LAMWO DISTRICT, ACHOLI SUB-REGION — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has questioned the capability of rival presidential contenders to maintain Uganda’s prevailing peace and stability, as he intensified his campaign in Lamwo District.
While addressing a campaign rally at Padibe Boys Primary School playgrounds, Museveni emphasized his deep personal involvement in the country’s stabilization efforts over the past 65 years. He argued that only the NRM has the experience and understanding of Uganda’s complex political landscape, particularly in regions like Lamwo, which were once plagued by rebel insurgencies that claimed countless lives.
Museveni specifically cast doubt on the leadership credentials of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) candidate Mugisha Muntu, urging voters in Lamwo to continue placing their trust in the NRM government.
Education and Infrastructure: Museveni Highlights Achievements
During the rally, the NRM flagbearer commended Lamwo District for the progress made under his government in education and infrastructure. He cited the existence of 74 government primary schools and several secondary schools, pledging further investment to improve and expand these institutions in the next term.
Museveni reminded the residents of Lamwo that access to education in their region was once a “myth” until the NRM government turned it into a reality. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free universal education, calling on voters to defend and support the program in all government schools.
He also pointed to examples from the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, where graduates have become productive citizens, as evidence of the government’s successful education and empowerment programs. He called for a shift to day schooling in government schools to reduce administrative costs while ensuring timely teacher salaries and infrastructure improvement.
Healthcare, Water Access, and Roads
Museveni noted significant improvements in healthcare services and the distribution of clean and safe water across the district as other key indicators of NRM’s progress.
He also assured residents of upcoming road construction projects in Lamwo. With major national highways now in place, the government is shifting its focus to improving local connectivity, he said.
Poverty Eradication and Economic Empowerment
Touting the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other socioeconomic empowerment initiatives, Museveni described them as “golden opportunities” in the fight against poverty. He revealed that UGX 26.4 billion has already been disbursed to 26,677 beneficiaries in Lamwo District through these programs.
The NRM presidential candidate urged residents to prioritize wealth creation at the household level, noting that social and economic infrastructure alone cannot eliminate poverty without individual initiative and productivity.
Cattle Restocking and Post-Conflict Recovery
Acknowledging the devastating impact of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency on the region, Museveni pledged to resolve the long-standing issue of cattle restocking in Lamwo. He said the intervention would serve as redress for the historical losses suffered during the conflicts.
