As the sun dipped over the banks of River Nile on Friday evening, residents of Obongi gathered in their thousands to hear President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni speak, and he came bearing a long-awaited promise.
The President and National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flagbearer announced that government had already secured funds from the World Bank to connect Obongi District to the national electricity grid. The project, he said, is now at the procurement stage.
“Money has already been sourced from the World Bank,” Museveni told the cheering crowd. “The process to extend the national grid to Obongi is ongoing.”
Power and Progress
For years, Obongi has stood out as one of the few districts without access to national electricity. President Museveni’s announcement was therefore met with excitement and applause.
The President assured residents that the NRM government remained committed to delivering essential infrastructure, noting that roads across the region were also being improved, despite some delays. He, however, challenged the local managers in charge of road maintenance to ensure that murram roads remain in good condition.
Peace, Unity, and Wealth Creation
Turning to the broader message of his campaign, Museveni said the NRM’s greatest achievement has been the restoration of peace and unity across Uganda. He urged the people of Obongi to use the prevailing peace to create household wealth.
“I am here to remind you about the programs of the NRA,” he said. “Despite the challenges we have faced, including wars around us, we have managed to maintain peace in Uganda.”
He emphasized that stability was achieved through inclusive politics that unite Ugandans beyond tribe or religion.
“In NRM, we do not care about your tribe, your religion, or your background. That is how we have been able to unite our people politically,” he said.
“Today, all of us from the north to the south, from the east to the west, are members of the NRM, working together for the progress of our nation.”
Power for Development
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who addressed journalists after the rally, reaffirmed the President’s announcement, noting that Obongi and Buvuma remain the only two districts not yet connected to the national grid.
“I want to assure Ugandans that West Nile is behind NRM,” she said. “The big crowds that you have seen are an indicator that NRM is going to win.”
She revealed that the World Bank had already provided funding for the power project and other related infrastructure works across the country.
“For example, this area is not yet connected to power,” Nabbanja said. “The procurement process is ongoing. We already have money, which we secured from the World Bank, and we are going to connect not only Obongi but also other areas in West Nile and other parts of Uganda.”
NRM’s Growing Confidence
The Prime Minister expressed optimism about the NRM’s performance in the forthcoming elections. “Don’t get surprised that we may even get over 80% from West Nile,” she said. “The people of Obongi and the entire sub-region have shown strong support for the President and the NRM.”
For Obongi residents, Museveni’s pledge signals more than just power lines, it marks the dawn of long-awaited inclusion in Uganda’s development grid.