NRM's Museveni urges Lango to guard gains of liberation and devt

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National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flagbearer and the incumbent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on Thursday (October 2) urged the people of Lango to defend the gains of peace, unity, and development in the northern sub-region.

He was addressing thousands of supporters at his presidential campaign rally at Alebtong Primary School in Alebtong district in Lango. Museveni, seeking re-election, is running his campaign under the theme: 'Protecting the gains, making a qualitative leap into high middle-income status'.

He reminded the people of Lango of the painful past marked by war, displacement, and cattle raids, and rallied them to secure the future through the continued leadership of the NRM.

The region once torn by dictatorial brutality, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, and endless insecurity is now standing on the foundation of peace and development secured under the leadership of Museveni, who said the NRM message is not new but rooted in a 65-year journey of liberation, unity, peace, and development.

“My message to you is already in the manifesto, but the message of the NRM goes back almost 65 years, from the 1960s when we were still in the students’ movement.

“We were in all parties — UPC, Kabaka Yekka — until we saw the problems of Uganda and started designing solutions. So, you can say that for the last 65 years, NRM with Uganda and Africa has been about liberation, unity, peace, and development.”

'Everyone is valuable'

The President reminded Ugandans that NRM has always opposed sectarianism, dictatorship, and divisionism, citing the UPC-Kabaka Yekka alliance of the 1960s and Idi Amin’s regime in the 1970s.

“When DP and UPC divided the UNLF between 1979 and 1980, we opposed Idi Amin because we wanted unity. That is how NRM took charge, and since that time, you have never heard of one tribe massacring another in the army. Even those who were not with us, we brought them peacefully to our side,” he said.

The NRM national chairman emphasized that unity remains central to the ruling party's vision.

“We don’t believe in the division of tribes or religion or in looking down upon women or the youth. Everyone is valuable. In 1962, Uganda had only three women in Parliament, yet women are 50% of the population. We have since changed that.”

On peace and security, Museveni attributed Uganda’s stability to the discipline of the UPDF. “We have a disciplined army. We don’t look at bribes, tribes, or religion. We ask 'Are you a good soldier?' That is why every district contributes recruits, and that is why we have peace now."

On development and wealth creation, the President highlighted infrastructure achievements and promised more roads in Lango and Karamoja. “When we came into government, even without enough money, we worked on the Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini Road. Today, we are completing Rwenkunyu Masindi Port Apac Lira Puranga and soon we shall work on Lira Aloi Apala Alebtong Abim."

He also talked about Uganda’s oil.

“It was NRM that discovered Uganda’s oil after the British failed from 1920 to 1956. Once production starts, Uganda will earn an extra two billion US dollars (6.9 trillion shillings) annually. If you elect me, I will not allow that money to be wasted on whiskey and perfumes. It will go to roads, railways, electricity, and schools.”

Listing achievements specific to Alebtong, Museveni pointed to expanded electricity coverage, improved roads, government schools, and access to programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and Youth and Women Funds.

“On electricity, Alebtong didn’t have electricity before NRM. Even Kitgum, Moroto, Kaboong, Ntungamo, Kabale didn’t have electricity, but you can see it now. On telephones, when NRM came to government, we had 23,000 telephone lines only, today we have 28 million telephones.

“Despite limited resources, NRM has delivered tangible services because Museveni has been around fighting Lakwena, the LRA cattle rustlers, and many others. I know these parts.  If anyone claims NRM will not deliver, ask them who has built Rwenkunyu Apac Lira Puranga now almost reaching Kitgum,” said the President.

On education, he said: “Alebtong has 76 government UPE schools, and 106,244 pupils. The primary schools are many, the parish primary schools are 42, the ones without are 27, so that is a challenge, but we shall work on it."

On agriculture, Museveni celebrated the success of Ugandans who embraced commercial farming such as Byamukama who earns 55 million shillings a month from poultry.

“At independence, only 9% of Ugandans were in the money economy. By 2013, it was 32%, today, it is 67%. The remaining 33% must join. In this kisanja (2026-2031 term), we shall ensure all Ugandans enter the money economy through the agriculture industry and services.”

'We are with you'

The Speaker of Parliament and NRM second national vice-chairperson, Anita Annet Among, praised Museveni as the candidate who has given Ugandans hope.

“No leader ever thought of giving money directly to village people, but President Museveni has done it through PDM.  We thank you for restoring peace in Northern Uganda and for bringing unity to this region. We shall forever be indebted to you, and we are going to give you the vote," she said.

NRM secretary general Richard Todwong, also stressed the party’s focus on the daily lives of Ugandans. “NRM is about your homes, your hospitals, your schools, your children attend, and the roads you use. We are with you."

The Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua, called on the people of Alebtong to rally behind Museveni. “Your Excellency, you know where we are, where we came from, and where we are going. I ask my people to support President Museveni, and we shall not regret."

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