Museveni set to address campaign rallies in Apac, Kwania in new presidential term bid

By Nelson Mandela Muhoozi, Michael Onyinge, Patrick Okino, Hudson Opunyo and Joseph Ekol

APAC - President Yoweri Museveni is today, October 3, 2025, expected to hold his fifth and sixth campaign rallies in Apac and Kwania districts, building on momentum from his grand rallies held a day earlier in Otuke and Alebtong districts, where he pledged oil revenues for development and urged Lango to embrace wealth creation.

Addressing crowds at Aloi Primary School in Alebtong and later at Orum Primary School in Otuke Town Council, the president said that while the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has secured peace and delivered key infrastructure over the past four decades, the next phase must focus on household wealth creation.

“Even with tarmac roads and electricity, poverty can still be waiting for you at home. Development without wealth is meaningless. Wealth is your personal responsibility—whether as a family or a company,” Museveni said, to loud cheers from the Otuke crowd.

In Otuke, leaders promised Museveni support and noted that in the last elections the district narrowly missed delivering 80 percent of the votes to Museveni. The local leaders promised to raise that figure to 90 percent in 2026 elections.

Addressing crowds at Aloi Primary School in Alebtong and later at Orum Primary School in Otuke Town Council, the president said that while the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has secured peace and delivered key infrastructure over the past four decades, the next phase must focus on household wealth creation. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Funds for graduates, religious leaders, and cultural institutions

In Alebtong, the President unveiled bold new proposals aimed at empowering households to rise from poverty. He promised a fund for university graduates who remain unemployed two years after completing their studies.

The president also promised a fund for cultural and religious leaders, encouraging them to form Saving and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) instead of competing with ordinary citizens for Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.

Additionally, Museveni pledged to expand government initiatives, including Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Fund (YLF), and the new Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) initiative.

“My people, I am pleading with you: get out of poverty. These funds are aimed at making sure everybody begins to create wealth. We don’t want anyone left behind,” Museveni said.

 He displayed video testimonies of successful farmers, including Joel Okello from Amolatar, who earns shillings 480 million annually from his diversified farm, and Apio from Lira, who invested PDM funds in maize and livestock, lifting her family’s income.

Museveni also vowed to strengthen free education and health systems, particularly to fight drug theft in hospitals. 

He promised more skilling in fishponds, industrial farming initiatives, and better monitoring of schools. 

“We have built peace, unity, and development. Now let us build wealth together,” he said.

Oil money will not buy whisky or perfume

At Orum Primary School in Otuke, Museveni walked supporters down memory lane, recalling the district’s role during the insurgencies of the Holy Spirit Movement, Joseph Kony’s Lords Resistance Army (LRA), and Karimojong cattle rustlers.

“I first heard of Otuke in 1979 when Benson Ogwang, a son of this soil, sought help during Amin’s regime. Later, I camped here to fight Kony and cattle rustlers. Today, I am happy to see peace flourishing. Nobody will disturb this peace again,” he told cheering residents.

On development, the President acknowledged challenges with roads but pledged swift action, particularly on the Lira–Apala–Abim–Kotido road and the Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini road.

“Some people say we have delayed but remember much of the money was spent fighting insurgencies. Fortunately, Uganda has discovered oil, and in 2026, petroleum will begin flowing. Let me assure you: oil money will never be used to import whisky, perfumes, or wigs. It will be used to build roads, schools, and electricity,” Museveni said.

The President also stressed the four-acre model, urging families to shift from subsistence to commercial farming. He cited examples of ordinary Ugandans who leveraged small loans from PDM to generate wealth.

“Even people with not much can become rich. Look at Rose from Oyam, who started with just four pigs and one goat bought with PDM money. Today, she is worth millions. That is the way forward,” Museveni noted.

Key concerns of Otuke residents

On the sides, residents of Otuke District raised concerns over the poor road infrastructure and the absence of a district hospital, saying the situation is severely affecting access to essential social services, particularly education and healthcare.

 In the next term of office, they said the government needs to prioritise the rehabilitation of key road networks—especially the Lira–Otuke–Abim road—and to upgrade Orum Health Centre IV into a fully equipped district hospital.

Stella Amolo, the vice-chairperson of Otuke Town Council, emphasised the urgency of upgrading the health facility, which currently serves not only Otuke but also parts of Agago and Abim districts.

"I am calling upon President Museveni to consider our request, because doing so will save many lives," Amolo said.

Amony Stella, a district councillor, echoed the call, noting that Otuke’s population has grown significantly, necessitating a proper district hospital to meet rising healthcare demands.

She also appealed to the President to expedite the long-standing issue of cattle compensation in the region.

"We welcomed his initiative of compensating every household. Let him act on it as soon as possible, because it's a demand from everyone," Amony added.

Florence Akello, a resident of Ogor Sub-county and a Shea butter entrepreneur, appealed to the President to support their business initiatives. Akello, who also chairs the Can Omia Diro Women’s Group, said they have been struggling for years without receiving any support.

"We have tried to grow our Shea butter business, but we’ve never received help. We hope the President can support our efforts to improve livelihoods," she said.

Residents say that addressing these issues would not only improve living conditions but also boost economic development in the district.

Voices From Alebtong

Yeko Ayo Ameto, 78-year-old old

NRM under president Museveni deserves another term because he brought peace and managed insurgencies of the Holy Spirit Movement by (Lakwena), Joseph Kony’s Lords Residence Army and stopped the cattle raiding in Alebtong.

Yeko Ayo Ameto (Credit: Joseph Ekol)

He has also ensured that people get involved in wealth creation through so many projects including PDM, Youth Livelihood Funds, and others. Now, the government should mobilize and bring more youths on board so that they are more empowered to participate in building the country in the next term of office.

Dr ‎Mercy Lakisa, the NRM flag bearer for Alebtong district Woman MP

Over the years, Alebtong just like any other district enjoyed peace, free education and improved health services under the National Resistance Movement party leadership.

Dr ‎Mercy Lakisa (Credit: Joseph Ekol)

This puts Museveni on top as the only trusted candidate who can further develop our country. We have Alanyo Health Centre which was recently elevated to the HCIV, and we hope that Alebtong HCIV will soon be upgraded to the district hospital to reduce the burden of people traveling distances to seek healthcare services.

David Kennedy Odongo, Alebtong district LCV (UPC)

I commend the NRM government for the fulfillment some pledges made some time back. The only challenge is that the pledges always take long. The other big challenge is the roads, especially that from Lira-Aloi-Otuke that the government has been promising to tarmac.

David Kennedy Odongo (Credit: Joseph Ekol)

It is currently in a very bad state. Regarding the cattle compensation, most of the people seem to have accepted the idea the president came up with, which is to restock the households. The process should begin as soon as possible, and it would have been better if some people received some batches by the end of October this year.

Government’s achievement in the region

The leaders from Lango commended the NRM for delivering tangible gains to the area, citing sustainable peace, infrastructural development, and wealth creation initiatives.

They noted that Otuke, once an epicenter of insurgency and a major gateway for Karamojong cattle rustlers, experienced significant transformation after President Yoweri Museveni personally intervened. 

They said his decision to camp in Otuke marked a turning point in restoring peace and security in the region.

While welcoming the president to address the rally, the speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, assured the president, noting: "We thank you so much for coming to Otuke. The people of Otuke said they will vote for you. Bu help them make their roads. They are happy that you helped them get out of the camps. They said they are not going to give a protest vote due to the peace you brought to Uganda."

Denis Hamson Obua, the NRM regional vice chairperson in charge of Northern Uganda, emphasized the importance of recognizing the President’s contributions.
“We need to thank President Museveni for ushering in peace and stability, and we should show our appreciation through our votes in the 2026 general elections,” Obua said.

Obua added that, in the sub-region, there is ongoing construction of the Akii Bua Stadium, the Lango Palace, and the Rwekunye–Apac–Lira–Acholibur road.

He also mentioned the upgrading of Otuke County—which was formerly part of Lira District—to district status and was later subdivided into two counties: Otuke County and Otuke East.

Paul Omara of Otuke County member of Parliament told the president that he contributed in key areas such as ensuring sustainable peace and security, the people will vote for him overwhelmingly. "We expect you to get 80 percent in the coming election," Omara noted.

On her part, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), described President Yoweri Museveni as a champion of peace, highlighting his role not only in fostering stability within Uganda but also in promoting peace across the African continent.

Otengo added that President Museveni has pacified Uganda and the continent, and she confirmed that they have a winning candidate for the 2026 general elections.

Julius Achon, who is the district NRM chairperson and also a member of parliament, said that due to the prevailing peace in the district, the population has grown from 100,000 in 2021 to 161,000 in 2024 since Museveni’s government came into power.

Vision Group Survey

A new poll conducted by Vision Group between March and May 2025 across 45 districts and 17 sub-regions brought out voters issues, with theft, insecurity, and robbery dominating people’s concerns.

Broken down regionally, theft consistently dominated the survey in the Northern region, with the existence of theft in the area, insecurity in the community, and high rates of robbery in the area standing at 40.3%, 20.8%, and 10% respectively.

However, for Lango sub-region specifically, the poll indicated that 25.1% of respondents cited health as their top issue, 16.8% education, 13% roads, and 12% agriculture and food security.