President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has wrapped up his campaign tour of the Acholi sub-region with a call to Ugandans to convert the peace and development gains achieved under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) into tangible household wealth.
Speaking to thousands of supporters at Paul Lokech Memorial Grounds in Agago District on Friday, the NRM Presidential flagbearer outlined his government’s legacy over the past four decades—anchored on peace, development and wealth creation while unveiling his vision for Uganda’s next socio-economic leap.
“Greetings to the people of Agago. I am here to ask for your support, to share the achievements of the NRM, and to present the plans we have for this nation,” the President said, as he concluded his last rally in Acholi before heading to Karamoja sub-region.
The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”
Peace as the Foundation of Transformation
Museveni reflected on the Acholi sub-region’s turbulent past, once ravaged by insurgency and cattle rustling, and praised residents for their role in restoring stability through collaboration with security forces.
“When you want to eat food, you must ensure there’s sauce and water; otherwise, it can choke you. The same applies to work, even when you have the capacity, you must use it well,” he said, drawing an analogy between discipline and effective use of national power.
He noted that advancements such as UAV (drone) surveillance had revolutionized Uganda’s security strategy against rustlers, ensuring faster and safer responses.
“Quick communication from kraals to command centers now allows UAVs to track rustlers and recover stolen animals,” he said, crediting both technology and community vigilance for maintaining stability in northern Uganda.
Building for the Future
Highlighting infrastructure gains, Museveni said the extension of electricity from Lira through Kitgum to West Nile was a critical step in unlocking the region’s economic potential.
“At one stage, our Swedish partners withdrew from funding the Patongo–Kolongo–Adilang power lines. We said, no problem, we shall do it ourselves. That is why prioritization is key,” he told the cheering crowd.
The President also underscored his commitment to improving education, noting that only 42 of Agago’s 117 parishes currently have government primary schools.
“I have instructed the Minister of Education to ensure every parish has at least one government school,” he said. “Education must be accessible to all.”
Agago currently has nine government secondary schools and 12 private institutions under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET) programs. Additional seed secondary schools are also under construction.
Turning Policy into Prosperity
Museveni emphasized that while peace and infrastructure benefit everyone, wealth creation is personal, a task that requires individual and household effort.
“Do not be diverted by roads, electricity, and other public infrastructure. Those are collective assets. Poverty is personal and wealth is personal,” he said, urging citizens to take full advantage of government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and NAADS.
“These programs are not for the rich, they are for ordinary Ugandans ready to work and improve their livelihoods,” he added.
NRM’s Impact in Agago
Local leaders used the occasion to share tangible outcomes of the government’s initiatives in the district.
- 36,075 households (53.2%) have benefited from PDM, with UGX 36 billion disbursed so far.
- The Emyooga program has supported 17,429 members across 54 SACCOs, distributing UGX 2.05 billion.
- 1,389 cattle compensation claimants have received UGX 5.83 billion.
- Water access now reaches 817 villages (71%), with ongoing solar-powered systems in Kotomor and Agengo.
- Irrigation projects such as Orama Tebung (12 acres) and Odom (14 acres) are operational, with future plans for the Geregere Earth Dam to boost climate-resilient farming.
Community Gratitude and Vision Ahead
Agago District NRM Chairperson Walter Oketta Ogwang thanked the President for his leadership and attention to the region’s needs.
“Thank you, Mzee, for your commitment to transforming our district. We see your footprint in our schools, our water systems, and our households,” he said.
As the Acholi campaign trail drew to a close, Museveni urged residents to consolidate the region’s progress by voting the NRM to continue steering Uganda toward middle-income prosperity.
“Peace was the foundation, development is the structure and wealth creation is the roof. Together, they complete the house of transformation,” he concluded.