NRM's Museveni campaign in Dokolo: Residents voice key priorities

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is Wednesday expected to address the people of Dokolo district in Lango sub-region as part of his presidential campaign trail. 

He began his day with a rally in Amolatar district as he continued his push across Lango, a ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) stronghold that the party is seeking to retain ahead of the 2026 general elections.

President Yoweri Museveni posing with a spear and shield gifted to him by Ocen William the cultural leader of Inomo clan (right), left is Molly Adero Ogwok, chairperson women council Amolator district. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

In Dokolo, anticipation was high. Residents and local leaders said they were eager to hear how the President planned to address pressing community concerns, from education and infrastructure to wealth creation and health care.

Janet Adongo, the NRM flagbearer for Woman Member of Parliament in Dokolo North, said the biggest priority remains education and skilling. 

“We have so many children dropping out of school. We need a skilling hub for those who do not continue with formal education. For the many jobless university graduates, the government should provide startup loans so they can go into business. The Amolatar–Dokolo road also needs urgent attention. It has been promised for a long time, but it remains undone,” she said.

Amb. Paul Amoru, Uganda’s envoy to South Africa, echoed the call for economic empowerment. 

He said that while the Lango sub-region had suffered setbacks due to past conflicts, such as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, progress under the NRM government has been evident. 

“We now have schools, hospitals, and programmes like Emyooga that are helping to lift people out of poverty. The President has laid a strong foundation, but in his next term, he should focus on wealth creation at the village level,” he said.

For Joseph Jones Ogwal, the NRM flag bearer for Dokolo North, education and grassroots empowerment are urgent. 

“The progression rate in primary education is very low, and we also have a serious challenge of child mothers who need targeted interventions. Young people must also be supported in sports, while land security remains a big issue because Lango sits on swamplands at the base of Lake Kyoga. Without secure land tenure, food security will remain at risk,” Ogwal observed.

Dokolo North MP Moses Ogwal pointed to steady progress but pressed for more.

“Livelihoods are improving, especially through Parish Development Model funds. But we must now move to value addition. Our industrial parks need at least shillings 1.5 billion to boost industrialisation. We have seen health centres improve, but more infrastructure development is needed," he said.

Denis Ogwal from Agwata town council spoke of gaps in service delivery. “Our schools are underperforming, fishing communities are struggling with harassment, and some people are not accessing PDM funds. The next government must ensure that no one is left behind."

Meanwhile, Patricia Aceng, a parliamentary hopeful, called for urgent investment in health and agriculture.

Patricia Aceng who is a parliamentary hopeful. (Courtesy)

“Village health teams deserve modest salaries and better equipment. Many health centres remain understaffed. At the same time, poverty in this region is still high, and agriculture remains our backbone," she said.

"We need agro-processing industries to add value to our products. Poverty alleviation programmes like PDM and Emyooga must be properly monitored for real impact. Above all, road infrastructure in Lango still lags behind, and the next government should prioritize tarmacking our key routes."

As Museveni’s motorcade made its way from Amolatar to Dokolo, the political mood in the sub-region was one of cautious optimism. 

(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Hon. Dr Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs charging up the crowd as they await President Museveni to arrive for the rally.(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

While residents acknowledged the strides made in security, education, and poverty alleviation under the NRM government, they were also clear-eyed about the gaps that remain.

The President was expected to use his address in Dokolo to reassure voters that the NRM’s 2026–2031 manifesto will not only consolidate past gains but also deliver tangible improvements in roads, health services, youth empowerment, and industrialisation.