NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, criticised the government for what he described as decades of neglect and underdevelopment in the Karamoja sub-region, despite its mineral wealth.
Speaking during campaign engagements in Kaabong and Karenga districts, Kyagulanyi faulted authorities for failing to invest in infrastructure, particularly roads, noting that key mineral-producing areas remain isolated and underserved.
“It is concerning that this gold-rich region has not been rewarded in terms of infrastructural development. Throughout our drive, we did not see any tarmacked roads that connect these districts to the rest of the country,” he said.
Kyagulanyi accused the government of abandoning residents in a region it enjoys strong political support from.
“Sadly, this is a region that the criminal regime claims to hold significant support within and yet the people have been abandoned and neglected,” he added.
He also revisited the iron sheets scandal involving relief items meant for vulnerable youth in Karamoja, saying accountability for the matter never materialised.
“We all saw what the regime government officials did with the Karamoja iron sheets that were meant for the Karachunas. They were shamelessly shared by the regime officials and none was ever convicted by the anti-corruption court.”
Kyagulanyi urged residents to exercise what he termed a “protest vote” in the 2026 elections, saying it is the only peaceful way to demand change.
“We have reminded the people of this great Karamoja sub-region that they must assert themselves in the forthcoming protest vote and reject this exploitative regime. The protest vote is the sole opportunity we have to put things right.”
He also encouraged young people in the region to take leadership positions and challenge narratives portraying Karamoja as wealthy in minerals but impoverished in living standards.
“When they are talking about [Karamoja], they talk about two things rich minerals and poor people. I want us to change that, to say rich minerals and rich people,” Kyagulanyi said, rallying youth to participate actively in politics and community mobilisation.
“Your voice is going to matter. This is not a Bobi Wine mission. It’s a mission of all of us.”
Bobi also made a brief stop in Kaabong district to honor one of their fallen supporter Ambroze Lochoto who was brutally shot dead in March last year. Here he paid respect to his graveyard and handed over a Uganda flag to his children saying their father died a hero.
The NUP leader concluded his scheduled campaign activities in Kaabong and Karenga and today he’s expected to be in Kitgum and Lamwo.
