Museveni Unveils Strategic Plan to Transform Karamoja

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced a strategic plan to address challenges in the Karamoja subregion, with a focus on water, peace, and commercial agriculture as the cornerstones of transformation.

Speaking on Wednesday 4th November 2024 in Moroto during a meeting with leaders from all 10 districts of Karamoja, President Museveni emphasized the critical need for large-scale water infrastructure to support livestock farming and agriculture.

“In what you call the Karamoja strategic plan, a lot of emphasis should be placed on dams—two per sub-county. Water is essential for production and peace in Karamoja,” Museveni said.

The President explained that inadequate water access drives insecurity and cattle rustling, but the construction of communal dams would stabilize the situation. He referenced his 1986 Karamoja Development Agency (KDA) plan, which aimed to prioritize water but lost focus over time.

The meeting, part of the President’s three-day wealth creation and Parish Development Model (PDM) performance assessment tour, brought together leaders from districts including Moroto, Napak, Kotido, and Karenga.

Focus on Wealth Creation

Museveni underscored the importance of commercial agriculture in addressing poverty, noting its ability to employ people and link to other sectors like tourism and manufacturing. He stressed that agriculture must remain central to Karamoja’s development agenda.

“Tourists coming to Kidepo National Park should eat local products, including milk and meat from Karamoja. Agriculture is the base that feeds into all other sectors,” the President said.

He also highlighted the government’s investment in roads, electricity, and plans to construct a major airport near Kidepo National Park to promote tourism and industrialization.

Addressing Key Challenges

The President pledged to integrate Karamoja’s development needs into the national plan, focusing on large-scale dam construction and continued peace-building efforts.

“We need peace and water first. I am grateful that peace has returned to Karamoja, and we will not allow chaos to return,” he said.

He also committed to sponsoring science students from Karamoja and emphasized commercial agriculture’s potential for wealth creation.

Museveni cited examples of successful farmers, such as a taxi conductor turned poultry farmer earning over UGX 1 billion annually.

Progress in PDM Implementation

National PDM Coordinator Ssozi Dennis Galabuzi reported that UGX 85 billion of the UGX 98.8 billion allocated to Karamoja has been disbursed. He praised Napak District for achieving 100% disbursement but criticized Kotido and Amudat for lagging at 61% and 71%, respectively.

Galabuzi highlighted challenges like extortion and natural disasters affecting program implementation. “We will remain vigilant because even H.E. the President has made it clear he does not tolerate bail for offenders,” Galabuzi said.

Infrastructure Expansion

At the event, Museveni launched Phase 5 of the National Backbone Infrastructure, which will extend internet access across Karamoja. He thanked the Chinese government for funding the project.

The President concluded by urging leaders to support the strategic plan, which integrates peace, agriculture, and infrastructure to uplift Karamoja. “Let us tackle these issues the guerrilla way—step by step—and focus on wealth creation for lasting change,” Museveni said.