By Jumah Kakomo/ Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has called on the people of Pader District to renew his mandate in the forthcoming general elections, citing the NRM government’s record of peace, stability, and unity as key achievements.
Speaking during his campaign rally at Pajule Primary School playgrounds, Museveni said that the NRM’s good politics and effective work methods have enabled Uganda to become “an island of peace” and a steadily developing nation.
The NRM presidential flag bearer emphasized that his government’s strategic approach, prioritizing critical national issues has been central to Uganda’s transformation.
He urged local leaders and citizens of Pader to emulate the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) model of prioritization and discipline, which has helped it grow into a strong and professional national army.
Museveni pledged to prioritize the construction and maintenance of main and feeder roads in Pader District to complement major highways across the Acholi sub-region. He highlighted key roads such as Rwenkunye–Puranga, Oluyo–Anaka–Kitgum, and Karuma–Gulu–Atiak as part of his development plan.
He also criticized district authorities for the mismanagement of funds allocated for road maintenance, stressing that the over UGX 1 billion released to districts must reflect in the quality of works, especially on marrum roads. He cited the lack of drainage channels on some roads as a sign of poor supervision and promised to end such negligence.
Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to expanding access to safe and clean water in Pader District, which currently has 80% coverage through the Pajule Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System serving over 12,700 residents. He pledged to achieve full coverage in his next term and to complete the Aringo-mone Small Scale Irrigation Scheme in Latanya Sub-county, alongside four solar-powered irrigation projects.
On healthcare, the NRM candidate promised to construct Pader General Hospital and upgrade nine other health facilities in the district.
In education, Museveni reiterated his plan to eliminate all forms of charges in government schools and expand access to day schooling and vocational skills training. He emphasized that every parish should have a primary and a secondary school, showcasing products from the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, which provide free vocational training to youth.
Museveni encouraged Pader residents to learn from their counterparts in the cattle corridor, who prioritized wealth creation even in difficult times and have since prospered. He noted that the planned cattle restocking program for Pader and the greater Acholi sub-region will significantly improve household incomes.
The NRM candidate asked voters to question opposition candidates on their concrete plans for the country, arguing that the NRM has already laid a solid foundation for Uganda’s development.
“The NRM has ably laid a stable foundation for Uganda’s growth and development. It is now time to elevate our country to a high middle-income status, anchored on the gains we have already made,” Museveni said.
The rally also featured a presentation by NRM District Chairperson Lowila Oketayot, who read Pader’s situation report before the candidate’s address.
