Maracha District — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also the Presidential Flagbearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has said the ruling party is committed to delivering tangible results that transform lives, not chasing cheap popularity.
Speaking to thousands of supporters at Nyadri Urban Secondary School Grounds in Maracha District during his presidential campaign rally, President Museveni said the recent connection of West Nile to the national electricity grid was not a symbolic act but a key step in NRM’s long-term plan to industrialise and modernise Uganda.
“For us in the NRM, we don’t do things to please people for cheap popularity. We plan and deliver,” he said. “We told you that electricity would come to West Nile — and now it has. The next task is to distribute it to every sub-county and household.”
The President explained that the 132KV Karuma–Arua transmission line is among the largest energy investments in Northern Uganda and will drive industrialisation and agro-processing across the sub-region.
Expanding Education and Free Learning Access
On education, President Museveni revealed that Maracha District currently has 62 government primary schools and seven government secondary schools, but noted that gaps remain.
“Maracha has 19 sub-counties but only seven government secondary schools. In the next government, we shall ensure that every sub-county has one,” he said.
He criticised schools that still charge illegal fees under Universal Primary and Secondary Education, saying such practices deny poor children opportunities.
“When we introduced free education, some schools brought back charges. That’s why I started Presidential Zonal Skilling Hubs — to show that free, practical education is possible,” the President said.
Roads, Peace, and Regional Development
President Museveni cited the tarmacking of Karuma–Koboko Road and ongoing works on roads such as Atiak–Adjumani–Moyo, Panyimur–Pakwach–Rhino Camp–Wanyara, and Terego–Moyo, saying infrastructure remains central to NRM’s agenda.
He noted that Uganda is enjoying its longest period of peace in 500 years. “From Karamoja to West Nile, Uganda is stable. This peace was not bought with words — it was built through sacrifice and the right ideology,” he said.
The President hailed West Nile’s strategic location as a gateway to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, describing it as a major trade corridor for Uganda’s exports.
PDM Funds and Wealth Creation
Highlighting economic transformation, Museveni said the Parish Development Model (PDM) has injected Shs 27.9 billion into Maracha District, benefiting over 30,000 households.
“Politics is like medicine — you must diagnose the problem correctly,” he said. “Uganda’s problem has never been tribes or religion. It is a lack of income. Every family must engage in wealth creation.”
He urged residents to focus on household prosperity as the next phase of Uganda’s development after peace and infrastructure.
Leaders Commend NRM’s Record
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, thanked the people of Maracha and West Nile for their unwavering support.
“You have shown that West Nile stands with the NRM. The connection to the national grid, the PDM, and new schools are proof that this government delivers for all Ugandans,” she said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to keeping education free of illegal fees, saying, “No child should be sent away from school because of money. Education is a right.”
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among praised the NRM’s impact in the region, noting that “roads, electricity, PDM funds, and schools show real work, not politics of words.”
NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, lauded President Museveni for transforming West Nile from a war-torn area into a peaceful, economically vibrant region.
Maracha District NRM Chairperson Gabriel Ofekua also pledged overwhelming support for the President, saying residents “will never forget the gains of peace and development under NRM.”
Development Milestones
According to district statistics, Maracha now has 62 government and 25 private primary schools, plus 7 government and 7 private secondary schools, 72% rural water coverage, serving 495 of 691 villages, ongoing construction of two Seed Secondary Schools, reducing education gaps and solar-powered irrigation schemes planned for five sub-counties under BADEA support
Maracha is now fully connected to the national electricity grid, a milestone leaders say will unlock the district’s full economic potential.
The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, cultural and religious leaders, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
“We began with peace, then built roads and brought electricity. The next phase is household prosperity. Together, we shall build a stronger Uganda,” Museveni concluded.