President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday launched his West Nile campaign tour with a rally in Pakwach District, calling on Ugandans to entrust the National Resistance Movement (NRM) with another mandate to consolidate peace, unity, and economic transformation.
Speaking to thousands of supporters, the President thanked the people of Pakwach for their strong support and urged them to heed his call for continuity, stating that the NRM’s leadership has restored stability and laid a firm foundation for development.
“As I begin the West Nile tour with Pakwach to ask for an extension of the NRM’s mandate, I want the people of the region to witness my request. The region knows about important ideas like unity in politics,” Museveni said.
“Many older people lived in exile because of bad politics from past leaders. Some were born outside Uganda and only came back after we took charge,” he added, emphasizing that the NRM has brought lasting peace and inclusive governance.
Over Shs 14.7 Billion Disbursed to Boost Household Incomes
According to official government data, Pakwach District has received Shs 14.77 billion under the Parish Development Model (PDM), all of which has been disbursed to 14,769 households across the district’s 48 parishes.
Out of 42,909 total households, approximately 24,811 were still in the subsistence economy as of 2024; however, more families are now joining the money economy through government-supported enterprises.
President Museveni noted that such programs reflect NRM’s practical approach to empowerment, saying that “true development begins when every family earns and saves.”
He also reminded residents that in the 2021 elections, NRM and its candidate secured 67.1% of the vote in Pakwach, and the number of registered voters has since increased to 86,716, up from 78,801 in 2021, proof of growing confidence in the Movement.
Education, Health, and Irrigation Driving Transformation
The President highlighted NRM’s investment in social infrastructure, including 64 government and 54 private primary schools, enrolling 72,882 pupils, and 8 government plus 10 private secondary schools across the district.
Two new Seed Secondary Schools, one in Alwi (completed) and another in Wadelai (under construction), will ensure all sub-counties in Pakwach have government secondary schools.
In the health sector, Museveni reaffirmed the government’s plan to upgrade Pakwach Health Centre IV to a General Hospital, and raise Dei, Boro, and Ragem health centers to HCIII level.
He further pointed to irrigation projects like the Andibo Irrigation System, which supports 128 farmers earning UGX 150 million, and the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme covering 1,000 hectares, which he said will transform agriculture and boost incomes.
“We have built a strong economic and social infrastructure. I ask that you trust the NRM government and party to protect these gains and help families become more empowered,” Museveni said.
Roads and Power Opening Up the Region
Pakwach District continues to benefit from strategic infrastructure projects that are transforming West Nile’s connectivity. The Nebbi–Alwi (33km) and Pakwach/Nebbi Town Roads (4.3km) are now 79% complete, while the Olwiyo–Pakwach (62.5km) road is at 40% completion.
The district is also connected to the National Power Grid, with Pakwach, Panyimur, and Dei already electrified, and more sub-counties set to follow. Museveni said these projects demonstrate NRM’s consistent delivery on infrastructure, which is essential for trade and development.
“The West Nile region has waited long for stable growth, and the NRM has made that possible through roads, power, and peace,” he added.
NRM Calls for Continuity and Mindset Change
The President’s message in Pakwach centered on continuity, unity, and wealth creation, urging residents to make full use of government programs like PDM, Emyooga, and irrigation schemes.
He praised West Nile for its unity and political maturity, saying that the region’s past struggles with instability and exile should serve as a reminder of the value of NRM’s leadership.
“We have moved from exile to stability, from insecurity to peace. The next step is for every family to move from subsistence to prosperity,” Museveni said.
The rally marked the start of the President’s West Nile campaign trail, where he will reinforce NRM’s message of stability, transformation, and empowerment across the region.
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