Museveni hails improved water access, praises NRM’s transformative achievements

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed delight over the remarkable improvement in water access across Nakapiripirit District.

He described it as proof of how the National Resistance Movement (NRM)'s long-term investments in infrastructure are transforming lives in Karamoja.

Speaking during a campaign rally at Namboole II Grounds in Nakapiripirit yesterday, President Museveni, who is also the NRM Presidential flag bearer, said he was impressed to learn that 82% of villages in the district now have access to safe water, one of the highest coverage levels in the subregion.

“I was looking at water coverage, and I’m happy to see that Nakapiripirit is doing well. Out of 209 villages, 172 have access to water. This 82% is very good. Some districts like Amudat and Abim are still lower, but we shall study why and address it,” said President Museveni, who was in the company of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.

President Museveni addressing the campaign rally in Nakapiripirit. (PPU)

He noted that the progress reflects the government’s deliberate effort to provide economic and social infrastructure to all corners of Uganda, especially previously marginalised regions.

Under the NRM government’s Water for Production initiative, he mentioned that several major facilities have been completed in Nakapiripirit, including the Aooyalet Valley Tank in Loregae sub-county with a capacity of 40 million litres, and the Komaret Valley Tank in Moruita holding 20 million litres.

“Four additional valley tanks, Karengeze, Lomogol, Lokitela-Alokwa, and Lomosomoso, as well as a wind-powered abstraction system, have also been completed,” he said.

Looking ahead, the President revealed that the government is finalising plans for the Namalu Large Scale Irrigation Scheme, which will store 11.8 billion litres of water and irrigate up to 750 hectares under Phase One.

“These are the kinds of interventions that ensure water is not just for drinking but for production to support farming and livestock,” the President said.

President Museveni emphasised that the NRM’s development philosophy rests on building economic and social infrastructure to create the foundation for wealth creation.

He pointed out that Nakapiripirit has benefited from new roads, electricity connections, and telecommunication networks that have opened up the area to trade and services.

Among key road projects completed in the district are Namalu–Nakapiripirit (17 km), Akisim–Moroto–Lokitanyala (92 km), and the ongoing Muyembe–Nakapiripirit (92 km) road upgrade.

“These roads are not just for decoration; they are for the movement of goods, services, and people. They are the arteries of the economy,” he said.

On social infrastructure, the President highlighted the construction of schools and health centres to bring essential services closer to the people.

“Nakapiripirit currently has 27 government primary schools and seven government secondary schools, while the Ministry of Health is upgrading several lower-level facilities to Health Centre IIIs and IVs to improve service delivery,” he said.

NRM supporter in Nakapiripirit came in large number to listen to the president's campaign address. (PPU)

Turning to household income, President Museveni called on the people of Nakapiripirit to embrace commercial agriculture and enterprise development, saying that wealth creation must begin at the homestead.

He cited examples like Hon. Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transport, who earns over sh55 million per month from poultry farming, as proof that agriculture can be highly profitable when approached commercially.

“Please listen carefully to the NRM message. Plan number one is commercial agriculture. From there, we go to manufacturing and then services, including digital. These are the pillars that will transform Uganda,” he said.

He also praised the impact of the Presidential Zonal Industrial Hubs, where youth are acquiring practical skills for self-employment.

Gloria Nayol, a beneficiary from Napak Industrial Hub, shared her story of how a tailoring course changed her life.

“After completing my training, I started my own small business with friends. We later received sh50 million through the Graduate SACCO. We are buying materials and expanding. Thank you, President Museveni, for supporting us,” she said.

Karamoja is Home

On her part, Maama Janet described her visit to Nakapiripirit as a “homecoming,” expressing gratitude for the warmth and progress she witnessed in the region.

President Museveni with the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, while addressing the rally in Nakapiripirit. (PPU)

“Coming to Karamoja is always a homecoming for me. I thank you for the traditional love and warmth of the Karamoja people that I cherish so much,” she said.

Maama Janet noted that the transformation in Karamoja from insecurity and hunger to stability and productivity reflects God’s grace and the NRM’s commitment to inclusive development.

“The new generation of Karamoja must live in better houses, have better food and livelihoods. Karamoja has always been a blessing to me. God bless Karamoja, and God bless Uganda,” she added.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, who also serves as the NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), commended the government for improving social services in the subregion.

Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, was in attendance in Nakapiripirit for the president's campaign rally.

She particularly praised the district’s new mobile laboratory and the modern emergency units at Moroto Hospital, describing them as life-saving facilities that reflect tangible progress.

“When you see the road from Mbale–Muyembe–Nakapiripirit, it is one of the best roads. We have security, development, and a conducive environment to create wealth. We thank you, Mzee, for your leadership,” she said.

Mr Lochap Daniel Matovu, the NRM Chairperson for Nakapiripirit, said residents remain firmly behind President Museveni, citing the district’s 94.8% support in the 2021 elections.

He said Nakapiripirit’s progress under NRM, from education and health to water and roads, is visible and unmatched.

According to district data, Nakapiripirit has 9 sub-counties, 35 parishes, and 209 villages with a population of 111,681 people.

Through the Parish Development Model, the district has received sh10.5 billion, benefiting over 10,300 households.

Under Emyooga, 35 SACCOs with 8,635 members have received sh1.78 billion to support small enterprises.

“We are determined to protect these gains as we move towards achieving middle-income status,” Mr Matovu said.

As the campaign rally concluded, President Museveni urged the people of Nakapiripirit to stay on the course with the NRM, assuring them that the government will continue expanding infrastructure and wealth creation programs to uplift every household.

“What we have done here in Nakapiripirit shows what happens when people and the government work together. Let’s continue building on these foundations,” he said.

Meanwhile, the campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, As We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”.

President Museveni and the First Lady, Janet Museveni, joined for a group photo by NRM flag bearers in Nakapiripirit district. (PPU)

The event was graced by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.