By: Zephania Ikiriza Atwooki
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today outlined the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) achievements and future commitments in wealth creation, health, education, and fisheries as he held his first campaign rally in Lango Sub-region in Amolatar District.
Reflecting on the NRM’s 40-year journey, President Museveni said the party’s work can be summarized under the immense development achieved so far, which has transformed livelihoods.
He recalled that in 2013, only 68% of Ugandans were engaged in the money economy, prompting him to launch Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and subsequent wealth creation programs years later.
He cited success stories such as that of Apio from Lira, who received one million shillings, hired land, planted maize, and eventually expanded into sheep rearing after discovering a ready market among South Sudanese.
President Museveni urged Ugandans to broaden their view of employment beyond government jobs.
“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,” he said.
The President also praised Uganda’s immunization efforts, which have eradicated diseases like polio, but expressed concern over theft of drugs 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.
Turning to education, President Museveni admitted that government schools have been undermined by school charges that drive children out of classrooms. He highlighted the achievements of the Presidential Zonal Skilling Hubs, which provide free training in skills 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 day schooling in government schools as the best model for Uganda’s future.
“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,” President Museveni stressed.
The President underlined the importance of national unity in supporting markets for goods and services.
“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 long-standing grievance in Northern Uganda, President Museveni confirmed that the government had adopted his proposal of compensating five cows per homestead.
“I have already instructed the government to work on it. We shall do it slowly, but it will be done,” he said.
On fisheries, President Museveni pledged more support for fishing communities through a specialized SACCO. He also encouraged fish farming as a better use of wetlands.
“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 70 million shillings. The government will raise money for fishponds in Lango, Teso, Busoga, and Bukedi,” he said, adding that only the government can handle the high capital requirements of large-scale fish farming.
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, thanked President Museveni for restoring peace in Northern Uganda.
The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua echoed the rally’s theme of “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”, urging the people of Lango to support President Museveni to consolidate peace and development.
He also revealed plans to build a technical school in Amolatar District in memory of the late Latigo Olara, in line with the government’s plan of one technical school per district.
Amolatar LCV Chairman, Mr. Geoffrey Ocen requested the President to upgrade health facilities and accelerate cattle compensation process, while also promising to deliver “100% votes” for him from Amolatar.
