In the soft drizzle that settled over Lions Park on Friday afternoon, an elderly woman wrapped in a bright gomesi watched the crowd swell around her. “These children are lucky,” she murmured to her neighbour. “In our days, a woman’s place was only the kitchen.” Her voice echoed the sentiment that dominated the rally, a deep acknowledgment of the transformation Tororo has seen under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), particularly for women and young people.
NRM leaders and supporters in Tororo district used the campaign stop to celebrate President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s decades-long drive for peace, stability and inclusive growth. They credited this foundation for the district’s expanding opportunities, especially for groups once marginalised.
MP-elect for elderly persons in Eastern Uganda, Ofwono Opondo, who sailed through unopposed on the NRM ticket, thanked party leaders for their trust and reaffirmed his backing of the President. He described Museveni as “the man of the season,” saying Uganda’s progress in peace, security, stability and economic transformation is evident across all regions.
Opondo pointed to the remarkable rise of women in public and economic life. He said women have moved “from the gardens and the kitchen to decision-making tables” in government, councils and even the judiciary. He added that many women today own land, run successful enterprises and control capital, gains he attributed to NRM’s deliberate empowerment policies.
He also praised the party’s focus on youth advancement, noting that opportunities now extend far beyond government jobs. “A young person can start a corner kiosk and thrive if they are consistent, disciplined and patient,” he said, urging young people to embrace enterprise.
At the rally, President Museveni reassured Tororo residents that government had completed its work on long-standing district boundary matters. He said the elevation of Tororo Municipality to city status and the creation of Mukuju, Mulanda and Kisoko districts were steps taken to ensure fairness for all communities. He promised to “check with the Attorney General” to confirm remaining legal procedures.
The President also detailed infrastructure priorities under the 2026–2031 NRM manifesto, focusing on roads, power, water and health facilities. He announced government funding for the Tororo–Nagongela–Kisoko–Busulwe–Busaba road and highlighted ongoing works on the Busia–Tororo road, saying both routes will boost production, trade and market access.
Regarding health, Museveni revealed upgrades of Malaba, Lyolwa and Paaya Health Centre IIIs to Health Centre IV status, along with improvements to 19 Health Centre IIs. He said these expansions will close access gaps in sub-counties lacking government health units.
Concerning education, he sharply criticised the persistence of school fees in government schools. “School fees are a danger. The future of these children is being destroyed,” he warned, calling for internal NRM discussions to secure free education and protect universal access.
The rally closed with renewed calls for unity and continuity. For many in attendance, the message was clear: peace, strong infrastructure and empowerment, especially for women and youth remain at the heart of the NRM’s agenda for the coming five years.