When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took the stage in Amuria District, the memories of Teso’s darkest years were still vivid in his mind. The calm that now defines the region, he reminded the crowd, was once a distant dream.
“I remember Apopong, where the UPDF destroyed Kony’s army, that was the turning point of the war against Kony,” Museveni said. “And in Anyara, Kalaki, we killed one of the notorious rebels called Tabuley. I want to thank the Arrow Boys who joined me in bringing peace here.”
The Arrow Boys, a courageous militia of farmers and ex-soldiers armed with simple bows and arrows, once stood between Teso and total ruin. Their bravery in confronting the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) helped drive out the rebels and rescue thousands of abducted children. Today, their story remains a symbol of grassroots courage and community resilience.
From War to Renewal
Speaking before thousands of jubilant supporters, President Museveni hailed the people of Teso as key partners in Uganda’s long journey toward peace and stability. He said their sacrifices laid the foundation for the region’s transformation.
“Without peace, no development can take place. That’s why we always emphasize peace first,” he said. “It’s the reason you can now talk of roads, schools, hospitals, and electricity.”
Museveni outlined the major achievements of his government in improving infrastructure across Teso. Roads once known only to local travelers are now economic lifelines from the tarmacked Soroti to Katine to Lira highway to the Soroti to Katakwi to Usuku to Karamoja route.
He announced that funds have already been allocated to complete the Katine–Ochero road and pledged to close the remaining “gaps” in the network, including the Soroti to Amuria to Achanipi to Otuke and Kumi to Ngora tp Serere to Bugondo roads.
“When I tell people in Kampala about those roads, they don’t know them. But I know them because I used them when I was fighting Kony,” Museveni said, drawing applause.
Expanding Access to Water, Power, and Education
The President said Amuria now has 401 boreholes out of 528 villages, with Amuria Town Council benefiting from a piped water system that serves over 7,200 residents. He noted that plans are underway to extend safe water coverage to every village.
Electricity, too, has reached most corners of the district, with ongoing work to connect the remaining trading centers.
On education, Museveni highlighted that Amuria now has 68 government primary schools and eight government secondary schools under the Universal Primary and Secondary Education programs. “Our goal is for every parish to have a primary school and every sub-county to have a secondary school,” he said.
Strengthening Health Services
The President also unveiled plans to boost health services across the district. Amuria currently has one hospital and 10 Health Centre IIIs serving 18 sub-counties.
“Plans are underway to upgrade Olwa, Abia, and Amolo HCIIs to HCIIIs and to construct new facilities in Ogongora, Asamuk, Wera, and Orungo,” he said.
He added that Wera HCIII is being upgraded to HCIV, while Orungo HCIII will soon have a fully equipped theatre. “We shall continue upgrading facilities, building staff houses, and using ICT to track medicines and reduce absenteeism among health workers,” Museveni said.
From Survival to Wealth Creation
Turning to the economy, President Museveni urged households still outside the money economy to embrace productive activities. “Twelve years ago, only 32% of Ugandans were engaged in wealth creation. I’m glad that through our efforts, that figure has now dropped to 33%. I now appeal to the remaining 33% to join the journey of modern wealth creation,” he said.
He cited successful farmers such as Joseph Ijala of Serere as proof that commercial agriculture can transform rural livelihoods. The President emphasized the four sectors of wealth creation, agriculture, industry, services, and ICT as the backbone of Uganda’s economic growth.
“When we talk of roads, schools, hospitals, and security, it is the wealth creators who make these possible through the taxes they generate,” he said.
A Call for Unity and Vision
President Museveni reaffirmed his government’s commitment to safeguarding the gains made over four decades of NRM leadership while steering Uganda toward a high middle-income status. “Let us protect the gains we have made and aim for a qualitative leap into a high middle-income country,” he urged.
He also handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates, officially launching their campaigns.
Maama Janet Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, praised the people of Teso for their loyalty to the NRM and their enduring spirit of unity. “We are proud of you. You look beautiful in yellow,” she said. “On voting day, ensure every family member and neighbor turns up to vote for the NRM so that we can continue building a stronger and united nation.”
The NRM Chairperson for Amuria District, Simon Peter Okello, thanked President Museveni for restoring peace and spearheading numerous development projects in the area. “We thank you for improving road infrastructure, creating administrative units, and establishing a value addition park in Amuria,” he said.
As the rally concluded, the sense of gratitude in Amuria was unmistakable. Once a battlefield, the district now stands as a testament to resilience and renewal, a region that fought with arrows but now grows with hope.