Op-Ed:
President Yoweri Museveni, the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) presidential flag bearer, recently concluded his campaign trail in Lango sub-region ahead of the 2026 general elections. As part of his trail in Lango, the president campaigned in Amolatar, Dokolo, Alebtong, Otuke, Apac, Kwania and Oyam districts as he reinforced NRM’s message of stability, development, and wealth creation.
During his rallies, he emphasized the importance of a proper ideology that he said right from the 1960s, the NRM diagnosed the problems of the country and decided to do away with tribal and religious sectarianism. He explained to the masses that because of doing away with tribal and religious sectarianism, government has been able to build a strong army.
“That’s why every district has a quota during the recruitment of the police and the army. We don’t look at tribe or religion. This way, we have been able to build a strong army which has maintained peace for the last 20 years. For the first time in 500 years, Uganda is at total peace,” he said.
He reassured the people of Lango that the government is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region, allowing them to focus on wealth creation and development. According to the president, with peace ushered in the country, other aspects like development and wealth creation can come in. He said government has been able to invest infrastructure in form of roads, health facilities , electricity and schools among others that benefit the population.
He said despite having little funds in the past, government has been able to work on several road networks in the region, promising to improve on others, including the Lira-Kamdini road and the road connecting Ochero, Amolatar to Namasale, and Dokolo among others. The president also mentioned upgrading of several health centres in the various districts of Lango sub-region as one of the ways of improving health services. He told the masses that by having health centres near them, government aims to ensure easy access to health services.
Wealth Creation
During his campaign trail in Lango, the president emphasised that despite the development achieved, one thing which is lacking is wealth creation. He said whereas several programs like Bonna Bagaggawale, NAADS, Entandikwa , Operation Wealth Creation have been introduced, a sizeable number of population is still in subsistence production.
Describing it as working for the stomach, the president said this means households only produce what to eat and cant contribute to the growing of the economy .
He however said this has to stop, noting that the introduction of the Parish Development Model aims to ensure everyone joins the money economy. With shs500 million sent to every parish, the President believes each households receives shs1 million that they can use to create wealth. Giving examples of successful individuals and households that have used the PDM cash to create wealth, the president further revelation that anyone can do it. He said the aim of government is to ensure everyone participates in wealth creation, noting that it is not like football where there are participants and spectators.
Additionally, PDM is designed to provide financial support to households, enabling them to engage in commercial farming and entrepreneurship. The four-acre farming model as championed by the President, on the other hand, encourages farmers to allocate their land to different crops and livestock, promoting diversified agriculture and increased income. This way he said households can create wealth adding that even if there is no development in the form of tarmacked roads, one can ably create wealth.
The president also promoted fish farming as one of the avenues of creating wealth, noting that households near swamps can utilise them to grow fish for both home consumption and for sale and earn a lot of money out of the same.
President Museveni told the people of Lango that fish farming is a lucrative alternative to traditional crops, highlighting the potential for increased income and food security.
While the President’s campaign trail has been met with enthusiasm from some quarters, others have raised concerns about the lack of accountability and the need for more meaningful engagement with the local population. President Museveni’s campaign trail in Lango sub-region reflects the NRM’s commitment to wealth creation and development.
Whereas there are challenges to be addressed, the President’s emphasis on infrastructure development, agricultural growth, and peace and security has resonated with many in the region. As the country heads towards the 2026 general elections, it remains to be seen whether the NRM’s message will resonate with voters.
By Catherine Namuddu,
The Writer Works with Uganda Media Centre
