President Museveni on Wednesday launched his first campaign rally in the Lango Sub-region, addressing residents of Amolatar District and outlining the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) accomplishments and future plans in key sectors such as wealth creation, health, education, and fisheries.
Reflecting on the NRM’s 40-year journey, Museveni described the party’s legacy as one rooted in transformation and improved livelihoods. He noted that in 2013, only 68% of Ugandans were engaged in the money economy, a challenge that led to the establishment of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and other wealth-generating programs.
He cited examples of individuals who have benefited from these initiatives, including Apio from Lira, who turned a one-million-shilling startup into a sustainable farming and sheep-rearing business with a steady market among South Sudanese buyers.
Calling for a shift in mindset around employment, the President said,
“In colonial times, people thought that being a clerk was the only job. That is wrong. A farmer who feeds the nation has a job. Agriculture is a job. Fishing is a job. When you create wealth, you also create jobs.”
Museveni lauded Uganda’s immunization programs, saying they had successfully eradicated diseases like polio. However, he expressed concern over drug theft in health centers.
“These health centers are not in Congo or Sudan; they are here with us. Stop stealing drugs. I will set up my own spy network to catch those stealing government drugs and even Parish Development Model (PDM) money,” he warned.
On education, Museveni acknowledged that school charges were driving children out of classrooms and undermining the government’s education agenda. He praised the impact of Presidential Zonal Skilling Hubs, which offer free vocational training in areas such as carpentry, welding, bakery, shoemaking, and construction.
“When I started the skilling hubs, children who had lost hope came back. In just six months, they are producing quality products. I want to appeal to the NRM fraternity: in the next government, let’s abolish school charges. We shall recruit 50,000 more teachers to remove shortages,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of day schooling and proposed a streamlined approach to education infrastructure.
“One primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county is enough. Boarding schools bring unnecessary costs that have nothing to do with education.”
On the subject of national unity and economic integration, Museveni reiterated the NRM’s position against tribalism.
“If the Acholi grow simsim, who will buy it? That is why the NRM hates tribalism. You need a united market for whatever you produce,” he said.
Addressing a historic grievance in Northern Uganda, the President confirmed that the government had accepted his proposal to compensate each homestead with five cows.
“I have already instructed the government to work on it. We shall do it slowly, but it will be done.”
On fisheries, Museveni pledged greater support for fishing communities through a specialized SACCO and encouraged the adoption of fish farming in wetlands as an alternative to rice cultivation.
“I saw people planting rice in swamps — that is a misuse of wetlands. Fishponds will give you much more. In Limoto, farmers are earning over shs70 million . The government will raise money for fishponds in Lango, Teso, Busoga, and Bukedi,” he said, adding that only government can meet the high capital demands of large-scale fish farming.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among thanked the President for restoring peace in Northern Uganda, while Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua emphasized the rally’s theme of “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.” He called on the people of Lango to continue supporting President Museveni in consolidating peace and development.
Obua also announced plans to construct a technical school in Amolatar District in memory of the late Latigo Olara, aligning with the government’s goal of establishing one technical school per district.
Amolatar District Chairperson Geoffrey Ocen appealed to the President to upgrade local health facilities and expedite the cattle compensation process. He also pledged unwavering support from the district.
“We shall give you 100% votes,” he said.
