Museveni pledges improved health, education, infrastructure reforms in Apac and Kwania

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At Booma grounds in Apac district, masses of people lined up to catch a glimpse of President Yoweri Museveni, who is the flag-bearer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the 2026 General Election. 

It was a Friday, October 3, 2025, afternoon, and the air was thick with anticipation. Multitudes of supporters, clad in the party's signature yellow, lined the dusty roads, their cheers echoing as Museveni's convoy snaked through the crowds.

President Museveni at a recent rally in Lango sub-region. (File/ Eddie Ssejjoba)

This marked Museveni's fifth rally in Lango within a week, as the 2026 general elections loom. Welcoming the president were prominent figures, including Talib Okabo, the NRM chairperson for Apac district, Vice-President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, Apac Woman MP Betty Engola, NRM secretary general Richard Todwong and Hamson Obua, the National Vice-chairperson for NRM in Northern Uganda.

Todwong, representing the NRM central executive committee (CEC), set the tone with a formal introduction. “Your Excellency, the NRM presidential flag-bearer, the people of Apac have endorsed your candidature and are ready to support you,” he declared.

“Apac District is unique, but on behalf of the NRM CEC and the Delegates Conference, I present to you the people of Apac, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the flag-bearer for the 2026 general elections,” he added.

Obua followed with passionate remarks. He urged the crowd to rally behind Museveni and NRM candidates in the upcoming polls. “Vote President Museveni, vote the NRM flag-bearers come January 2026,” Obua exhorted.

Alupo then took the stage, addressing the audience in Luo, the local language, to forge a deeper cultural connection. Following her, Anita Among delivered a spirited endorsement.

“God is good! Your Excellency, the President of Uganda, the people of Apac, we want to thank you for coming to this district,” she stated.

Among praised Museveni's inclusive leadership, noting, “The candidate we have brought you as NRM loves everybody irrespective of tribe, skin colour and religion. He loves the people of Apac so much, and to show this, Betty Amongi, who is a cabinet minister, is from this land.”

Speaker Among at one of President Museveni's campaign rally.

She reminisced about her time at Centenary Bank in the region, noting the absence of proper roads between Lira and Apac back then. “Now, there is a road,” she said.

Shifting to economic empowerment, Speaker Among contrasted traditional banking hurdles where collateral was demanded for loans with the Parish Development Model (PDM).

“Instead of going to the bank where they ask for security, now there is PDM,” she explained, highlighting its role in grassroots financing.

She also addressed local demands to candidate Museveni. “Before you came, the people here asked for a skilling hub. We told them you are going to bring it here. The people have promised to support you and are grateful for the peace and developments, including schools,” she said, and invited Museveni to speak.

Yet, it was a personal story that stole the show. Museveni spotted his old classmate from Ntare School in Mbarara, Dr Alfred Iyai, and used it as a poignant analogy for Uganda's progress.

“On social infrastructure, I have evidence here today,” Museveni said, gesturing toward Iyai. Pressing on, Museveni narrated, “My classmate and roommate at Ntare School, Dr Alfred Iyai, and other boys from Lira came to Ntare probably because there were no good schools in Northern Uganda then. At independence, the only secondary schools were Sir Samuel Baker and Teso College Aloet.”

“But now, just in Apac alone, there are seven secondary schools. Four in rural areas and three in the municipality. In 1961, there were only six secondary schools in the entire country, including Kisubi, Ntare, Budo, Namagunga, Nabisunsa, and Gayaza. Now look at how many you have even in just one district. That is evidence of development.”

Healthcare Pledges for Apac

Delving into health commitments, Museveni outlined a comprehensive plan to elevate services in Apac. With 10 of the district's 12 sub-counties already equipped with facilities ranging from Health Centre IIIs and IVs to a district hospital, he targeted the gaps.

“We shall upgrade Akere Health Centre II to a Health Centre III and construct a new Health Centre III in Akiki,” he promised. 

In Maruzi Constituency, he said an ambulance would be provided for the existing Health Centre IV, addressing the critical lack of transport despite available doctors. In Maruzi North, he pledged that Teboke Health Centre III would ascend to Health Centre IV status.

“Since you have pledged to elect me and the NRM, we shall make these upgrades,” Museveni assured the crowds.

Reflecting on the NRM's 65-year odyssey, from youth wings in older parties to the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) that helped topple Idi Amin, Museveni positioned the party as Uganda's liberator and developer.

“What is now called the NRM has been active in Uganda for the last 65 years. Initially, we were members of the old political parties as youth wingers, members of the Democratic Party (DP), the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC), and Kabaka Yekka,” he said.

Museveni explained that “But by 1965, we started seeing problems with those parties. There were issues they were missing, so we began study groups and later formed groups in universities. When Idi Amin came to power, we took up arms as FRONASA.

“So, we have been active in Uganda and Africa all these years, and our contribution can be summarised in about nine points. I went through all of them when I was in Amolatar and Dokolo. Today, I will just pick three,” he said.

Of the three points out of the nine, Museveni said the first is peace, and went on to say that those who are old enough know the history of Uganda—that it had become ungovernable.

“The main reason was the sectarian politics of tribe and religion, as well as the neglect of women, what we call gender chauvinism. Seeing that danger, we advocated for the politics of unity. That is why you hear us talking about patriotism—loving Uganda—because you need Uganda as a market for your products and also for your security,” he noted.

Health Expansions in Kwania

The rally's energy spilt over to Aduku town council in neighbouring Kwania District, where Museveni announced ambitious expansions.

“Government will construct five seed secondary schools in sub-counties and town councils without them,” he declared.

Kwania's 11 sub-counties, including three town councils, already have some schools. In health, all sub-counties boast centres but need upgrading.

“We plan to elevate all HCIIs to HCIIIs and extend electricity to those without power. In Inomo sub-county, Aninolal HCII will become HCIII; in Ayabi, we will build a new HCIII; in Kwania County, Nambieso HCIII will upgrade to HCIV with an ambulance,” he pledged.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure took centre stage too, with Museveni warning against misusing the sh1.3 billion road rehabilitation grant.

“This is for maintaining murrum roads, not opening new ones or swamps. My staff will issue directives; don't scatter the funds. We'll send separate money for swamp works,” Museveni noted.

He invoked “dongo lobo” (development in Luo), emphasising prioritised use of scarce resources, and highlighted development including tarmacked roads like Soroti-Lira, extensions to Tororo, and the ongoing Rwekunye-Apac-Aduku-Lira-Kitgum-Musingo Road.

According to Museveni, plans for a Lira-Gulu Airport link via Apala and Abim are underway, aimed at boosting the hosting of the African Cup of Nations.

The president also recounted how electricity reached remote spots like Aboke, Alito, and Baralege, and the booming education with Apac's seven secondary schools as a far cry from the independence-era scarcity.

Oil Revenues

Tying it to oil revenues, Museveni revealed that petroleum discovered under NRM will flow next year, funding more infrastructure.

“God has always been with us. Colonials failed to find oil, but our scientists succeeded.” He distinguished public development from personal wealth (“lonyo”), urging agriculture and Parish Development Model (PDM) engagement.

PDM allocates sh100 million per parish annually,” he said, sharing tales like Okello from Amolatar's sh280 million livestock earnings and Apio from Lira's sh1 million PDM investment yielding independence.

Manifesto proposals included boosting PDM to sh115 million per parish (adding sh15 million for leaders), funds for unemployed graduates, Saving and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) for religious leaders, and cultural support.

“So, I appeal to the people of Apac: please use this PDM money, as well as Emyooga and the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) program, to get out of poverty,” Museveni appealed. “We don't want spectators. Everyone must create wealth (“lonyo”).”

He praised Northern Uganda's environmental stewardship, warning against deforestation amid climate shifts.

“First of all, I want to thank Northern Uganda because you are preventing Uganda from becoming a desert. In southern Uganda, this is supposed to be the rainy season, but the rain is not strong. Yet, in Northern Uganda, I see strong rains because you are still preserving the environment. Please don’t copy the bad practices that have disturbed the people in the South, such as destroying forests and draining wetlands,” Museveni advised.

Other party leaders and voters New Vision spoke to reinforced the NRM's narrative. Lieutenant Moses Mushabe, Veterans League Chairperson, noted Lango's pivot from rebellion to NRM loyalty, saying, “The turnout shows we are on track to protect peace via Emyooga.”

“The turnout at this rally shows that NRM is on the right track,” he said, crediting programs like Emyooga and calling on veterans to protect peace gains.

Otim Bernard, Maruzi North NRM flag bearer and retired police superintendent, praised road improvements, wealth creation, and healthcare advancements, urging voters to back NRM in 2026.

On her part, Betty Engola, Apac's Woman Member of Parliament, celebrated the completion of the Masindi Port-Aduku-Lira-Acholi road, renovations to five health centres this year, and the expansion of seed schools. She expressed optimism about enhanced PDM funds for the next term.

PDM Impact on Households

Several local leaders recounted how the Parish Development Model (PDM) has had a significant impact on Apac and Kwania.

In Apac District, with 54 parishes, shillings 10.56 billion have been disbursed to 12,513 households.

Apac Municipal Council, with 20 parishes, has disbursed sh6.14 billion to 6,141 households. Collectively, the district and municipality have received sh16.7 billion, transforming 18,654 households.

In Kwania, with 49 parishes, shillings 15.12 billion has been disbursed to 21,593 households. With 27,249 of Kwania’s 48,861 households in the subsistence economy, PDM has been instrumental in transitioning families toward the money economy, according to Engola.

Education Milestones

Apac District boasts 52 government primary schools and four government secondary schools, all offering Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET).

Apac Municipal Council has 11 primary and three secondary schools with similar programs. In Kwania, 29 government primary schools serve 106,119 learners, while seven secondary schools enrol 4,031 students under USE and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET).

Infrastructure development has been a flagship achievement. The Apac-Lira-Puranga road (100km) and Rwenkunye-Apac road (91km) have improved connectivity.

The Lira-Kitgum road and the Masindi-Lira-Kitgum connection were also lauded by NRM General Secretary Richard Todwong as signs of development.

Todwong said the construction of Akii Bua Stadium further underscores the government’s commitment to the region’s growth.

Challenges Persist

A Vision Group survey of 6,006 Ugandans of voting age conducted between March and May 2025, across 45 districts and 17 sub-regions found that theft, insecurity and robbery-related issues were some of the major issues that voters in the Northern region want to be addressed.

These dominant issues stood at 41%, 28%, and 7.5% respectively. In Lango subregion, 4.9% cited corruption in security services as a major problem. 

Benson Ruma asked the president to fulfil the pledged he made in Kwania 19 years ago. “In 2006, Museveni pledged to donate the bus to Ikwera Girls SS after a school truck, a Tata Lorry Reg. No. UG 0753G which was being used to transport soldiers for training to Ibuje sub-county in Apac District, broke down but up to now we haven't seen the bus. This pledge and others he made should be fulfilled,” he said.

Capt. (Rtd) Rufino Akena said the government should allow people living near the lakes access to fishing. “Fishing used to help young people earn money to pay school fees and support their families. Now that the youth are denied access to the lakes, families are breaking apart, children are dropping out of school, and crime among the youth has increased,” he said.

In Apoi, Akokoro Sub-county, a non-operational dam hinders irrigation amid erratic rains. “We need the water to be extended to our gardens for irrigation to help us cope with the irregular rainfall pattern,” she said.

Joyce Otim, 88, thanked the president for the Rwenkunye-Apac-Kwania-Lira-Puranga-Acholibur road, which is still under construction, but urged fixes for feeder roads.

“We are grateful for this road; however, other roads within Apac also need urgent attention because they are in a poor state,” she said.

President Museveni with Lango voters.

President Museveni in a group photo with Lango voters.

War Debt Compensation

Since the 2021/2022 financial year, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has disbursed sh136.24 billion to 24,580 claimants in the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions as part of war debt compensation.

Ronny Ogwang, a resident of Atuma village, Acaba Parish in Nambieso sub-county, wants the president to address the slow progress of cattle compensation.

“We lost our cattle during the insurgencies that caused havoc to many families, but as we talk now, only a few families have been compensated. Government should expedite the process of paying back the cows if possible before the 2026 general elections, “he said.

In Lango, 10,549 beneficiaries have received sh43.02 billion, providing closure to historical grievances and fostering reconciliation. 

Museveni concluded by appealing for votes for himself, “the old man with the hat” and NRM flag bearers.

“That is the NRM manifesto we have handed to your leaders, who will bring these documents to your parish meetings. I appeal to the people of Apac: Vote NRM. Vote for the NRM flag bearers. Vote the old man with the hat,” he said.

How Apac voted in 2021 General Elections

Registered Voters: 88,834

1. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; 61.07%

2. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu; 31.55%

3. Patrick Amuriat Oboi; 2.84%

How Kwania voted in 2021 General Elections

Registered Voters: 87,587

1. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; 68.38%

2. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu; 24.52%

3. Patrick Amuriat Oboi; 1.87%