As the orange hues of sunset fell over Napak, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni stood before thousands of supporters, his tone warm and reflective. It was the final stop of his campaign trail in Karamoja, a region he said had been “transformed from despair to stability” and he used the moment to pay tribute to one person he believes was pivotal in that change, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.
“When Mama Janet volunteered to come to Karamoja, she made a big contribution especially in the areas of water and food security,” the President said. “During her time, we completed several dams, including one with a capacity of 2.1 billion liters. Karamoja even began selling food to Mbale.”
Museveni recounted how the First Lady was the first minister to willingly serve in Karamoja at a time when others hesitated, describing her service as “a turning point for the sub-region.”
He announced that government would build on her work by introducing an individualized water supply program aimed at ensuring every household has access to water for domestic and agricultural use. “Going forward, we shall ensure individualized water supply for production,” he affirmed.
The President also reiterated his commitment to free education for all Ugandan children, a policy he said will be a “must” in the next Kisanja. “In the next Kisanja, free education for all children will be a must,” he said, urging parents to embrace the opportunity to educate their children without financial barriers.
Museveni further emphasized that lasting transformation depends on wealth creation at the household level. He cited the four-acre model as a proven pathway to prosperity, capable of earning disciplined farmers up to UGX 100 million annually. “We must use our small pieces of land productively,” he advised.
He encouraged the people of Karamoja to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and Youth Livelihood Programme as tools to build self-sustaining communities. “We have brought peace and development,” he said. “Now we must ensure that our people have wealth (Abaru) and jobs (Etich).”
The President reminded his audience that the region’s peace was hard-won. “Some once believed guns were the solution, but I assured our people that the government would defend them and we have fulfilled that promise,” he said to loud applause.
Standing beside her husband, Maama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Napak for their continued trust in the NRM and for giving President Museveni over 90% of their votes in the previous elections. “Let us protect the peace we have achieved and continue building on what we have started,” she urged.
District leaders echoed similar sentiments. NRM District Chairperson Malik Longole Gutti praised Museveni for his visionary leadership, saying Napak’s progress in education, health, water, roads, energy, and agriculture reflects “the steady hand of the NRM government.”
“The people of Napak stand as living testimony to the NRM’s impact,” Longole said. “From the time your government began implementing its development programmes, our district has witnessed transformation that was once only a dream.”
He highlighted government initiatives like Emyooga, PDM, the Women Entrepreneurship Fund, and the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE), describing them as “lifelines that have brought dignity and opportunity to our people.”
Museveni concluded the rally by reaffirming his vision for Karamoja and Uganda at large, anchored on peace, development, and shared prosperity. “Karamoja is for NRM,” he declared. “Let us build on what we have done to truly transform Uganda for the good of all.”
