President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate for the 2026 elections, began his campaign trail in the West Nile sub-region on Tuesday with a message centered on peace, unity, and wealth creation.
Speaking to thousands of supporters at Pakwach Town Council grounds, President Museveni urged residents to back the NRM, crediting the party for restoring peace and stability in a region once marked by insecurity.
“When the NRM came to power, many of you were in exile in Congo and South Sudan. We reconciled, and you returned home. You are living witnesses to what peace under the NRM means,” he said to loud applause.
He contrasted Uganda’s stability with conflicts in neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying Uganda has become a haven for those fleeing regional turmoil.
Reflecting on his political journey, Museveni recalled the divisive politics of the 1960s, which he said motivated him to form movements based on patriotism and pan-Africanism rather than sectarianism.
“When you support the NRM, know why. Since the 1960s, our mission has been unity, not tribal or religious divisions,” he said.
The President outlined how the NRM, through its various phases from FRONASA to the current government has consistently championed peace and inclusive development.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong praised West Nile residents for their continued loyalty, noting that Pakwach District gave Museveni 61% of the vote in 2021. He urged them to increase that margin in 2026.
“Let’s unite behind our flag bearers and strengthen the Movement,” Todwong said
President Museveni used the same rally to outline the NRM government’s achievements in both economic and social infrastructure. He cited the rehabilitation of major road networks such as the Karuma–Pakwach–Nebbi–Arua–Koboko road, the expansion of electricity coverage, and improvement in telecommunication as major drivers of regional growth.
He highlighted the progress in education and health services, revealing that Pakwach District now has 64 government primary schools and eight government secondary schools, though some parishes still lack schools. “When you support the NRM, you should know the reasons why. We shall ensure that every parish has a government primary school and every sub-county has a secondary school,” he said.
The President contrasted the current progress with the situation in the early 1960s, when secondary schools were almost entirely concentrated in central and western Uganda. “When I was in Senior One at Ntare School in 1961, there was no single secondary school in West Nile, Acholi, Lango, or Teso. Today, every district has schools — that is progress,” he said.
Turning to health, he noted that out of the ten sub-counties in Pakwach, only one has a Health Centre IV. He acknowledged local demands for a district hospital and promised to consider the request within the government’s planning and budgeting framework.
President Museveni urged citizens to make realistic demands and prioritize long-term national goals over short-term political interests.
“I was in Oyam district earlier today, and they want to divide it into two districts. Then I said, what do we do with the roads? And they said, forget about the road, and we get the district. You have to be serious with your demands,” he said.
He said the government’s approach is to balance development needs with the available national resources.
The President also spoke about Uganda’s emerging oil industry, describing it as a new source of national wealth. “The good thing is that God is always with the NRM. The British were here for over 60 years and failed to find oil. We discovered it, and next year we shall start pumping,” he said.
He pledged that oil revenues would be used responsibly to finance strategic national projects such as major roads, electricity generation, and healthcare infrastructure. “If you elect NRM, we shall not allow our oil money to import perfumes, wigs, or whisky. The oil money will be used for development,” he said.
Museveni urged the people of West Nile to embrace household wealth creation as a key driver of economic transformation, emphasizing that government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) are designed to lift every household into the money economy.
“If you work on the road from Karuma to Pakwach and we have built these schools, the question is, do you sleep on the road or in the school? At night, you go back home, and the poverty you left in the morning will still be there. You must chase it away by working,” he said.
He encouraged the people to use the PDM funds productively, highlighting success stories such as Gilbert Kermundo and Apio Vicky, who have used small amounts to expand their farms and enterprises. “Seek first homestead income, and the rest will be added unto you,” he advised.
President Museveni also announced plans to create new support funds for specific groups, including religious and cultural leaders, unemployed graduates, and fishermen. “With football, you have players and spectators, but in wealth creation, I don’t want spectators. Everybody must be a player,” he said.
He addressed concerns from fishing communities, explaining that the government’s enforcement measures on the lakes were meant to protect fish breeding grounds and restore sustainable fishing. He proposed a Fisheries Development Fund to modernize the sector and reduce conflicts between enforcement units and local communities.
On the longstanding Jonam land question, President Museveni said he would appoint a judicial commission of inquiry to study the historical and legal aspects of the conflict between the Jonam and Acholi communities. “I will appoint a judicial-type commission with authority to tell us the history of that area and handle these issues,” he said.
Welcoming the President, Pakwach District LC5 Chairperson Robert Omito thanked him for creating the district and supporting local development through programs such as the PDM, through which Shs 14 billion has been disbursed to 48 SACCOs. He also called for a review of the operations of the Fisheries Protection Unit to make it more community-friendly.
Mr. Jacan Omach, NRM Electoral Commission Deputy Chairman and a native of the region, thanked the President for the trust placed in him and pledged overwhelming support for the NRM in the 2026 elections. “We shall give you over 85 percent of the votes in West Nile,” he said.
The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, ministers from West Nile, Members of Parliament, local leaders, and cultural and religious representatives.
During the ceremony, President Museveni handed over flags to NRM flag bearers contesting in the 2026 elections and welcomed new converts from other political parties who joined the Movement. He encouraged them to uphold party discipline and continue mobilizing for the NRM’s victory.
