President Museveni’s visit to Butaleja District has ignited a storm of discontent among residents, who accuse their local leaders of betraying them during a rare opportunity to address their challenges.
Despite a decade of waiting for the president to return, the visit ended in bitter disappointment as local leaders allegedly failed to present the pressing concerns of their people.
The visit, which was restricted to a handpicked group of leaders, caused uproar even before Museveni’s arrival.
Residents, led by former parliamentary aspirant and NUP coordinator Mr. Moses Lyada, demanded a public meeting to ensure their voices were heard.
However, their calls were ignored, and the president’s interaction remained limited to the selected leaders.
Residents had high hopes that issues like poor infrastructure, rampant child marriages, declining education standards, and crumbling healthcare facilities would be raised.
Instead, those selected to meet Museveni were accused of prioritizing personal gains and flattery over community needs.
“Not only did Butaleja reap nothing from Museveni’s visit, but the leaders who attended didn’t even get allowances,” one frustrated resident remarked. “Our leaders failed us.
They didn’t speak, and instead, Hon. Namuganza from Namutumba had to speak on their behalf. It’s clear they are either too weak or simply not up to the task.”
The failure of Butaleja’s leaders to convince Museveni to meet the general public has further deepened mistrust.
Residents expressed outrage at the lack of any tangible outcomes, calling the visit an inconvenience rather than a blessing. As one elder lamented, “His coming and not coming were the same. Nothing changed.”
The disappointment has galvanized residents into action. Many are now advocating for public displays of their grievances, urging others to post their demands outside their businesses and workplaces for authorities to see.
Placards bearing messages like “No tarmac road, no vote for NRM” have become a common sight.
“We are on our own,” Lyada declared. “The opportunity was misused, and our leaders proved they cannot stand for us. Now it’s time for the public to act.”
Museveni’s visit, which should have been a turning point for Butaleja, has instead underscored the failure of its leadership. Residents feel abandoned and betrayed, vowing to take matters into their own hands.
As one resident put it, “When leaders fail to fight for the people, the people must fight for themselves.”
The fallout from the visit has left Butaleja in a state of unrest, with 2026 looming as a moment of reckoning.
Whether the district’s leaders can rebuild trust remains uncertain, but the people’s message is clear, and they will no longer tolerate neglect and inaction.
