By Jumah Kakomo/ Kabuye Ronald
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential Candidate, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has announced plans to construct and tarmac two major roads through Katakwi District — the Soroti–Amuria–Lira Road and the Lira–Toloma Road — as part of efforts to improve the smooth movement of goods and services in the area.
Speaking during his presidential campaign rally at Booma Grounds in Katakwi District, Gen. Museveni said the planned infrastructure developments align with the NRM manifesto’s commitment to promote economic growth and improve connectivity in rural areas.
He also cautioned local government leaders against allowing shoddy road works, despite the annual road maintenance fund of Shs 1.3 billion allocated to districts, emphasizing accountability and quality service delivery.
Gen. Museveni assured residents of Katakwi of expanded access to safe and clean water in his next term, including the construction of the Angule Small Scale Irrigation Project in Toroma Sub-County and more boreholes across 208 villages. He also promised to extend piped water to additional small towns and invest in more irrigation projects.
These plans build on several completed projects, such as the Ongongoja Irrigation System, Ongole Small Scale Irrigation Project in Usuk, and flood mitigation valley tanks in Ngariam, Palam, Magoro, and Okuronyo Sub-Counties. Currently, 342 of Katakwi’s 550 villages have access to clean water—a figure Museveni vowed to improve.
The NRM Presidential Candidate urged local leaders and the public to enforce universal education by eliminating illegal charges in government schools. He highlighted the success of presidential industrial skilling hubs, which have offered free vocational training to former school dropouts, and pledged to expand such initiatives.
Museveni also promised to increase the number of government-aided schools in the district, adding to the existing 78 primary and 10 secondary schools.
The President pledged to upgrade several health centers in Katakwi, including Aakum, Omodoi, Opeta, Okocho, Akurao, and Ongongoja—from HCII to HCIII status. He also announced plans to construct new HCIIIs in Amusia, Getom, Okore, and Angodingod Sub-Counties, and to complete theatres under construction at Toroma HCIV and Katakwi General Hospital.
Gen. Museveni unveiled a cattle restocking program for Teso, Acholi, and Lango sub-regions, aimed at compensating farmers who lost livestock during past insurgencies and cattle raids. He urged Katakwi residents to embrace the initiative, which supports household wealth creation.
He also condemned past corruption in compensation processes, where Shs 159 billion meant for victims was allegedly swindled by private lawyers. The President encouraged the community to draw inspiration from successful beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga programs.
The First Lady, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, urged residents to remain united and support the NRM government’s development agenda. She encouraged the electorate to turn up in large numbers on voting day to safeguard the progress made under the NRM.
NRM National Vice Chairperson (Female) Anita Among praised President Museveni for addressing insecurity caused by cattle rustlers and for promoting mindset change among the Karamojong community.
Vice President Jesca Alupo applauded the President for leading key human capital development programs such as free skilling and universal education, and highlighted Katakwi’s major gains in healthcare, roads, and electricity access.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region, Calvin Echodu, and NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi (representing the Secretary General Richard Todwong), both called for unity and discipline within the party.
The Katakwi District NRM Chairperson, John Robert Okirol, concluded the rally by presenting a report detailing the district’s achievements and ongoing development projects.
