Preparations to welcome Museveni in Arua city in high gear
Ahead of the visit, the residents expect the head of state to address some of the pressing issues the city and region have been grappling with.
Minister Evelyn Anite and the mobilisers touring Arua City ahead of the President's visit. (Photos by Robert Adiga)
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Arua city is gradually turning into a yellow city as President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the flag bearer of the National Resistance Movement party, is expected to address a campaign rally in Arua City in the afternoon.
The President, who started the West Nile campaign trail late last week, is today, October 13, 2025, expected to address rallies in Madi Okollo in the morning before addressing a joint rally for Arua district and the city in the afternoon.
Ahead of the visit, the residents expect the head of state to address some of the pressing issues the city and region have been grappling with.
As the clock is fast ticking towards the president’s arrival, Arua city is increasingly turning yellow with beehive activities by NRM supporters, leaders and pressure groups aimed at a historic welcome into the city long known for supporting opposition.
Fatuma Candiru, the only female bodaboda rider in Arua city, commended the president for the initiatives to support their industry, including the shillings 50 million fund for their SACCO under Arua Municipality and Tipper Lorry, urging the President to extend the support he has been rendering to other regions as well in Westnile and Arua City in particular.
Kubra Swaleh, a resident of Ociba coast, who is contesting as a female councillor for Ayivu Division on the Democratic Party ticket, joined in welcoming the President as she urged the President to address the impasse between the government and teachers leading to non-teaching in schools.
“Many of us cannot afford private schools, and our children are now home, so the president should address the issue of teachers, and he should start the SACCO for us as the widows in the city,” Ajidiru said.
Likewise, Loyce Ajidiru, a resident of Arua city, wants the President to form and support a SACCO for widows in the city and also to consider the plea of the primary teachers, as it is affecting the education of the parents who cannot afford private schools.
Samuel Odipio, a 75-year-old retired headteacher in Arua city, lauded the President for the steady leadership he provides as he calls for equitable distribution of resources, employment opportunities and development of West Nile.
“We want the president to pronounce West Nile as a full region and redistribute resources such that all the regions develop the same, and also West Nile being the second poorest to Karamoja when we have Muni University, NTC Muni and other institutions with very many first-class degrees but no jobs, there should be equity in job allocation," Odipio said.