Museveni and Kyagulanyi began early campaign tours across Karamoja sub-region today

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.

Both districts are located in the north-eastern part of Uganda, and the majority of the people depend on agriculture as a means of livelihood. However, many of the households are still engaged in subsistence farming as a source of livelihood.

Muntu vowed to create a regulatory body and enforce the way moneylenders handle their businesses with fixed lending rates.

Kyagulanyi says he was deeply moved by the show of love and support from residents, despite the region’s long-standing challenges of poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment.

Museveni campaigned in Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk, Kyagulanyi in Abim and Kotido, while Muntu reached voters in Kabarole.

The UPC leader revealed that while at his ancestral home, Kyagulanyi also took time to lay a wreath on the grave of Akena’s late father and former president of Uganda, Dr Apollo Milton Obote, a gesture he described as “deeply symbolic.”

Amudat has a population of 203,358 people scattered across the 11 sub-counties/town councils, 44 parishes and 415 villages.

President Museveni credited peace in the region to the NRM’s politics of unity, which avoided sectarianism.

Previously, the former army commander, using Ogoniland in Nigeria as a textbook example, pointed out that without safe hands like his, it is highly likely that Ugandans will get a raw deal. Already, he contends that the Government, which has failed to manage the few resources cannot be trusted with a bigger amount.   

President Museveni is expected to hold his first campaign event of the day at Lomugura Primary School playground in Kotido town council at midday, before proceeding to Naitakwae Boma Grounds in Moroto for the second and final rally. 

Museveni, Kyagulanyi, Mafabi intensify nationwide campaigns across Uganda.

Kyagulanyi revealed that while in Lango, he would not seek Akena’s political endorsement because he respected UPC’s legacy

The presidential hopeful made the pledge during his campaign rally at Ikwera Primary School Playground in Aduku town council, Kwania District, on Saturday, accusing the NRM of promoting disunity in the country intentionally. 

Relatedly, Nandala, the 2026 FDC presidential candidate, said that he expects a block vote from those two regions because the government neglected them.

Nandala also vowed to revive cotton growing in Serere district, saying it was once a major cash crop in the area. He noted that the decline of cotton production led to poverty and unemployment among farmers and pledged to work with stakeholders to revitalise the sector.

Museveni, Kyagulanyi, Mafabi, and Muntu intensify campaigns across Uganda

Karamoja, located in northern Uganda has long been one of the county’s most underdeveloped regions. Despite being rich in natural resources including gold, oil and fertile lands, Karamoja has struggled with poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure.

Nandala expressed his frustration over Police and army interference while they diverted him on his way to Nakapiripirit, in Morukaajore National Park, Nadunget, in Namalu, and near Moroto Municipality where he spent more than four hours till late.

A case being in Kasambya town council, Mubende district on October 17, 2025, where the party’s District Woman Member of Parliament (MP) Yudaya Nakatudde after shouting herself articulating policy issues, invited one of Muntu's supporters, Swabul Bukenya, to say a few words. Only for him to forget her name.

A case being in Kasambya town council, Mubende district on October 17, 2025, where the party’s District Woman Member of Parliament (MP) Yudaya Nakatudde after shouting herself articulating policy issues, invited one of Muntu's supporters, Swabul Bukenya, to say a few words. Only for him to forget her name.

Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential flag bearer, Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, held rallies in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi, while Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Nandala Mafabi, campaigned in Namayingo and Bugiri.

Presenting the district-specific issues, during Museveni's campaign rally at Geya primary school playgrounds in Yumbe district on Thursday, the district leaders said, one of the pressing issues of the district is unemployment and high levels of poverty.

The musician-turned-politician was campaigning in Busia on Friday, as he concluded his tour of Bukedi and part of Bugisu in his bid to become Uganda’s next president.

Kyagulanyi acknowledged the widespread frustration among citizens over what many see as unfair past elections but encouraged them to remain steadfast and engaged in democratic processes.

Here's the day's pictorial round-up of the presidential campaign trails of ANT's Muntu in Kalungu, Lukaya, and Butambala, and FDC's Mafabi in Butaleja and Tororo.

Museveni highlighted the good things the NRM has done, including restoring peace in the region, building roads connecting the region to neighbouring countries such as DR Congo, universal schools and hospitals.

Mucureezi intimated that his political bromance started with the New Formation, a pressure group led by Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, who had just severed ties with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) following a heated presidential election.

Back on the campaign trail in Nebbi as he seeks re-election, Museveni and his wife, Janet, rallied the people to vote for peace by electing the NRM at all levels "to enable us to continue with our path to achieving a high-income middle status".

The NRM presidential frontrunner spoke about infrastructural projects, noting that his government has successfully constructed roads, including the one from Karuma to Koboko.

The First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, accompanied the president. 

Museveni, who is seeking reelection, emphasised the party's unmatched history of delivering peace, stability, and economic transformation amid a field of eight candidates.

​Kyagulanyi said that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is responsible for many potential jobs being lost due to endemic corruption, noting, "they are stealing 10 million trillion."

The Oyam event marks Museveni’s seventh rally in Lango, a region that has warmly embraced his campaign, while the Pakwach rally will mark his first expedition into the West Nile region as the election season gains momentum.

Four-time presidential candidate Besigye is battling charges of treason after his arrest in Nairobi last year.

“There is a boy called Odonga Otto in Acholi there, he owes me a cow. He has to give me a cow; otherwise, I will take him to court because he insulted me. He thought he was praising me, but actually it was an insult.”

President Museveni said that in the last 65 years, he had had no debt with anybody and had never let anybody down. Instead, he said he had been let down and tricked by many people.

Under Section 27(1) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 179, “except as authorised under this Act, or authorised by law, a person shall not use Government resources for the purpose of campaigning for any candidate, Party or organisation in an election.”

At Akura trading centre in Alebtong district, Kyagulanyi pledged to prioritise the rehabilitation of rural roads if elected President in next year’s polls.

“We have now decided to write to EC to reschedule because there are some free days we have in January and December, and we will be able to reschedule those two districts,” he said.

Preliminary findings indicate that the group suspected the vehicle to be carrying a signal jammer interfering with their online communication systems, according to Okema.

From Lango, West Nile, Busoga, Bugisu, Rwenzori, Bunyoro to Karamoja, the contenders are covering ground, each seeking to convince Ugandans ahead of the January 15, 2026, general election.

Speaking during his campaign rally at Lomukura Primary School in Kotido Municipality on Monday, October 27, the President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, thanked residents for supporting government efforts to restore stability through disarmament.

"As FDC, we want a united country. Right now, our country is divided on tribal lines, sectarianism and jobs given out to selected classes of people, education gaps between the poor and the rich, and this must come to an end," he said. 

“Coffee is a symbolic name for Nandala. I made your coffee to gain value through the Bugisu Cooperative Union. By then, coffee was at shillings 4000 and it increased to 12,000. Now, it is at 18,000,” he says.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said officers deployed across the country are in constant communication with their commanders to ensure that political events remain orderly.

“I have two children, I pay shillings 200,000 per term in primary. From time to time, they ask us five kilogrammes of beans, maize, and toilet paper. It is better to take one’s children to private schools. And Museveni is not the problem, but MPs [Members of Parliament] are to blame,” Kabeni says.

“If he is a man who is calm and independent, vote for him. If he were Movement, I wouldn’t have done so,” Muntu told area residents.

Among called upon all residents to embrace the party’s strategy and ideological ideas by consolidating the existing gains, noting that more is being planned for them.

“I want to thank God for the work of the NRM in Uganda. When I see this huge crowd, I feel very happy. Even in Karenga and Abim, where I was yesterday, I saw large turnouts. In 1980, when I was campaigning, the population of Karamoja was 190,000, but now Kaabong alone has 260,000 people."

Speaking to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally today at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School in Karenga District, President Museveni reflected on the challenges, achievements and future plans for the area.

“Police has not mistreated our people,” Kyagulanyi said. “Except for the unfortunate incident where three of our supporters were knocked by police cars, the rest of the campaign has been smooth."

“The NRM felt very sad for the suffering of the Karimojong. In Nakapiripirit (district), there was a woman who had been married to nine husbands and they had all died in war. That is why the NRM said the gun must get out of the population and we removed 41, 000 guns from Karamoja,” Museveni said.

President Museveni noted on Friday (October 24) that this peace was restored through the efforts of their strong army and the unity fostered by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

In Agago, Museveni told supporters at Paul Lokech Memorial Grounds: "I am here to ask for your support, to share the achievements of the NRM, and to present the plans we have for this nation.”

"Namisindwa district has the worst road network, yet they are known for producing enough food that goes to urban areas, including Kampala city, but it has been neglected for 40 years," he said on his campaign trail.

"The army has already stopped war. There will be no war in Uganda," he said.

The President told the Press in Gulu on Thursday night that the country achieved its most democratic credentials on account of electing the greatest number of citizens for different elective positions from grassroots to the highest office of the President.

“You are smart, informed, educated, and connected. Use your TikTok, your Facebook, and your WhatsApp to teach others why voting matters.”

The two aforementioned districts, which formed part of Greater Kabarole are situated in Toro sub-region. 

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party presidential candidate will later hold his second and last rally of the day in Abim, marking the start of his campaign trail in the Karamoja sub-region.

“The problem is that people try to do everything at the same time. That is not how the NRA works. If you cannot do all things at the same time, ask yourself what comes first. For me, I recommend defense so that you are safe, then roads, electricity, and education. The rest can come after."

After being nominated, Tayebwa promised to focus on economic transformation and turn the whole area around into a model constituency. 

Speaking ahead of his campaign rallies in Buliisa and Masindi on Thursday, October 23, Kyagulanyi said that while NUP was founded on the principles of justice, equality, and good governance, some individuals viewed it merely as a shortcut to power and political office.

Nandala made the promise during a campaign rally on October 22, 2025, at Kadungulu landing site in Serere district, emphasising that the UPDF's presence on the lakes has been a major concern for fishermen and other stakeholders.

Addressing a rally at Pabbo Primary School in Amuru district on Monday, October 20, the President said the initiative had already begun but was slowed by court cases and administrative hurdles. 

The President commended the people of Terego for supporting the NRM. He, however, said that in order to uplift their livelihoods, they need to shift their focus toward wealth creation.

In particular, he promised the people of Maracha that come next term if they vote him back in office, he will work on the vital roads that are a big challenge not only to the people in the district, but even other areas in Northern Uganda.

"They come here and sprinkle money. Then you go with that one, and yet you are aware he or she is a con man," he pointed. 

Kaaya, who was on her way elsewhere, spared minutes to exchange pleasantries with the former commander before the rally.

Rugambwa appealed to the radio presenters, social media influencers and content creators to ensure that the NRM’s significant achievements are well understood by the public in western Uganda.