ARTICLE BY HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI REGARDING BAD FISHING

*THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA* *ARTICLE* *BY* *HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI* *PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA* *REGARDING* *BAD FISHING* *20TH OCTOBER, 2025* *BAD FISHING IS AGAINST SCIENCE AND AGAINST TRADITION* Fellow Ugandans, there is controversy going on about the Fisheries Protection Unit of the UPDF and those who are accused of bad fishing practices. This is the story of fishing as I know it. Fishing (okujuba) is part of the ancient myooga (livelihood specializations) of this area. In the Ankore – Mpororo – Kyigyezi – Tooro – Bunyoro area, I grew up seeing fish from a distance because many of the Banyankore did not eat fish in the past. I, however, would see People using entukuru (basket snares) and emikoyo (some sort of fungus got from ant-hills), to catch eshoonzi (mud-fish). In 1958, I was part of a School trip of Kyamate Boys’ School, when we visited the Katunguru fishing processing centre and another centre known as TUFMUC on Lake George. At Mbarara High School and Ntare, we would see Peugeot 204 pick-ups, travelling at dangerous speeds, rushing to Kampala, taking the fish from the Katunguru area and even Lake Nyakyivaale (they were calling it Maziinga, then). These vehicles were called: “Zivuunda” (“the fish is in danger of rotting!”). The implication was that they must drive recklessly fast and reach Kampala before the fish rots. Many of these happenings in Uganda got off my screen during the 16 years we were in the resistance (1971-1986). In 1986 and even by 1980 after Amin, there was no more TUFMAC and no more Zivuunda. About the Entukuru (the basket snares for the mud fish), I did not get time to check. I inquired whether there was any modern fish processing facility in Uganda and there was none. Fortunately, after being in State House for a few days, an Italian Minister, Professor Francisco Forte, came to see me. In our conversation, he told me that there was USD 20 million that the Italian Government had put aside for Uganda. However, given the instability of the Country prior to NRM’s coming into Government, the money had not been touched. I immediately requested him to build a Fish Processing Factory for Uganda. The Italian Government used USD 14 million to build the Masese Fish Processing Factory. I can, therefore, be accused of being the instigator of the fish rush onto the lakes. The moment People knew there was money in fish, factories flocked in and so did the bad fishermen. By 2010, there were 22 factories bringing into the Country USD 158.5 million per year and employing 5.3 million Ugandans. However, at the same time, illegal fishing also started. The illegal fishing uses nets with small holes that catch young fish. Responsible fishing should ensure that only a fish of 11 inches (tilapia) should be caught. This would be weighing more than 1kg and would already have laid eggs at least more than once. Each time a fish such as tilapia lays eggs, it lays 100 to 1500 eggs. It is such a productive industry. However, when you use a net with holes below 5 inches, you catch fish that is still below 1kg and it has not laid eggs. It is a real genocide against fish. These bad fishermen, do not only eat enyena of fish (the female calves of fish), they also destroy the breeding bays of fish known as ebyoondo in Luganda. This is where tilapia and other types of fish lay their eggs. The Nile Perch lays its eggs deep in the lake in the rocks known as ebyeema. These bad fishermen, do not follow either Science or tradition. In tradition, they had some taboos that protected the lake and the fishing industry. One taboo, for instance, was “the Ancestors would tell other fishermen that places spared for fish breeding had marine spirits (Emisambwa). But this was not true, they were just sparing such places for fish breeding.” These bad fishermen, ignored all these taboos. As a consequence of all these mistakes, the fish stocks in lakes dropped and the factories that had flooded in, started closing. By the time, I brought in the Fish Protection Unit, only 8 factories out of the 22 were still open and they were also about to close. 12 factories are now open. My questions to the People of the fishing areas were: “Who are these that do not observe science and do not observe tradition?” “Why are the traditional fishing Communities not protecting the fishing industry like the Banyankore protected the Ankore long-horn cattle, the other Ugandans have protected the millet, the bananas, etc?” The answer I got, was that these invaders came with a lot of force and could not listen to the indigenous elders and their guidance. What, therefore, is needed, is for the indigenous fishing groups, area by area, to take the lead so that they supplement the science with their traditional knowledge so that the Fisheries Industry is preserved. Our plan is to develop a massive fish farming Industry, using Government equipment to excavate fish ponds on the periphery of all the swamps in Busoga, Bukedi, Teso, Lango, the Luwero area and the Nile Valley. Therefore, the Communities will be helped to use the wetlands more profitably and also restore the wetlands so that they keep the water for irrigation for the terrestrial Parts of the Country. It is, therefore, not necessary to go on crowding into the lakes using hazardous ways of fishing. Even if you did not care about the Fishing Industry in the lakes and rivers and, out of cheap popularity you said that let the lake invaders do whatever they want, we would face bigger problems. Yes, the remaining factories would close and the invaders would deplete all the fish from the lakes and the rivers. However, that would not be all. The fish in the lake are part of the balance of nature. In the lakes, the fish are eaten but they also eat. The Nile Perch eats the other fish. However, they also eat planktons — these are microscopic plants and animals. Some of these take oxygen from the lakes. When they are eaten by fish, they remain in check. If, however, they are not eaten when the fish has disappeared, they will multiply so much, take all the oxygen from the water, leading to the death of all living animals in the lakes: the toads, the frogs, the snakes etc. These help to keep the balance of nature by eating the larvae of mosquitoes, the other insects like the lake flies, etc. Therefore, the fish are not only for the economy and food for some of the People, but also important for the ecological balance and even for Public Health by controlling mosquitoes. Working with the indigenous fishing Communities as the lead-agents area by area, we should study how to implement the following: (1) Create a fishing fund, separate from PDM to enable the legitimate and legal local fishermen to acquire the right boats and the right fishing nets that will only catch the mature fish but not the mudeke (the enyena — female calves of fish). (2) Only allow a limited, appropriate number and stop the mujuzo (flooding into the lakes and the rivers). Even Namboole has a limit as to how many spectators should be allowed in the stadium. Here you need legitimate criteria. That is why I emphasize the indigenous communities, area by area. This does not exclude the others. However, you must have a clear criteria as to why A and not B. (3) All the fish breeding areas, must be identified, gazetted and protected. Nobody should fish there or build there — landing sites, resorts, etc. How about cultivating on the nearby shores? The fisheries experts will guide us. The breeding centres near the shore are called ebyoondo which means mud in Runyankore. These are for the tilapia (engege). The Nile Perch breeds in the rocks, deep in the lake. They are called ebyeema, which means a bull mounting a cow in Runyankore. These must also be appropriately protected. (4) However, the real answer to fish production is fish-farming at the edges of the swamps in Busoga, the Luwero area, Bukedi, Teso, Lango, Acholi and the Nile Valley. This is literally a gold mine. The global demand for fish and fish products is USD 391billion while that of coffee is USD 460 billion. From my fish pond in Lango, under Dr. Ocen, as part of my 4 acres model, I get Ug. Sh. 100 million per harvest of the fish, after feeding them for 8-9 months. All the experiments I have done in Kawumu, Kabaale, Limoto, etc, show that fish-farming is a gold mine. It would end the misuse of the wetlands by growing rice from where you only get Sh. 1.3 million per acre per year. In an acre, you can have 2 fish ponds of 20 metres by 50 metres. The fishermen are 7,000 years behind the cattle keepers, who started domesticating cows that far back. Fish farming would shift economic use from the centre of the swamp, as is with rice now, to the periphery of swamp (Mwiga); thereby restoring the swamp in the centre, restoring the water in the centre that can be used for irrigation and the swamp grasses such as the bigugu (Cyperum Latifolia) that is always used for mulching gardens (kwarira). Therefore, bad fishing is both dangerous and unnecessary. Dr. Muranga at Bushenyi, through the use of irrigation and fertilizers, gets 53 tonnes of bananas per hectare per year while the nearby Banyankore get only 5.3 tonnes per hectare, per year. (5) There are other economic diversification efforts that the State House Staff, led by Dr. Hillary Musoke and team, have already started in the areas of Najja, Ngogwe, Nyenga, Bukunja and Kiyindi in Buikwe District. They help the former fishermen to engage in alternative enterprises which include: Fish fingerlings, feeds for both cage and pond fish farming, poultry farming, cattle keeping, piggery, etc. These efforts will be expanded and intensified. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

2025-10-28

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI TO CATHOLICS: WORK HARD TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH, STATE AND YOUR FAMILIES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today challenged congregants at St. Mary’s Cathedral Lubaga to take seriously the examples from the parable of talents and St Paul’s Thessalonians message on hard work, provision and community support. “I call upon you all to concentrate more on the parable of talents and the message of St Paul; whoever does not work, will not eat. My challenge to you, therefore, is to work so you get out of poverty, that you may support the church, the state and your families; this is the message I and the NRM concur with. It is the best Christian Doctrine besides one that says love your neighbour as you love yourself.” President Museveni made the remarks during the Cathedral’s Centenary Celebrations at Lubaga hill, Kampala. The event attracted over 5,000 worshipers, preceded by a Holy Mass at 10:00 am, led by Kampala’s Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere. Also present were government dignitaries led by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, as well as top brass from the Mengo kingdom led by the Premier, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga. Also present were the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja and all the Bishops of the Kampala Archdiocese. The President, also while using the parable of the good Samaritan, called for unity among Ugandans, urging that the NRM’s message is premised on the pillar of interest rather than identity. According to the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a man was robbed, beaten and left for dead; he was not helped by a priest and Levite but by another passerby, a samaritan who was a member of a disliked group by the jews. “We shall know them by their fruits,” President Museveni quoted, adding that, “In the NRM, we do not care about who but what the person has done. Just like the bible says, let your light shine before men, that they may see your works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. We therefore need to be real Christians guided by this parable.” Speaking at the same event, Archbishop Ssemogerere thanked the President for continuously standing in solidarity with the church, urging that it is a testimony that faith remains a “pillar in building our nation”. “We thank you for the collaborations in education and health. Many of our schools and hospitals continue to save lives and serve our people because of the environment your government provides. We also thank you for honouring this occasion and recognising the role of the church,” the Archbishop said. He prayed for the nation for peace to prevail in the election season, and called upon the youth to use their energy to build rather than break the country. The Archbishop also cautioned leaders to inspire unity and love for God and the country. He appealed to the government to make swift interventions in the issues of land grabbing, which he says have plagued the country. “We draw your attention to concerns in our country regarding land grabbing. We appeal to your continued leadership and interventions so that this issue can be addressed firmly and justly,” he said. The Cathedral was constructed in 1925 through a community effort, 48 years following the arrival of the Catholic Missionaries. Bishop Henri Streicher and Brother Cyprian oversaw the work, including training local craftsmen at a skilling centre in Kasubi. The land on which the Cathedral was built was a generous offer from Kabaka Mwanga II to French Catholic Missionaries, also known as White Fathers. It was originally hosting a palace belonging to Kabaka Mutesa I but was abandoned after fires razed the place. Towering on 24 pillars, the religious marvel put together by over 2.5 million locally made bricks also has a historic relevance, having hosted the African Bishops Synod in 1969.

2025-10-26

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMENDS DISARMAMENT AND STABILITY IN KARAMOJA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, has hailed the gains of peace in Karamoja, calling it the foundation for the region’s development. Speaking to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally today at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School in Karenga District, President Museveni reflected on the challenges, achievements and future plans for the area. “I came here with my delegation to ask for your support and to speak to you about what we have done in the last 40 years and our next plans,” President Museveni said. From Cattle Rustling to Peace: Peace, the President emphasized, has been the cornerstone of progress in Karamoja. “When we first came here, the main challenge was insecurity caused by cattle rustling. What began as a cultural practice for paying bride price had turned into commercial crime. Stolen cows were being sold cheaply in distant markets; some were even taken to Kalerwe in Kampala. Many innocent people were being killed,” he said. As Uganda’s leader, President Museveni said he could not allow citizens to continue dying. “Some people said, ‘You cannot disarm the Karamojong unless you disarm the Turkana, Somalia, or Ethiopia.’ I told them, my responsibility is Uganda. I will disarm my people and protect their lives.” He also highlighted the social impact of the violence. “There was a woman in Nakapiripirit who had been married nine times, and all her husbands had been killed by the guns. What sort of country is that?” Today, Karamoja is enjoying peace,” he said. “Children are now going to school, and health services like immunization have improved because there is no more death by gun. The population is growing because people are surviving.” With peace restored, development began to follow: “Electricity has arrived here in Karenga. Years ago, power stopped in Soroti and Lira, and the economy had collapsed. Through prioritization, we extended electricity to Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, and now Karenga,” he said. Communication infrastructure also improved through strategic partnerships with the private sector. “All they needed was peace and good policy. Now, everyone has a phone in their pocket,” he noted. President Museveni further outlined ongoing infrastructure projects, highlighting road improvements as a key priority. “We have already brought tarmac near you. From Kitgum, the road has reached close, and from Moroto, tarmac is already in Kotido and Kaabong. The next plan is to connect Kitgum– Namukora– Karenga–Kidepo and improve the Moroto–Kotido–Kaabong road.” Despite development, President Museveni reminded residents that personal wealth must be actively pursued. “Don’t be diverted by roads, electricity, and other developments. Poverty is personal, and so is wealth. The NRM has, since the 1960s, taught people how to create wealth. For decades, we have been campaigning for wealth creation for everyone.” He urged locals to use government programs such as Entandikwa, NAADS, OWC, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) to lift themselves out of poverty. “These opportunities are not for the rich, they are for the ordinary people.” The President also handed over the NRM flags to NRM aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates in Karenga District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections. Hon. Baatom Ben Koryang, MP for Dodoth West, praised the peace and development in Karenga. “Through your wise leadership, we are enjoying peace. Karenga has received 11.2 billion shillings under the Parish Development Model, and Lokole Seed School will soon open thanks to Maama Janet, the Minister of Education and Sports for her support,” he said. “We are also addressing human-wildlife conflicts, with 60 km of fencing already commissioned.” NRM impact in Karenga: Karenga District, one of Uganda’s newest districts, has made significant strides in development since its creation in 2019, benefiting from government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. According to official figures, Karenga has 10 Sub-Counties and Town Councils, 37 parishes, and 228 villages, with a population of 100,375 as per the 2024 Census. Since its establishment, the district has received 11.4 billion shillings under the PDM, directly benefiting 8,856 households, representing 45.8% of the district’s total households. Under the Emyooga program, Karenga boasts 33 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) with 5,659 registered members, and a total of 1.01 billion shillings has been disbursed to support local entrepreneurship. The district has 21 government primary schools, one government secondary school, and a Seed Secondary School currently under construction. Health infrastructure includes one HCIV and four HCIIIs, with ongoing upgrades and new constructions to expand services. Access to safe water has reached 129 of the 228 villages (60%), leaving 99 villages still in need of reliable water sources. The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”. The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-10-25

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HAILS NRM FOR CREATING PEACE IN KARAMOJA

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for its pivotal role in restoring peace and stability in the Karamoja sub-region. The President made the remarks today while addressing a campaign rally in Kaabong District, where he was warmly received by thousands of supporters. “I want to thank God for the work of the NRM in Uganda. When I see this huge crowd, I feel very happy. Even in Karenga and Abim where I was yesterday, I saw large turnouts. In 1980, when I was campaigning, the population of Karamoja was 190,000, but now Kaabong alone has 260,000 people. This is because children no longer die from diseases like polio and measles, thanks to the NRM’s strong immunization program,” President Museveni said. The President noted that peace in Karamoja was one of the NRM’s greatest achievements, saying it was not easy to bring peace to the region. “That peace was not easy to bring because the Karamojong were deceived that to have peace you must have guns from the Pokot, Toposa, and Turkana. Some even said that to disarm Karamoja, you must first disarm the Turkana and others from Kenya. I told them my work is not to disarm Africa but to disarm the Karamojong,” he said. On development, President Museveni highlighted key infrastructure projects, noting that electricity had reached Kaabong from Moroto and that tarmacked roads were being extended from Soroti through Moroto to Lokitanyala on the Kenyan border, linking with Namalu and Kween in the Sebei region. He added that the government had also constructed major water sources including the Longoromit Dam with a capacity of 1.4 billion litres and the Usake Valley Dam with 2.8 billion litres. “We are also building an international airport at Kidepo National Park. Some people wrongly think national parks are only for animals. If you don’t want parks, then why do you have stadiums for football? Parks attract tourists who come and spend money here. When they visit, they will drink milk from Karamoja, so I challenge you to produce more milk for sale,” he said. On education, the President said Kaabong District currently has 32 primary schools and two secondary schools, with plans to have one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county. He renewed his call for free education in all government schools. “This is what I have wanted since 1995. It had started, but I don’t know how headteachers began charging fees. That’s why I started skilling hubs. I have contributed Shs 50 million to SACCOs for graduates of the skilling hubs, and I want these SACCOs to be in every district. In the next government, I plan to recruit 50,000 teachers to ensure free education,” the President said. On health, he announced that Kaabong has one hospital and seven Health Centre IIIs, with plans to upgrade several Health Centre IIs, including Usake, Loleria, Lodiko, Lobongia, Lotim, Morulem, Timu, Lokerui, and Kamacharikol, to Health Centre IIIs. The President also emphasized the distinction between development and wealth. “Now that tarmac roads have reached Moroto and Nakapiripirit, ask them if they sleep on the tarmac. No, they sleep in their homes. Development is ours as a government, but wealth is yours as a family. Poverty too is yours. We want our people to get out of poverty,” he said. He encouraged people to use government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) effectively, saying more funds would be added. “We shall add Shs 15 million for leaders, create funds for graduates who have been jobless for two years, for religious leaders, cultural leaders, and ghetto youth. Use this money well and return it after two years,” President Museveni said. The NRM Vice Chairperson for Karamoja, Hon. Dr. John Baptist Lokii, thanked the President for transforming the sub-region. “Unlike past leaders, you have gone the extra mile to develop Karamoja. We thank you for disarming the warriors and creating peace. Karamoja now has universities, hospitals, and factories. We no longer have to go to Kampala for services. On behalf of Karamoja, we pledge to support you 99.9%,” Dr. Lokii said. The NRM Chairperson for Kaabong District, Hon. Lokwang Hillary, also thanked the President for ensuring peace in Karamoja and for supporting local SACCOs that have helped communities abandon cattle rustling. He also appreciated the ongoing fencing of Kidepo National Park, saying it would help prevent wildlife from invading communities. He further requested the President to upgrade Kaabong Hospital to a referral hospital to serve neighboring districts.

2025-10-25

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WRAPS UP ACHOLI CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH EMPHASIS ON PEACE, DEVELOPMENT AND WEALTH CREATION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer, today concluded his campaign rallies in the Acholi sub-region, with the final stop in Agago District. The President, who now begins his campaign trail in the Karamoja sub-region starting with Abim District, addressed residents on the NRM’s achievements and future plans, emphasizing peace, development, and wealth creation. The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”. Addressing thousands of supporters at Paul Lokech Memorial Grounds in Agago, President Museveni said, “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.” He briefly introduced the NRM manifesto, promising detailed copies would be delivered to parish levels, but provided a summary highlighting the seven major contributions the NRM has made to Uganda over the last 40 years. “However, my message to you today focuses on three key pillars: Peace, Development, and Wealth Creation,” he added. Peace Restored: President Museveni reflected on the area’s troubled past, marked by rebel activity and cattle rustling. “The last time I was nearby, in Baralegi, we discussed the issue of cattle rustling. What I discovered then was that the army had the capacity to end the problem, but it wasn’t being fully used,” he said. He drew an analogy between food and work, saying, “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.” The President explained that soldiers had previously been overworked, walking long distances on foot, while rustlers operated from the bush. “Yet, the rustlers were easier targets when we used air surveillance (UAVs). Today, because we built a strong army and a strong political movement (NRM), peace has returned to this area,” he noted. He credited local communities for their role in peace, saying: “All of you have contributed by providing information about troublemakers. Through NRM’s politics of unity not sectarianism we have built both peace and strong national institutions like the UPDF.” Even challenges like elephants destroying crops have been addressed technically. “Where electric fences have been installed in areas like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison, elephants no longer invade,” President Museveni said. He also addressed the issue of protected kraals. “I was surprised to learn that some of you still have protected kraals here. I was guided long ago that only people, not cows, should be in protected camps. People can find food and survive, but cows must graze. Quick communication from kraals to command centers allows UAVs to respond immediately to any cattle theft. For instance, if cows are stolen in Patongo at night, UAVs can track the rustlers until they are captured. This is how technology strengthens our security systems,” he said. President Museveni also spoke about infrastructure achievements in Agago. “Electricity used to stop in Lira. I decided that it must be extended all the way to West Nile through Kitgum. At one stage, the Swedish partners who were supposed to fund the transmission lines from Patongo–Kolongo–Adilang withdrew. We said: no problem, we shall do it ourselves. This is why prioritization is key,” he said. On education, the President noted both progress and gaps. “Agago has 112 government primary schools and 117 parishes. However, only 42 parishes currently host a government primary school, leaving 75 parishes without one. I have instructed the Minister of Education to study this distribution carefully. Every parish should have at least one government primary school,” he said. “Agago District also has nine government secondary schools and 12 private secondary schools, all offering Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET) with construction of additional Seed Secondary Schools underway.” President Museveni reminded residents that physical infrastructure alone does not eliminate poverty. “Do not be diverted by roads, electricity, and other public infrastructure. Those are collective assets; poverty is personal, and wealth is personal. Each individual, family, and company must take responsibility for creating wealth. That is how we achieve total transformation for our people and country,” he said. He highlighted government programs designed to help Ugandans create wealth, including Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM). “These programs are not for the rich; they are for ordinary Ugandans ready to work and improve their livelihoods,” he emphasized. Agago District NRM Chairperson, Mr. Walter Oketta Ogwang, welcomed the President to the district, saying: “Thank you, Mzee, for your leadership and dedication to serving this nation. Today, you have reached our district, and we are most grateful.” NRM Impact In Agago: In Agago District, 36,075 households (53.2% of the total 67,760) have benefited from PDM, with cumulative disbursements of over Shs. 36bn. The Emyooga initiative has reached 17,429 members across 54 SACCOs, with Shs. 2.05bn disbursed. Cattle compensation has also been implemented, with 1,389 claimants in Agago receiving Shs. 5.83bn. Agago has 26 sub-counties, with 1,142 villages. Out of 26 sub-counties, 1 has HCIV, 12 have HCIIIs, and 13 sub-counties currently lack health facilities. Planned upgrades include Patongo HCIV to a General Hospital and several HCII upgrades across the district. Water access has improved, with 817 villages (71%) being served by safe water sources. Urban and rural water projects include piped water in Patongo, Agago, Paimol, and Kalongo, alongside solar-powered water systems in Kotomor and Agengo sub-counties. Irrigation projects are underway, such as the 12-acre Orama Tebung system in Patongo and 14-acre Odom scheme in Adilang. Plans for the next five years include the Geregere Earth Dam, solar-powered irrigation schemes, and positioning Agago as a regional hub for sustainable agriculture. President Museveni concluded by urging residents to continue supporting the NRM, use government programs effectively, and actively participate in wealth creation initiatives. The event was graced by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.

2025-10-24

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS IN KARAMOJA, REAFFIRMS NRM’S LEGACY OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections, today officially launched his campaign in the Karamoja Sub-region with a rally at Abim Primary School grounds in Abim District. The event marked the start of his regional campaign trail under the NRM theme: “Protecting the Gains, As We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”. Addressing thousands of supporters, President Museveni placed peace and security at the heart of his message, reminding the people of Abim and the wider Karamoja region of the NRM’s long-standing contribution to stability and development over the past four decades. President Museveni reflected on the turbulent history of the Karamoja sub-region, marked by insecurity and cattle rustling that plagued the area for decades, citing his party’s disarmament campaign as one of its most significant achievements in restoring order and protecting lives. “The NRM felt very sad for the suffering of the Karamojong,” H.E. Museveni said. “In Nakapiripirit, there was a woman who had been married to nine husbands, and all of them died in war. That’s why we said the gun must get out of the population, and we removed 41,000 guns from the people of Karamoja,” Gen. Museveni added, while contrasting the disarmament figures with the strength of past national armies to emphasize the magnitude of the operation. “When Obote was overthrown, his army was 8,000 soldiers. When we defeated Idi Amin in 1980, his army was 20,000. But in Karamoja alone, we recovered 41,000 guns. That was suicide,” President Museveni noted, saying the stability ushered in by NRM policies has directly translated into population growth and improved livelihoods. “When I came here in 1979, the whole population of Karamoja was 190,000. The Labwor people were fewer than 20,000, but now you’re over 144,000 in Labwor alone. The size of Karamoja is now more than 2.5 million. The population has gone up more than ten times because there has been less instability and more immunization,” he emphasized. President Museveni added that peace and immunization have been critical drivers of population growth and stability, calling them NRM’s first and most enduring contributions to Uganda’s progress. The President attributed NRM’s ability to maintain peace to its deliberate rejection of bad politics based on tribe and religion. “We were able to maintain peace because of good politics, the politics of rejecting sectarianism, which has helped us build national institutions like the Army, Police, Judiciary, and Prisons,” he said, further urging the people of Abim to continue supporting the NRM for sustaining peace and unity. “If somebody asks you why you vote for the NRM, tell them it’s because of peace,” President Museveni said, drawing applause from the crowd. Regarding economic infrastructure in the region, H.E. Museveni highlighted progress in connecting Karamoja to the national electricity grid and the expansion of road infrastructure across the region. He recalled his efforts to extend power to Abim, despite initial challenges. “I struggled to bring electricity here. When the NRM came to power, electricity stopped in Lira, and there was none in West Nile and Karamoja. The Swedish wanted to help us push electricity from Lira to Patongo and Abim, but in 2006, when we had a shortage of power, I told the NRM cadres that we must prioritize roads and electricity, and we did it ourselves,” he said. Among the completed projects in the region, President Museveni listed the paving of 180.4 kilometers of roads, including the Nadunget–Iriiri (65.6 km), Kokeris–Matany (5.5 km), Namalu–Nakapiripirit (17 km), and Akisim–Moroto–Lokitanyala (92.3 km) roads. Other key routes, such as the Lira–Acanp–Abim (146 km), Soroti–Amuria–Abim (142 km), and Moroto–Abim–Omoro–Gulu (320 km) roads have also been prioritized for regional connectivity. The President, however, expressed concern over the maintenance of existing roads, blaming poor drainage systems for persistent damage. “The Ministry of Works has made mistakes in not maintaining the marram roads and not putting in drainage channels. When it rains, the roads become like a swimming pool,” he said, adding that he had instructed the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, to address the issue. Development through prioritization: Drawing lessons from his military background, Gen. Museveni emphasized the importance of prioritizing limited national resources to achieve sustainable development. “Recently, there was a strike by teachers wanting higher salaries, but the road helps all of us. We in the UPDF know how to prioritize,” he said, explaining that when resources were scarce, the government focused on strengthening defense before improving welfare. “Up to now, there are grass-thatched houses in Gulu barracks, but we said, let’s first buy good weapons. Salaries and good houses can come later. That’s why we can defend ourselves without the UN coming to protect us,” H.E. Museveni added. He urged citizens to support a disciplined approach to resource allocation, with defense, roads, electricity, railways, schools, and health centers as the top priorities. “That policy of touching so many things at once is a mistake you should avoid,” he cautioned. Fixing Water, Health, and Education gaps in Abim: President Museveni’s address also covered the social infrastructure challenges still facing Abim District. He acknowledged that only 151 of the 534 villages in Abim have access to safe water, representing 28% coverage, while 72% remain without clean water sources. Major achievements cited in the water sector include the construction of Kawomeri Earth Dam (capacity of 1.3 billion liters), 11 valley tanks, 2 solar-powered irrigation systems (Puno and Akado Kulo), and 2 wind-powered abstraction systems. These interventions, he said, have enhanced livestock watering, irrigation and reduced water stress for over 10,000 residents. In the health sector, President Museveni noted that Abim currently has one government hospital and three HCIIIs, leaving 12 sub-counties without any health facility. He listed plans to upgrade and construct new HCIIIs in several locations, including Lotuke, Morulem, Atunga, and Abuk, as well as ongoing upgrades in Awach, Arembwola, and Wilela. He pledged to follow up on why Abim Hospital has not been renovated for years. Turning to education, President Museveni reported that Abim District has 35 government primary schools and 25 private ones, with five government and three private secondary schools. Of the district’s 72 parishes, only 26 have a government primary school. He was happy to learn that four secondary schools are under construction, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from 11 to 7. President Museveni reassured the people of Abim that Uganda’s oil production, set to begin next year, will significantly boost the country’s revenue base and enable the government to fix many pending infrastructure challenges. “Our oil will start flowing next year, and many development challenges, like the roads, will be fixed,” he said. The President reiterated his long-standing call for free education in government schools, lamenting that many head teachers still burden children with school fees, which in turn leads to school dropouts. He pointed to the establishment of 19 regional skilling hubs across the country, offering free training in welding, tailoring, carpentry, hairdressing, bakery, and shoe-making. The hub in Napak has so far skilled 1,044 youth in Karamoja. “These children dropped out of school because of fees, but after six months of training, they can now tailor clothes, make soap, metallic doors, and shoes that we used to import from countries like India and China,” H.E. Museveni said. President Museveni promised to treat Abim as a special case, noting that the Labwor suffered during cattle rustling despite being largely non-participants in the conflict. He also said each district, including Abim, would receive Shs. 50 million for a SACCO to support graduates from skilling centers. President Museveni further differentiated between public infrastructure like roads, electricity, and water, and private wealth creation and urged residents to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) in order to join the money economy. The President emphasized that while infrastructure remains important, wealth creation at the household level is crucial for individual prosperity. “Even in Kampala, there are people in the ghettos who don’t have what to eat, yet they have had good roads and electricity for a long time. That’s why I urge you to use government programs like PDM to get out of poverty,” he advised. According to statistics, Abim District, with 72 parishes, has so far received Shs. 22.2 billion under PDM, of which Shs. 22.1 billion (99.74%) has been disbursed to 22,778 beneficiary households, representing 57 percent of all households. The remaining 17,164 households are yet to benefit. Abim’s support for President Museveni: According to official data, Abim District has 16 sub-counties, 72 parishes, and 534 villages with a total population of 144,084, based on the 2024 census. In the 2021 elections, the district had 36,539 registered voters, of whom 24,463 (67%) voted. President Museveni polled 18,254 votes (77.4%), followed by the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate with 3,956 votes (16.8%). For the 2026 elections, the number of registered voters has risen to 45,726, with polling stations increasing from 105 to 132. NRM officials believe this growing voter base and the region’s visible development record position the party favorably for an even stronger showing. NRM leaders in Karamoja and Abim welcomed President Museveni’s visit, describing it as a homecoming for a leader who has consistently prioritized the region in his development agenda. Hon. Lokii John Baptist, NRM Vice Chairperson for Karamoja, thanked the President for maintaining peace in the region through the disarmament campaign. “You removed illegal guns in Karamoja, which had brought untold suffering and loss of lives. The leaders of Karamoja are ready to protect this peace that you initiated,” Lokii said. He pledged to increase President Museveni’s support in the region, noting that the NRM secured 77 percent of the presidential votes in Karamoja in 2021. “We have sat as leaders and want to raise that to over 97 percent in 2026,” Lokii added. Abim NRM Chairperson, Engorok Obin appealed to the President to rehabilitate Abim Hospital and to extend electricity to the remaining four sub-counties not yet connected to the grid. He also requested compensation for livestock losses similar to that provided to communities in Acholi, Lango, and Teso.

2025-10-24