Museveni hails Karamoja’s peace as foundation for development

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised the people of Karamoja for embracing peace and stability, describing it as the foundation upon which the region’s development now stands.

Addressing thousands of supporters at a campaign rally held at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School in Karenga district on October 25, 2025, President Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, reflected on Karamoja’s transformation over the last four decades.

“I came here with my delegation to ask for your support and to speak to you about what we have done in the last 40 years and our next plans,” he said.

President Museveni said the government’s disarmament campaign had ended years of violent cattle rustling that once destabilised the region. 

“When we first came here, the main challenge was insecurity caused by cattle rustling. What began as a cultural practice for paying bride price had turned into commercial crime,” he said. “Stolen cows were being sold cheaply in distant markets; some were even taken to Kalerwe in Kampala. Many innocent people were being killed.”

He added that he had a duty to act. “Some people said, ‘You cannot disarm the Karamojong unless you disarm the Turkana, Somalia, or Ethiopia.’ I told them, my responsibility is Uganda. I will disarm my people and protect their lives.”

He recalled the human toll of the violence. “There was a woman in Nakapiripirit who had been married nine times, and all her husbands had been killed by the guns. What sort of country is that? Today, Karamoja is enjoying peace,” he said.

Museveni noted that with security restored, social services such as education and health had flourished. “Children are now going to school, and health services like immunisation have improved because there is no more death by gun. The population is growing because people are surviving.”

Infrastructure and connectivity

The President outlined progress in electricity and road connectivity across the region. “Electricity has arrived here in Karenga. Years ago, power stopped in Soroti and Lira, and the economy had collapsed. Through prioritisation, we extended electricity to Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, and now Karenga,” he said.

He added that communication networks had improved through public-private partnerships. “All they needed was peace and good policy. Now, everyone has a phone in their pocket,” he noted.

On infrastructure, he said government plans to tarmac the Kitgum–Namukora–Karenga–Kidepo route and further improve the Moroto–Kotido–Kaabong road.

Building personal wealth

Museveni urged residents not to depend solely on government projects but to engage in wealth creation through ongoing government initiatives. “Don’t be diverted by roads, electricity, and other developments. Poverty is personal, and so is wealth,” he said.

He encouraged people to use programmes such as Entandikwa, NAADS, OWC, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) to improve their livelihoods. “These opportunities are not for the rich, they are for the ordinary people,” he said.

The President also handed over NRM flags to parliamentary, district, and local government candidates in Karenga district, formally endorsing them for the upcoming elections.

Baatom Ben Koryang, MP for Dodoth West, praised the NRM for bringing peace and development to Karenga. He cited PDM funding of sh11.2 billion and the upcoming Lokole Seed School as key milestones. “Through your wise leadership, we are enjoying peace,” he said.

Karenga, one of Uganda’s newest districts, has seen improvements in education, water access, and entrepreneurship. With 228 villages and a population of just over 100,000, the district has received more than sh11 billion under PDM, reaching nearly half its households.