Museveni takes vote hunt to Adjumani, Amuru as residents table demands

ADJUMANI - Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni is today (October 20) taking his vote chase to the districts of Adjumani and Amuru, which are known as the gateways to South Sudan.

Museveni, the cowboy hat-wearing leader, is standing on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket for the 2026 General Election.

By press time, the President was scheduled to hold his first campaign event of the day at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani town council and the second rally at Pabo Primary School playground in Pabo town council, Amuru.

In the last general election, Museveni got 35,125 (75.67%) votes in Adjumani and 18,742 (53.52%) in Amuru, while his main rival, Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform party, garnered 7,866 (16.94%) in Adjumani and 7,466 (21.32%) in Amuru.

Adjumani is one of the major refugee-hosting districts in Uganda, and the refugees are mainly from South Sudan.

Adjumani has had a history of hosting refugees since 1968, and over 57 years, the refugee and asylum seeker population has increased substantially, accounting for almost the same size as the local population.

There are 231,483 refugees and 300,590 nationals.

However, this large number has caused a significant strain on social services, according to district leaders.

Despite the challenges, Richard Edema, the principal chief administrative officer, says they have benefited from some interventions, such as the European Union-funded roads.

Analysts say Adjumani has great potential as an investment location, which the Government is committed to unlocking through prioritised and strategic infrastructure development covering transport, energy, ICT and water for production.

Majority of the people in Adjumani and Amuru are occupied in peasant farming, including crop and livestock farming.

Most farmers are smallholders who grow both cash and food crops. The crops grown include maize, beans, millet, simsim and cassava, among others. 

Amuru residents' wishlist

Within Amuru district, voters’ demands range from the demands of new local government units such as Apaa district, the need to upgrade of health centres and the fulfilment of pledges.

The need to pave major roads connecting Amuru to other areas, is the other demand voters have tabled.

According to Michael Lakony, the LC5 chairperson of Amuru district, Awer-Rhino Camp road via Amuru town council that connects Amuru and Arua districts, is one of the major roads that needs to be fixed.

“The road is in bad condition, yet it is the highway which can ease movement between these two districts,” he said.

On healthcare, Lakony said Labongo Gali Health Centre III should be upgraded to Health Centre IV to serve the population of Kilak South County.

“The health centre is overwhelmed by the number of patients getting the service there, but some services are not offered by Health Centre III. So, it needs to be upgraded,” he said.

Within the education sector, Lakony said the Government should increase the budget for building new classroom blocks to bridge the gaps in school infrastructure within Amuru.

Lakony added that 27 community schools should be turned into government-aided schools to serve the district.

“Most of the government schools in Amuru are along Gulu-Elegu highway. These schools are in poor state with no permanent structures, high numbers of pupils and few qualified teachers, yet they are the main schools in rural areas,” he said.