Muntu outlines plan to turn West Nile into manufacturing hub

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Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate Maj. Gen. (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu has outlined plans to transform the West Nile region into a manufacturing hub, targeting markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.

Muntu, who is also an ex-army commander, unleashed his vision during a campaign rally at Amvuawa cell, Ombokoro parish, Ayivu division in Arua city with the aim to leverage West Nile's strategic location, abundant resources and existing infrastructure to drive economic growth.

“West Nile no longer grows tobacco, cotton or coffee so fighting poverty in a region needs a government with a deliberate plan to strategically start with arranging farmers in organised clusters to access cheap credit and invest in commercial farming,” Muntu said on December 31, 2025.

According to Muntu, there is nothing as dangerous as people to feel excluded from the development of the country, and that’s why 'we have come up with a plan to turn Arua city into one of the manufacturing hubs in West Nile as an upcoming city'.

“We shall harness the power of collective bargaining through forming co-operative unions with an agricultural bank to provide farmers in the whole country with cheap credit,” Muntu promised.

ANT party does plan not just to address poverty in the region but also to address food insecurity and political security, which is a time ‘bomb’ waiting to explode due to a lack of government will to address challenges that affect ordinary citizens.

“We shall empower you to invest in agro-processing, manufacturing, real estate, and tourism, capitalising on West Nile's rich resources, including grains, cassava, fruits, coffee, cotton, and tobacco farmers. The region is also suited for ventures in oil and gas, logistics, mining, and fishing,” Muntu said.

West Nile, comprising 13 administrative units, boasts a local population of 3.9 million and access to regional markets, but has a poor transport network, which we hope to streamline when you vote us in power in January 2026.

“I will turn Arua city into an industrial hub centre for the West Nile region to employ the youth and women and provide cheap credit for those engaging in business for survival,” he noted.

There is no way an individual farmer can invest in a factory of let's say, squeezing oil out of sunflower or sim-sim when he or she is not organised in any co-operative union to access cheap credit or competitive markets.

ANT flag-bearer for Arua Central Division Member of Parliament (MP) seat and former Arua Municipality MP Kassiano Wadri promised to address land wrangles in Arua city divisions. Wadri's pledge aims to tackle land conflicts, promote tenure security, and empower communities.

Speaking during a rally at Bazar ward, central division in Mbale city, Wadri highlighted West Nile's challenges, including youth unemployment and limited access to healthcare.

Kassiano emphasised the need for responsible leadership, condemning political violence and the practice of ferrying supporters by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

Wadri's plan involves expanding vocational skills training, decentralising skilling centres, and promoting community-centred governance. He also stressed Uganda's obligations under the Abuja Declaration to increase investment in healthcare.

“In Arua, land conflicts persist, with encroachers occupying government land at Ombaci Satellite Station. Over 8,000 people need security on their land, and we pledge that under the ANT government, we shall fight for the land rights for the common man,” Kassiano noted.