By Jumah Kakomo/ Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has concluded his campaign trail in the Karamoja sub-region with a final rally at Narakorio playgrounds in Matany Town Council, Napak District.
Addressing thousands of supporters, General Museveni recounted how his government prevented a possible genocide in Karamoja by ending communal gun violence once perpetuated by criminal cattle rustlers. He emphasized that the NRM’s disarmament initiative brought about peace, unity, and development in the region, laying the foundation for wealth creation.
Museveni praised local leaders and residents for embracing peace, noting that similar approaches under his leadership resolved tribal conflicts between the Acholi and Lango, Bugisu and Sebei, Teso and Karamoja, as well as between Northerners and Southerners. He urged the people of Napak to maintain their support for the NRM in the forthcoming general elections to ensure continued progress.
The NRM candidate also commended the First Lady, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, for volunteering to serve as Minister for Karamoja Affairs during the region’s most volatile period. He highlighted her success in improving access to safe and clean water through borehole construction and water dams, as well as initiating food security programs that have made Karamoja a food-secure region capable of exporting to other areas.
General Museveni announced plans to scale up water-for-production projects in Napak and across Karamoja to boost agriculture and livestock rearing. He further committed to constructing more primary and secondary schools to bridge the education gap in the district and strengthen the Universal Education Program.
Currently, Napak District has 59 parishes, with only 20 hosting at least one government primary school and 8 government secondary schools, five of which were recently constructed. The President reaffirmed that charging fees in government schools is illegal, urging parents to defend free education just as they have embraced the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs initiative.
In response to local requests, General Museveni pledged to construct a new district hospital at Matany, upgrade several health centers, and compensate residents for cattle lost in protected kraals. He also directed the Ministry for Karamoja Affairs to ensure equitable water distribution across the sub-region after observing imbalances between districts.
The NRM flag bearer unveiled new wealth creation strategies to generate more jobs and income for individuals and households in Napak and beyond.
Meanwhile, First Lady Maama Janet Museveni reassured voters that the NRM government remains committed to implementing the Karamoja Development Strategy, citing recent gains in infrastructure, water access, and livelihoods.
The NRM Vice Chairperson for Karamoja, John Baptist Loki, applauded the region’s progress under the NRM government and urged residents to reject political diversion. The Napak District NRM Chairperson, Longole Mark Loguti, presented the district’s status report and a list of requests, all of which the President addressed.
The Napak District Woman Member of Parliament, Faith Nakut, lauded General Museveni for announcing key development projects, including a 130-billion-cubic-litre water dam, free universal education, a district hospital, and expanded wealth creation programs.
The rally at Narakorio playgrounds in Matany Town Council marked the official end of General Museveni’s campaign trail in the Karamoja sub-region.
