NRM secretary general Richard Todwong on Monday hailed the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) for their positive contribution to bringing back peace to the Karamoja sub-region.

He made the remarks while speaking to hundreds of NRM supporters at Lorengechora Primary School in Napak district. The event marked 38 years of the movement's government since it captured state power in 1986.

“I want to thank the security agencies for pacifying Karamoja,” he noted, adding that "if it was not that struggle, some of us could not be talking.

Several entertaining groups entertained the delegates at the 38th NRM anniversary in Napak district. (Photo by Olandason Wanyama)

Todwong asked the Karimojong to pledge as movement loyalists by continuing to vote the regime in power, adding that several areas in Uganda, like West Nile, Rwenzori and Acholi, had lagged in development.

He said the Acholi were displaced for decades, but when they accepted the NRM, they are now very peaceful.

The former Member of Parliament for Nwoya County noted that peace is the alpha and omega of development.

Todwong said the government was going to reexamine strategies for building schools, health centres, tarmacking roads and bringing electricity to the grassroots.

He implored the locals to take their children to school to attain education.

However, he asked them to desist from excessive consumption of alcohol. “Just reduce the consumption of liquor and begin thinking of economic activities. I am happy you are now asking for dams, water for production,” he noted.

‘Lasting solution to peace’

The district woman Member of Parliament, Faith Nakut, appreciated the government for its unrelenting support to the Karimojong.

She, however, appealed to the government to find a last solution to sustain peace in the sub-region.

Simon Peter Olobo, Mr. Culture Karamoja in white dancing at the NRM event held at Lorengechora Primary School in Napak district. (Photo by Olandason Wanyama)

“From 2001 to 2011, we had a serious armed conflict which was quelled and then it resumed in 2018 until seven months ago when the UPDF contained the insurgents.

“I am asking the government to not let the army pack its belongings the way they did in 2017,” Nakut said, urging leaders and the government to build sustainable peace structures.

She also hailed the government for introducing the Parish Development Model (PDM), which is aimed at transforming households from subsistence to commercial farming.

However, she noted that most people had not received the funds.

‘Committed to NRM’

John Paul Kodet, the district chairperson, described the Tarehe Sita Day as remarkable and asked the locals not to take it for granted.

He assured the NRM secretary general that the commitment of his people towards the NRM party was 100 percent.

Napak NRM chairperson Jimmy Tebanyang said the support for the movement was on the rise after five years.

He said in the 2021 elections, NRM garnered 98.3 percent, but this time around, “we shall strike 100 percent”.