President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Maama Janet Museveni on Monday drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters to the Arua Golf Course Grounds, where they rallied the people of West Nile to stand firm behind the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for continued peace, unity, and development.
Warmly received by cheering residents from across the region, President Museveni praised Ugandans for embracing the NRM’s vision, saying the party had transformed the country from one plagued by division and instability into a peaceful and progressive nation.
“One of NRM’s greatest achievements since 1986 has been restoring peace and stability throughout Uganda,” Museveni said, emphasizing that unity and merit-based governance have been key to building strong national institutions such as the army, police, and civil service.
Rejecting sectarian politics based on tribe or religion, Museveni reminded supporters that the NRM has always promoted inclusivity.
“We built a national party that unites Ugandans regardless of tribe, religion, or gender that’s why we always win in the first round,” he noted.
Highlighting strides in education, the President pointed out that Arua District and Arua City now boast 120 government primary schools and 16 government secondary schools , a remarkable leap from the early 1960s when no A-Level school existed in northern or eastern Uganda.
He also recounted introducing Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1996 and Universal Secondary Education (USE) to make education accessible to every Ugandan child.
“My intention was to ensure free education in government schools. Despite challenges, we have remained committed to that goal,” he said.
On youth empowerment, Museveni said his government’s skilling programs including State House Skilling Hubs — were designed to equip young people with practical skills for self-employment and wealth creation.
“This is serious business ,we are preparing our youth for a productive future,” he stressed.
The President further underscored the NRM’s focus on building both economic and social infrastructure, citing major investments in roads, electricity, schools, and hospitals as the backbone of national development.
“Development has two sides economic and social. You can’t grow the economy without education, health, and security,” Museveni said.
First Lady Maama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Arua for their unwavering support and urged them to continue safeguarding the peace and unity the country enjoys under the NRM.
The Arua rally is part of President Museveni’s ongoing nationwide tour under the theme “ProtectingTheGains” , aimed at consolidating NRM’s achievements and mobilizing Ugandans for continued socio-economic transformation.
