“I DON'T WANT TO USE FORCE ON THIS MATTER,” PRESIDENT MUSEVENI REITERATES CALL FOR FREE EDUCATION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni continues to express frustration about those failing to implement the government policy of free education across the country, calling upon leaders at all levels to ensure that the program is fully implemented. “I don’t want to use force on this matter. Discuss the issue of free education in government schools, including the technical schools. If we need to add more money to the government schools, we shall do it,” President Museveni said. The President made the remarks today, while commissioning the Greater Mubende Presidential Zonal Skilling Hub in Kibuye-Vuga Village, Kitenga Sub County, Mubende District. President Museveni, who is in the region for his routine tour on wealth creation activities and the Parish Development Model (PDM), said despite policies for Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE), as per the 1996 NRM manifesto, many schools still charge fees, which have become barriers, preventing full access to education, especially for learners from poor families. “In the 1996 NRM manifesto, we proposed to introduce free education. However, you people here refused to implement that, and up to now, there are school charges in the primary and secondary schools. But we knew that if you did that, you would exclude the children of the poor, and that's what is happening. Because if you check even here, you can get me the figures of the children who finish Secondary Education. From Primary seven, how many continue up to senior six?” the President wondered. “There are seven (7) years of primary school and there are 6 years in secondary school, but the figures I have for primary schools are 11 million children, and the ones in the secondary schools are 2 million, and yet the years are almost the same. So, what happened to the 9 million? It is the refusal to implement UPE and USE,” he added. According to the President, he decided to start free education through the skilling hubs to show the public that free education is possible and can be very productive, based on the testimonies of the youths who are self-employed after acquiring skills. “People who introduce charges in government schools may not go to heaven. Discuss amongst yourselves and agree to have free education in government schools,” the President said, adding that although his initiative of the regional skilling hubs is yielding results, it is costly compared to implementing free education for all children in government primary, secondary, and technical schools. “That was deliberate and cost-effective to achieve universal education cheaply. But you find five (5) districts sharing this center, and the children are coming from far away. So, I need to accommodate them and feed them and all that. But the plan of UPE is for day schools. That means a primary school per parish and a government secondary school per sub county, where children come to study and go back home rather than being at school in boarding sections,” he noted. The President further explained that this would then enable the government to concentrate on paying the teachers, building the classrooms, laboratories, building teachers' houses, and providing textbooks to support all children in Uganda. In the meantime, President Museveni promised to add more courses to the skilling hub, such as plumbing, motor mechanics, weaving, and textiles. “Now the children are making shoes for us. We used to import shoes from China, you can imagine! We are now going to add those skills,” he stated, while expressing appreciation to the students for being creative and innovative in putting the acquired skills into action. The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba informed the President that the hub is of great importance to the region in skilling the youths who are now able to employ themselves. “Many have been employed, but others still need your support. The skilling hub has also addressed domestic violence in homes because you find the husband and wife are both working to put food on the table,” Minister Nabakooba said. On the other hand, the President gave 10 million shillings to Mr. Kisekka Ronald, Ms. Conatance Twinomugisha, and Mr. Mawejje Willy, who are former students and ended up opening their businesses and are now employing others in carpentry, bakery, and hairdressing, respectively. Earlier, Mr. Kisekka from Mityana district informed the President that he had given up on life and could not be accommodated by any of the family members, but after six (6) months here at the hub, he got skills in carpentry. “I made a phone call to Kampala for a job, and I was admitted. If it weren’t for President Museveni, I would be dead. I have bought a cow for my father, and I also support him financially,” Mr. Kisekka said. Ms. Twinomugisha, who hails from Mubende Municipality, acquired skills in bakery, and upon completion, she started a small business called Gloria Sweet Bakery with 20,000 shillings, and now she makes cakes ranging between 200,000 shillings and 500,000 shillings. Her baking business gives her 80,000 shillings per day. “I call upon my fellow youths not to lose hope but come to Mubende Zonal Industrial Hub and get skilled for free,” Ms. Twinomugisha said. Mr. Mawejje, also among the pioneers of the skilling hub, informed the President that his hairdressing skills landed him a job in Kampala, and he is now a salon manager. “I'm now starting Willy Barber Salon because I have the qualifications, and I know what I’m doing,” he stated. During the same ceremony, Mr. Baganyire Joseph, the registrar of the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party for Kitenga sub-country, officially crossed to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). “I have decided to join NRM because it has fulfilled the promises, and anything we would base on to fight it. Come 2026, I’m with you, and even at my polling station where I defeated you, NRM shall win,” Mr. Baganyire told President Museveni. The ceremony was also attended by Members of Parliament, LC 5 chairpersons, and other political leaders from Greater Mubende and beyond.

2025-04-16

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI ANNOUNCES PLAN TO INCREASE PDM FUNDING

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today visited Kyankwanzi District as part of his ongoing assessment of the Parish Development Model (PDM), Uganda’s flagship initiative aimed at eradicating household poverty through commercial agriculture and financial inclusion. During his visit to Bugomolwa Parish in Nkandwa Sub-county, President Museveni met Mr. Matovu Patrick, a PDM beneficiary who has successfully utilized the program’s support to improve his family’s livelihood. Mr. Matovu received UGX 980,000 through the PDM, which he invested in purchasing 40 chicks at UGX 15,000 each, totaling UGX 600,000. He allocated UGX 100,000 for feed and an additional UGX 100,000 for iron sheets to construct a shelter. After six months, he sold 10 chickens at UGX 45,000 each, earning UGX 450,000. He supplemented this with UGX 400,000 from coffee sales to purchase a bull. Currently, Mr. Matovu earns UGX 40,000 per month from egg sales, selling one tray weekly at UGX 10,000. He utilizes cow dung and chicken droppings as fertilizers for his coffee and banana plantations, enhancing crop quality and yield. Expressing gratitude, Mr. Matovu thanked President Museveni for the PDM support, noting the significant improvement in his family’s standard of living. In recognition of Mr. Matovu’s efforts, President Museveni provided additional support, including UGX 10 million to purchase three dairy cows and UGX 9 million for a tuk-tuk to assist with transportation. The President also extended UGX 6 million to the LC1 Chairman for a motorcycle and UGX 1 million to each PDM beneficiary who attended the event. Addressing the community, President Museveni emphasized the importance of responsible utilization of PDM funds. He announced plans to increase annual funding from UGX 100 million to UGX 200 million after the upcoming elections, aiming to reach more households and enhance economic development. “If we are sending UGX 100 million to each parish per year, it means each homestead gets UGX 1 million, touching 100 homesteads. In the third year, those who first received the funds will return them, and in five years, we will have reached 1,500 homesteads,” President Museveni stated. He highlighted the benefits of the PDM over high-interest loans from moneylenders, noting that the program’s funds remain within the community and accrue a modest 6% interest over two years. President Museveni also addressed concerns about water scarcity, pledging to provide water tanks to assist farmers in irrigating their crops during dry seasons. Furthermore, he warned against corruption and mismanagement of PDM funds, urging locals to report any misconduct. He assured the community of his commitment to investigating and addressing such issues to ensure the program’s success. The occasion was attended by area leaders and community members.

2025-04-15

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST KEY BOTTLENECKS UNDERMINING PUBLIC SERVICE

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on leaders to address persistent bottlenecks undermining government service delivery and social transformation. These bottlenecks according to him include; sabotage of free education and healthcare system, corruption and land grabbing. The President made the remarks yesterday while meeting about 200 Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Town Clerks and Under Secretaries at State House, Entebbe. The government administrators recently completed a training course at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi. The training, held under the theme: “Transformative Public Service: A Path to Development, Improved Service Delivery and Wealth Creation”, was aimed at equipping civil servants with ideological clarity and practical tools for national transformation. During his address, the President identified a number of ‘irritants’ he said were eroding public trust in government. Among these was the illegal practice of charging learners in government-aided schools, which he described as a betrayal of the Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE and USE) policy. “Why has the political class failed to see the importance of Boona Basome (Education for All)?” the President asked. “We have seen numbers dropping from primary seven to Secondary. The head teachers are sabotaging our free education program by imposing illegal charges on parents.” President Museveni also urged CAOs and town clerks to enforce the no-fees policy in public schools and cautioned against the expansion of boarding schools under the guise of public education. “We don’t need boarding schools in order to provide free education. Let the children sleep at home. These added costs are suffocating poor families,” he noted. Turning to healthcare, President Museveni decried the persistent theft of drugs in government health centres, even as immunization efforts continue to succeed in eliminating diseases like measles and polio. “The stealing of drugs is a big irritant. We must stop it. Immunization is working and we have proof some diseases have disappeared. But corruption in our health facilities continues to cause suffering,” he noted. The President also spoke out strongly against land grabbing, particularly when facilitated by rogue elements within the security forces. He pledged to issue an Executive Order banning soldiers from involving themselves in land disputes. “The army’s duty is to protect Uganda’s borders, not to patrol land boundaries,” he said. He emphasized that eliminating these service delivery irritants would restore public confidence in government and accelerate national development. On the subject of wealth creation, the President revisited the NRM’s 1996 Four-Acre Model strategy, which advocates for intensive agriculture on small landholdings. He described the model developed after a careful study of local and international market demands as the medicine for families with fragmented land holdings. “In our strategy, one acre should be for clonal coffee, one for fruits like mangoes or oranges, one for pasture for zero-grazing dairy cows, and one for food crops like bananas and cassava,” he said. “In the backyard, families should rear poultry, pigs, and even engage in fish farming near wetlands. These seven activities can transform the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.” President Museveni also contrasted this with extensive agriculture, such as tea, cotton, tobacco, and sugarcane farming, which he said only generates significant income if done on a large scale. The President concluded by urging public servants to serve with integrity and commitment to the broader vision of socio-economic transformation. “If you work only for the stomach and forget the pocket, you’ll remain poor. But if we combine free education, health, and wealth creation, Uganda will rise,” he said. On his part, the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi applauded the recent two-week training programme for local government officers, describing it as timely and impactful. Speaking on behalf of the local government fraternity, Hon. Magyezi thanked the organizers and stakeholders for facilitating the training, which he said has rejuvenated and empowered the officers to serve their communities better. “These officers are energetic, committed, and now better equipped to deliver. I want to sincerely thank you for allowing this important training to happen,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the officers, Mr. Gabriel Atama, the Chief Administrative Officer of Tororo District commended the President’s visionary leadership which, he said, has enabled the officers to achieve significant milestones in their respective districts. “We are particularly grateful to Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve our country under your stewardship,” Mr. Atama said. “With your guidance and support, we have strengthened the implementation, coordination, and supervision of government programs in line with the NRM manifesto contributing to transformative achievements across sectors,” he said. Mr. Atama also recognized the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni for her continued parental guidance and support to the officers and local governments. Highlighting some of the key achievements, Mr. Atama cited the successful implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that 10,585 SACCOs have been registered, with over Shs 2.6 trillion disbursed to benefit more than 2.6 million Ugandans. “This directly fulfills the NRM manifesto’s promise of empowering citizens at the grassroots and enhancing household incomes,” he emphasized. In the education sector, he reported the supervision and completion of 259 hybrid seed secondary schools, which led to a 47% increase in enrollment in 2023 and a further 18% in 2024. Girl-child enrollment now stands at nearly 50%, a demonstration of the government's strong commitment to gender equality,” he added. On health, Mr. Atama said that 321 new health units have been constructed, representing 84% of the term target. “This progress has significantly improved maternal and child health indicators across several districts,” he noted. He further pointed to progress in road construction, empowering special interest groups such as the youth, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the strengthening of good governance through the fight against corruption. However, Mr. Atama highlighted key challenges affecting the officers’ effectiveness. “Many of us serve in districts far from our homes, incurring high personal costs on transport. Coupled with not enough pay and the rising cost of living. These challenges place a burden on our ability to serve optimally,” he said. He reiterated that CAOs play a critical role in mobilizing communities, supervising government projects and ensuring accountability in sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. “As officers committed to national development, we stand ready to continue delivering, we however appeal for increased facilitation and welfare improvements to match the expectations placed upon us,” Mr. Atama concluded. The meeting was also attended by Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister for Presidency, Hon. Victoria Rusoke Businge, the Minister of State for Local Government, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, among other officials.

2025-04-14

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI APPLAUDS DR. MAGOOLA FOR SECURING U.S PATENT FOR CANCER TREATMENT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commended Ugandan scientist Dr. Mathias Magoola for securing a United States patent for cancer treatment, describing the achievement as a major milestone for Uganda’s scientific advancement. The President made the remarks after meeting Dr. Magoola, the Founder and Managing Director of Dei BioPharma Ltd, at State House, Entebbe, where the scientist briefed him on the successful patent and his company’s ongoing efforts to manufacture life-saving drugs and vaccines. “Dr. Magoola has developed medical solutions that not only target cancer but also offer treatment for HIV, and sickle cell disease,” President Museveni said. On his part, Dr. Magoola informed President Museveni that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officially granted and published his patent on February 6, 2025. He mentioned that the patent covers a novel cancer treatment developed over several years, using guided RNA attached to the Cas9 protein to target and destroy mutated genes responsible for cancer. “This invention presents the first treatment of cancer using a guided RNA-Cas9 complex that disrupts mutated genes and prevents them from repairing, thereby killing the cancerous cells,” Dr. Magoola explained. He added that unlike existing FDA-approved gene-editing therapies, his innovation is specifically tailored to treat all types and stages of cancer, without harming healthy cells. He cited that this precision eliminates the severe side effects commonly associated with chemotherapy, antibody therapy, and radiation. Dr. Magoola revealed that all manufacturing details for the product are complete, and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested an approval plan, which he will submit in the near future. Clinical trials are expected to begin before the end of the year. “All details of the manufacturing of this product have been completed and are ready to go for testing,” he told the President. Dr. Magoola emphasized that the innovation has both medical and humanitarian significance. With a projected global cancer burden of 35 million cases annually by 2030, his treatment designed to be simple and affordable offers hope to millions, especially in developing countries. The invention, he noted, represents a potential $300bn market and will be produced at the upcoming multi-billion-dollar vaccine and drug manufacturing facility in Matugga, near Kampala. “This invention is not just a scientific breakthrough, it is a humanitarian contribution aimed at eradicating cancer globally,” Dr. Magoola said. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Attorney General, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury -Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Nelson Tugume , the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inspire Africa Group, among others.

2025-04-13

OVER 4,200 STATE HOUSE- SPONSORED STUDENTS TO SIT FOR DIT EXAMS

After six months of hands-on training, a total of 4,201 students under State House’s sponsored Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl/ Boy Child (PISGBC) are set to be assessed this week by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT). According to Mr. Dan Wejuli, a State House official who is in charge of planning and welfare for the PISGBC project, the assessment will kick off in all the nine skilling centres in Kampala. Mr. Wejuli made the remarks last Friday in Wandegeya, during the final day of a showcasing ceremony of products made by the students who underwent a six-month vocational skills training. Some of the courses taught in the nine skilling centres include welding and metal fabrication, leather designing/shoe making, embroidery, knitting, carpentry, building and construction, as well as baking and confectionery. Other courses include hairdressing, knitting and tailoring, as well as plumbing, recycling and value addition. Upon completion of the practical skilling, each of the students is awarded a certificate which is equivalent to Uganda Certificate of Education (O’Level). According to the Special Presidential Assistant on Skilling and Education and Head of PISGBC project, Dr. Faith Katana Mirembe, the initiative was started in 2017 by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to reduce unemployment among the less privileged youths by equipping them with practical and employable skills that can enable young adults from poor-urban communities to earn a decent living. Dr. Katana commended KCCA for availing the PISGBC free space in Wandegeya Market, which accommodates one of the first two skilling centres under the PISGBC project. “This space is free; Subway and Luzira are also free. We do not pay rent for it. We thank KCCA for this free space,” Dr. Katana said. Dr. Hillary Musoke Kisanja, the Senior Presidential Advisor on agribusiness commended State House for the project that has improved the livelihoods of the youths in Kampala. Ms. Sheillah Birungi, KCCA’s director of gender, youth and production said skilling has empowered young women (17 to 35 years of age) by making them productive. “Recently, I also learnt how to bake cakes. I turned 50 years of age in December last year, but I was inspired by Dr. Katana when she said she is now 69 years of age and yet still so vibrant,” Ms. Birungi noted. Ms. Birungi pledged to talk to the Executive Director of KCCA to consider availing PISGBC a space in Busega to also establish a centre. “If we can get a centre in Busega, in the new market, that would make it better for the residents to be empowered with skills,” she suggested.

2025-03-13

PRESIDENT MUSEVENI, ACHOLI OPPOSITION LEADERS AGREE TO UNITE FOR REGION’S DEVELOPMENT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today met with opposition leaders from Acholi, with both sides agreeing to put aside political differences and work together to tackle poverty and drive socio-economic transformation in the sub-region. The meeting marked a turning point, as the Members of Parliament representing different political affiliations expressed their commitment to collaborating with the government for the betterment of Acholi. During the meeting at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni reflected on Uganda’s historical challenges, emphasizing that unity and a shared vision are essential for sustainable development. President Museveni also traced the roots of the country’s political instability back to 1961, which is not the case currently, under the NRM government. He pointed out that the first mistake was made by the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) when it misled the Buganda Kingdom leadership by making promises that fuelled tribal politics instead of promoting national unity. “The difference between Uganda and Tanzania is that Tanzania started its politics with unity, while Uganda’s politics began with division. In 1961, UPC misled Mengo by promising them federalism, rather than pushing for a united Uganda,” President Museveni said. He noted that the collapse of the alliance between UPC and Kabaka Yekka in 1966 further deepened divisions, ultimately weakening the army and allowing instability to fester. President Museveni also dismissed claims that his past ties with Acholi fighters meant the region should have automatically developed, explaining that sectarianism undermined those efforts. “In 1976, I trained young men including some from Acholi in Mozambique. But when we captured Kampala in 1979, some UPC supporters told them, ‘Why are you working with this Munyankore?’ and they abandoned us. That’s how bad policies and sectarianism worked against national unity,” he explained. The President thus emphasized the importance of unity over revenge, recalling how the collapse of Idi Amin’s regime in 1979 led to unfair targeting of West Nile people, forcing over half a million of them into exile in Congo and South Sudan. “The focus should therefore have been on reconciliation, not revenge.” Turning to development, President Museveni reiterated his government’s focus on addressing poverty through the Parish Development Model (PDM) but acknowledged the challenge of funding big parishes. “A parish with 20,000 households cannot be transformed with just Shs 100 million. We must rethink how we support these parishes according to their different numbers,” he noted. On education, the President emphasized the importance of affordable and accessible schooling, advocating for the establishment of seed secondary schools in every sub-county to ensure children can walk or cycle to school. “The only way to provide mass education is through day schools. If we concentrate on building a seed secondary school per sub-county, we can reach more children,” he said. He added that the government is committed to strengthening Universal Primary and Secondary Education by increasing capitation grants. The President also touched on healthcare, stressing the importance of preventive health measures, including immunization, proper nutrition, and access to clean water. “Curative health is expensive. If we focus on prevention through immunization, clean water, and lifestyle changes, we can eliminate 80% of illnesses,” he said. Reflecting on the army's journey, President Museveni revealed that their success in building a strong national defense was rooted in sacrifice, not high salaries. “When we fought Amin, Nyerere gave us guns and food, but no money. Even after 1986, soldiers were paid little or nothing because the priority was securing the country first,” he said. Additionally, the President urged Acholi leaders to guide the youth in embracing unity and hard work through the right mindset. “For the youth to change their mindsets and work towards development, the leaders who are adults must start by being positive and influence their mindsets positively.” The opposition leaders led by Hon. Okin Ojara, the Member of Parliament for Chua West County and a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) while presenting their memorandum, emphasized their commitment to putting aside political differences and working collectively for the betterment of Acholi Sub-region. “We may belong to different political parties, but our focus is on fighting poverty and driving socio-economic transformation in Acholi,” the leaders stated. Hon. Ojara revealed that 10 opposition MPs from Acholi have formed a platform dubbed ‘Operation Harmony’, a collective effort to put aside political differences and work towards the betterment of their people. “We are 10 leaders from different political shades, but we came together to think, brainstorm, and prioritize the pride and prosperity of our people,” Hon. Ojara said. “We asked ourselves tough questions: Why are we in opposition? Should we remain in opposition while our people continue to suffer? How long should we stay in opposition when Acholi is one of the poorest regions in the country? Are we leading our people to poverty or prosperity?” he wondered. He explained that these reflections led them to the realization that they needed to engage the government directly. “We decided to package our ideas into this memorandum and present it to you, Your Excellency, because we want to work with you for the socio-economic transformation of Acholi,” Hon. Ojara stated. On Transitional Justice and Mental Health, the leaders stressed the need for a robust Transitional Justice Framework to address the psychological scars left by past conflicts. “The conflict disturbed the software of our people. A recent survey revealed high levels of mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorders in Acholi. Some children are even suffering from nodding disease,” Hon. Ojara noted. They proposed establishing a Mental Rehabilitation Center in the region, suggesting that the broken-down facility at Gulu Regional Hospital should be urgently rehabilitated. The MPs also called for transparency in the ongoing war compensation process. “We need clarity on who has been compensated, how much has been spent, and how long this process will take. If necessary, a new framework should be established to ensure fair and timely compensation,” he said. They also raised concerns about Acholi refugees still living in Zambia, DRC, and Kenya, even as the region hosts refugees from South Sudan. “We propose creating a mechanism to engage these refugees, inform them about the peace and stability we now have, and encourage their return home,” Hon. Ojara added. On Healthcare and Infrastructure, the memorandum called for upgrading Kitgum General Hospital to a Regional Referral Hospital and the establishment of new hospitals in Omoro and Amuru districts. They also pushed for the rehabilitation of key roads to improve access to services and markets. The MPs highlighted the need to implement Musevenomics, the President’s strategy of boosting productivity by focusing on factors of production, knowledge, and markets. “We analyzed how to apply ‘Musevenomics’ in Acholi, combining it with the Four Acre Model to promote commercial farming. We want to focus on perennial crops like coffee, cocoa, and fruits,” Hon. Ojara explained. The leaders further commended the work being done at the Gulu Presidential Skilling Hub but requested more such centers across the region. “Those who have trained at the Gulu Skilling Hub are now a model for others. We need more centers to empower our youth,” he said. Hon. Ojara further pointed out that Acholi has over 600 parishes covering 28,000 square kilometers, but each parish receives the same Shs 100 million under PDM, regardless of size. “Given the vastness of our parishes, we request a special arrangement to increase funding for Acholi’s larger parishes so that PDM can be more impactful,” he urged. Hon. Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees echoed the call for unity among Acholi leaders, emphasizing the need to work hand in hand with the government to tackle underdevelopment in the region. He applauded the leaders for putting aside political differences for the common good. “We come as true leaders, united by a shared ideological vision and a commitment to the welfare of our people. One thing we all agree on is the President’s goodwill towards Acholi and his love for Uganda. This has given us the platform to come together, share ideas, and find a way forward,” he said. Hon. Onek acknowledged the region's long-standing challenges including poverty, poor infrastructure, and the scars of past conflicts but emphasized that division has only deepened these issues. “We recognize that some of the setbacks in Acholi have stemmed from political differences. That’s why we have resolved to work together, regardless of party affiliation, to support the government’s development agenda,” he stated. The Minister stressed that Acholi must chart a new path focused on unity and progress. “We want Acholi to be different to move beyond past divisions and focus on tangible solutions for our people. Our goal is to support every effort aimed at transforming the region,” he added. Hon. Betty Aol Ocan, Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu City and a member of FDC also called for a collective action to combat poverty in Acholi sub-region. Hon. Aol acknowledged the deep-rooted poverty in the region despite the presence of various government programs. She emphasized that political differences should not stand in the way of addressing the pressing issues affecting their people. “As long as we all put the interests of the Acholi people first, why shouldn’t we work together? We must unite to find lasting solutions for poverty alleviation,” Hon. Aol added. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Kenneth Omona, the minister of State for Northern Uganda, Gen. David Muhoozi, the Minister of state for Internal Affairs , Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, the NRM secretary General , Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja , the Deputy Secretary General of the NRM, Hon. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the Bardege-Layibi Division Member of Parliament, Hon. Anthony Akol , the Member of Parliament representing Kilak North constituency, Hon. Santa Okot , the Member of Parliament representing Pader District (Aruu North), among others.

2025-03-13