers voiced concerns over fluctuating cane prices and market manipulation, claiming both producers and consumers were being ‘double cheated,’ despite high retail prices of sugar.
Mr Keshwala, a business leader and farmer, assured Kadaga that January 15, 2026, will be declared a public holiday in factories to allow workers to vote.
The diaspora campaign team, which traveled for eight days from South Africa in a convoy of 15 vehicles, joined Kadaga to show support for Museveni’s re-election bid. Mr. Iddi Kibukgo Mugoya, chairperson of the South Africa campaign task force, said the visit was aimed at reinforcing ties with the home region ahead of the elections.
Uganda heads to the polls on January 15, when voters will elect the President and Members of Parliament.
Museveni faces seven opposition candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi (National Unity Platform), Maj Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation), Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party), Robert Kasibante (National Peoples’ Party), Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change), Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga (Citizens Movement for Progress), and Frank Bulira Kabinga (Reform Party of Uganda).
Kadaga’s campaign push in factories and farms is part of the NRM’s strategy of linking industrial development, job creation, and grassroots engagement with Museveni’s bid for a further term that could extend his presidency to almost 50 years.