By Jumah Kakomo / Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has directed the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to allow pastoralists in Nakapiripirit District to graze their animals in part of the Pian-Upe Conservation Area.
Museveni said the government plans to engage local communities in modern farming practices and sensitization on the benefits of tourism for economic empowerment and area development.
The directive followed a request from the NRM Chairperson for Nakapiripirit District, Daniel Ochap Matovu, who reported that UWA had blocked pastoralists from accessing grazing land in the conservation area.
In response, Museveni granted a waiver to allow limited grazing, adding that elders in the area would be trained in modern agriculture and the importance of wildlife conservation
During his campaign rally at Naturum Village, Namboole 2 Trading Centre in Nakapiripirit District, Museveni also emphasized that allowing local communities to own firearms was dangerous and would fuel criminality in the Karamoja Sub-region. He assured residents of continued government protection against attacks from the Pokot and Turkana communities across the Kenyan border, urging locals to now focus on wealth creation.
Museveni further highlighted ongoing infrastructure development, including the 93-kilometre Mbale–Muyembe–Nakapiripirit Highway, and noted that the district had made significant progress in access to roads, electricity, and water, which now stands at 80% coverage through boreholes and large water dams.
He pledged to complete an 11.8-billion-litre irrigation scheme covering over 700 hectares and promised to address gaps in education by constructing more government schools in parishes and sub-counties without one, under the equitable schools distribution policy.
The NRM candidate also committed to upgrading several health facilities, including: Upgrading Moruita HCII (Moruita Sub-County) to HCIII, Upgrading Lomuronyagae HCII (Kawaach Sub-County) to HCIII, Constructing Lemusui HCIII, Akuyam HCIII (Kakomongole Sub-County), and Loreng HCIII (Loreng Sub-County).
Museveni promised to support farmers by improving market access and addressing exploitation by middlemen, citing success stories from Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model. He cautioned locals against opposition politicians who he said were undermining government wealth and job creation programs.
He reaffirmed his commitment to free universal education and youth skilling through the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, urging the community to defend and support education as a foundation for productivity and prosperity.
Meanwhile, First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni announced plans to improve security, peace, and modern housing across Nakapiripirit District and the wider Karamoja Sub-region to uplift the quality of life.
NRM National Vice Chairperson (Female), Anita Among, also rallied residents to ignore divisive opposition politics and to protect the district’s progress by re-electing Museveni and all NRM flag bearers.
District Chairperson Daniel Ochap Matovu commended the NRM government for transforming Nakapiripirit from historical neglect, urging residents to safeguard the achievements realized under Museveni’s leadership.
