Amuria — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer, has praised the people of Teso for their resilience and vital contribution to restoring peace in the region and across Uganda.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Amuria District on Sunday, President Museveni—accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni—said the people of Teso played a decisive role in ending insurgency in the area.
“You people of Amuria and Teso are witnesses to what happened here. There is a place called Apopong where the UPDF destroyed Kony’s army. That was the turning point of the war against Kony,” President Museveni recalled.
“In Anyara, Kalaki, we killed one of the notorious rebels called Tabuley. I want to thank the Arrow Boys who joined me in bringing peace here.”
The Arrow Boys, a local self-defence militia formed in the early 2000s, were instrumental in defeating the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Teso. Comprising ex-soldiers and residents armed with bows and arrows, they protected communities from LRA attacks and helped rescue abducted children.
The President said the peace achieved by the UPDF and the Arrow Boys laid the foundation for the region’s progress. “Without peace, no development can take place. That’s why we always emphasise peace first. It’s the reason you can now talk of roads, schools, hospitals, and electricity,” he said.
Infrastructure and Development Gains
President Museveni outlined the NRM government’s achievements in infrastructure development across Teso, highlighting major tarmacked roads linking Soroti–Katine–Otuboi–Lira and Soroti–Katakwi–Usuku–Karamoja, which have greatly improved trade and mobility.
He announced plans to close remaining gaps in the sub-region’s road network.
“We have already provided money to take the road from Katine to Ochero. But there are two more big gaps we are going to work on — Soroti–Amuria–Achanipi up to Otuke, and Kumi–Ngora–Serere to Bugondo,” he said.
“When I tell people in Kampala about those roads, they don’t know them. But I know them because I used them when I was fighting Kony.”
On rural electrification, the President noted that power has reached most parts of Amuria, with ongoing efforts to extend distribution lines. He also revealed that 401 out of 528 villages now have boreholes, while Amuria Town Council boasts a piped water system serving more than 7,200 residents.
Education and Health Improvements
Under the NRM’s education policy, Amuria District currently has 68 government primary schools and eight government secondary schools, providing Universal Primary and Secondary Education.
“Our goal is to ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-county has a secondary school,” the President said.
On healthcare, he announced ongoing upgrades to facilities to enhance service delivery. The district currently has one hospital and 10 Health Centre IIIs serving its 18 sub-counties.
“Plans are underway to upgrade Olwa, Abia, and Amolo Health Centre IIs to IIIs, and to construct new facilities in Ogongora, Asamuk, Wera, and Orungo,” he said. “We are also upgrading Wera HCIII to HCIV and constructing a theatre at Orungo HCIII.”
He emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring all Ugandans have access to quality healthcare within reasonable distances, including through ICT systems to monitor medicines and reduce absenteeism among health workers.
Wealth Creation and Economic Transformation
President Museveni reiterated the importance of wealth creation in sustaining national development. “Twelve years ago, only 32% of Ugandans were engaged in wealth creation. I am glad that through our efforts, that figure has now dropped to 33%. I now appeal to the remaining 33% to join the journey of modern wealth creation,” he said.
He urged households still outside the money economy to embrace productive activities in the four key sectors of commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT, which he identified as the pillars of Uganda’s transformation.
“When we talk of roads, schools, hospitals, and security, it is the wealth creators who make these possible through the taxes they generate,” he added.
President Museveni cited model farmers like Joseph Ijala of Serere as examples of how embracing commercial agriculture can uplift families and communities.
Protecting the NRM Legacy
The President concluded by calling on the people of Teso to safeguard the progress achieved under NRM leadership and support Uganda’s transition into a high middle-income country.
“Let us protect the gains we have made and aim for a qualitative leap into a high middle-income country,” he said.
He later handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates in Amuria District, formally endorsing their candidacies ahead of the upcoming elections.
First Lady’s Call for Unity
In her remarks, Maama Janet Museveni commended the people of Teso for their loyalty to the NRM and urged them to maintain unity and civic responsibility.
“We are proud of you; you look beautiful in yellow. We have come here to remind each other that we are one big NRM family,” she said.
“On voting day, ensure that every family member and neighbour turns up to vote for the NRM so that we can continue building a stronger and united nation.”
Appreciation from Local Leaders
The NRM District Chairperson, Mr Simon Peter Okello, thanked the President for restoring peace and spearheading numerous development initiatives in Amuria.
“Your Excellency, allow me to appreciate the peace and security that we now enjoy in Amuria. We also thank you for improving road infrastructure, creating administrative units, and establishing a value addition park in Amuria,” he said.
The event drew thousands of supporters and was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and local officials.
