Maracha District, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, has called on the people of Maracha District to actively reject poverty by embracing government-backed wealth creation programs. Speaking during a well-attended campaign rally at Nyadri Urban Secondary School grounds, Museveni emphasized that poverty is not only a personal burden but also a loss to the family and the nation.
“We need people to shift from subsistence to commercial production and become contributors to our tax base.” President Museveni stated.
Wealth Creation as a National Priority
Museveni highlighted several government interventions designed to uplift households from poverty, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. He urged residents to actively participate in these programs, which are key pillars in the NRM’s plan to transform Uganda into a high middle-income country.
He noted that while the government is investing in infrastructure such as roads and electricity, true transformation will only come when citizens also improve their household incomes.
“We are tarmacking roads, yes—but you don’t sleep on the road. You go home and face poverty. That’s what we must defeat,” Museveni said.
Politics Compared to Medicine
Drawing an analogy, the President said politics is like medicine—it requires leaders who can properly diagnose the challenges of society and prescribe effective solutions.
He challenged voters to elect leaders with a track record of development and vision, cautioning against divisive and sectarian politics based on tribe or gender.
“Avoid leaders who bring back the sectarianism that once drove many of you into exile in the DRC and South Sudan. The peace you enjoy today is a product of NRM’s deliberate efforts,” he remarked.
Harnessing Regional Market Opportunities
Museveni also encouraged West Nile residents to leverage their strategic location near the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan to boost trade and economic activity.
“Ugandans are making money across Africa. Why not here? Use this opportunity and grow your wealth,” he urged.
Electrification and Industrialisation
In his address, Museveni outlined plans for last-mile electricity connections to all remaining sub-counties in Maracha District. This move, he said, is part of a broader strategy to enhance industrialization across the West Nile sub-region.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to connect the region to the 132 kV national power grid, which will enable consistent electricity supply for both households and industries.
Investments in Education and Oil Revenue
On education, the President acknowledged the uneven distribution of government-aided schools in the district and pledged to correct the imbalance by ensuring each parish has access to both primary and secondary schools.
Regarding Uganda’s oil resources, Museveni assured citizens that the revenue from oil will be directed into key national projects including road construction, railways, and scientific innovations to secure Uganda’s future.
Follow-Up on Youth Skilling Funds
During the rally, Museveni questioned Maracha District Deputy RDC Monica Koliba about the delay in disbursing SACCO funds for graduates of the Presidential Skilling Hub in West Nile. Upon immediate follow-up by NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Dennis Hamson Obua, it was confirmed that the funds are still available at Post Bank Arua and pending release.
NRM Manifesto: 2026–2031
Museveni instructed NRM mobilization teams to ensure that the party’s 2026–2031 manifesto is widely distributed and understood. The manifesto, he said, is grounded in nine core thematic areas, including peace and security, job creation, industrialization, and infrastructure development.
“Our focus is protecting the gains we have made as we make a qualitative leap toward becoming a high middle-income country,” he concluded.
