At sunrise in Pakwach, the calm of the Albert Nile was broken by songs of excitement. Thousands of people had gathered at Boma Grounds to welcome President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Among them was 68-year-old Juma Owor, a fisherman from Panyimur who still remembers life in exile before the NRM came to power. “We were born running,” he said softly, “but now, we live without fear.”
His reflection captured the mood of the day — a story of peace reclaimed, livelihoods revived, and a region once scarred by conflict now standing at the heart of Uganda’s economic transformation.
President Museveni, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential candidate in the 2026 elections, launched his West Nile campaign trail on Tuesday with a rally that celebrated stability and called for renewed commitment to wealth creation.
“When the NRM came to power, many of you were in exile in Congo and South Sudan. I hear that many of you were born there, but when we came, we reconciled, and you returned home. You are the best witnesses of NRM’s strength,” the President said to cheers from the crowd.
He reminded residents that Uganda’s peace stands in sharp contrast to the instability in neighboring countries.
“Uganda is now hosting many refugees from South Sudan and Congo. You know those refugees; you are the best witnesses,” he added.
Museveni’s speech traced the NRM’s origins to the 1960s when Uganda’s politics was divided by religion and tribe. He explained that the NRM emerged as a movement for unity, equality, and social justice.
“The old parties — DP, UPC, Kabaka Yekka — were sectarian. We formed FRONASA in 1971 to fight for what was right and oppose what was wrong. That is how the NRM was born,” he said.
Investing in Education and Health
President Museveni highlighted the region’s development under the NRM government, dividing achievements into economic and social infrastructure.
In Pakwach District, he noted, there are now 64 government primary schools and 8 government secondary schools, a dramatic improvement from the 1960s when no secondary school existed in the entire West Nile.
“When I was in Senior One at Ntare School in 1961, there was no secondary school in this region. Today, every district has schools — that is progress,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that 20 parishes in Pakwach still lack primary schools and pledged that every parish will eventually have one.
Concerning health, Museveni said only one of the district’s 10 sub-counties currently has a Health Centre IV but promised to consider local requests for a district hospital.
“We shall include your hospital in the budget framework,” he assured.
The President also urged citizens to make realistic demands based on available resources.
“You have to be serious with your demands. Government development must balance priorities,” he said.
Wealth Creation and the PDM
Much of Museveni’s message centered on transforming households through the Parish Development Model (PDM). He emphasized that while government provides infrastructure, real wealth must be built at the family level.
“If there is a road, a school, and a hospital in your area, do you sleep on the road or in the school? You must work at home to generate income, or poverty will welcome you back,” he cautioned.
Museveni said the government sends Shs 100 million annually to each parish under PDM and shared success stories from across Uganda.
“Gilbert Kermundo used PDM money to expand farming, and Apio Vicky from Lira invested Shs 1 million in maize and livestock. That’s the spirit we want,” he said.
He also announced plans to introduce new funds for religious and cultural leaders, unemployed graduates, and fishermen.
“With football, you have players and spectators, but in wealth creation, I don’t want spectators. Everybody must be a player,” he said, earning loud applause.
Oil, Fisheries, and Future Prosperity
Museveni spoke confidently about Uganda’s oil sector, saying production will start next year.
“The British were here for over 60 years and failed to find oil. We discovered it, and next year we shall start pumping,” he said.
He assured the public that oil revenues would be used responsibly.
“We shall not use oil money to import perfumes and whisky. It will go to roads, electricity, and health,” he added.
Turning to fisheries, Museveni showcased a video of his fishponds and encouraged aquaculture as a more sustainable source of income.
“From a 20-by-50-meter fishpond, my people earn Shs 100 million. The government can help you build such ponds,” he said.
He proposed a Fisheries Development Fund to modernize the sector and reduce conflicts between enforcement units and fishing communities.
The Jonam Land Question
A key issue raised was the long-standing Jonam–Acholi land conflict east of the Nile. Museveni announced plans to form a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the historical roots and legal aspects of the dispute.
“I will appoint a judicial-type commission with authority to tell us the history of that area and handle these issues,” he promised.
Pakwach District LC5 Chairperson Robert Omito, who welcomed the President, thanked him for creating the district in 2017 and supporting it through PDM. He said Shs 14 billion had been disbursed to 48 SACCOs.
“Though you haven’t been here since 2015, you’ve sent us many things — funds and development projects,” he said.
Omito also requested reforms in the Fisheries Protection Unit, saying its operations had disrupted local livelihoods.
A Call for Unity
The NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong urged residents to consolidate their support for Museveni, recalling that Pakwach gave him 61 percent of votes in 2021.
“Let us unite behind the NRM flag bearers so that we strengthen the party,” he said.
The rally ended with the President handing over party flags to NRM candidates contesting in the 2026 elections. As he waved to the jubilant crowd, chants of “Unity, Peace, Prosperity!” echoed across the grounds — a reminder of how far West Nile has come, and how much more it hopes to achieve.
