ZOMBO — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming 2026 general elections, has pledged to tackle the long-standing challenge of poor road infrastructure in Zombo District and expand key social and economic facilities to improve livelihoods in the area.
The President committed on Saturday, October 11, while addressing a massive campaign rally at Zombo Upper Primary School playground, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni. Thousands of residents from across Zombo and neighbouring districts turned up as the NRM leader continued his campaign trail in the West Nile sub-region.
Road Infrastructure Commitment
President Museveni assured residents that his government has already drawn up concrete plans to upgrade the main road network in Zombo, confirming that the long-awaited Nebbi–Zombo–Vura Road project will commence next year.
“The contract for the construction of the road from Nebbi to Zombo will be signed in April 2026. It will then be followed by the road from Zombo to Vura,” the President announced, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
He explained that the road forms part of Uganda’s broader national road development program under the NRM government. “When NRM came into power, the tarmac road ended at Karuma. We have since extended it to Gulu, and from there to Koboko. From Malaba up to Bundibugyo, from Nimule to Kisoro, the tarmac now stretches across Uganda. The Nebbi–Zombo–Vura Road is part of this plan,” he said.
President Museveni dismissed suggestions that the government had neglected the area, noting that the priority had initially been on opening up national transit corridors before expanding into interior roads such as those in Zombo.
“The Nebbi–Goli road is only 16 kilometres, and from Goli to Vura is 118 kilometres. You cannot say NRM cannot do that because we have already done over 1,000 kilometres elsewhere,” he said, adding that murram road maintenance would continue until the tarmac project is completed.
He emphasised that improving road connectivity was crucial for cross-border trade, given Zombo’s strategic location near the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
Peace and Stability
The President also used the occasion to reaffirm the NRM’s legacy of peace and stability. “It is only the NRM that has managed to secure peace from border to border because of our politics of unity and caring for the people,” he said.
Museveni reminded supporters that the NRM’s founding principles emerged over six decades ago, in response to the divisive politics of early post-independence parties.
“NRM has been active for 65 years. The old parties—DP, UPC, and KY—were based on religion, tribe, and sectarianism. You cannot build a national army or achieve stability through divisive politics,” he stated.
He contrasted Uganda’s peace with the instability in neighbouring countries, urging residents to safeguard NRM’s legacy. “You know what happens in Congo and South Sudan. Refugees come here because we have peace and stability. That is why NRM must continue,” he said.
Education and Health Priorities
Turning to education, President Museveni pledged to ensure that every sub-county in Zombo District has a government secondary school within his next term.
Currently, seven of the district’s 15 sub-counties have government secondary schools, while eight remain without one. Museveni highlighted the ongoing construction of four new Seed Secondary Schools—Atyak, Abanga, Kango, and Alangi—which will help close the gap.
“In the next term, we shall ensure that all sub-counties without a government school get one,” he assured.
The President also promised to elevate Paidha Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and to follow up on the establishment of a district hospital for Zombo. “I will take up the issue of your district hospital,” he told the cheering crowd.
Wealth Creation and PDM Progress
Museveni urged residents to take advantage of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) to build household wealth. “Even if we tarmac the roads and you have no wealth in your homes, it will not benefit you. Everyone must participate in wealth creation,” he said.
He noted that Zombo’s 61 parishes have received Shs 18.7 billion under PDM, with 97.7% of the funds already disbursed to 18,646 households—about 26% of the district’s 71,491 households.
The President announced plans to increase PDM parish SACCO funding by Shs 15 million to accelerate local economic transformation.
He also revealed that the government will establish a special fund for unemployed university graduates and another for church and mosque leaders to support community initiatives. “In football, we have players and spectators. In wealth creation, we don’t want spectators — everyone must be a player,” Museveni quipped.
Maama Janet Calls for Unity and Support
In her remarks, Maama Janet Museveni thanked Zombo residents for their support and urged them to uphold peace and unity by voting for NRM. “Uganda must remain united and free from divisions. The refugees we host are a reminder that our peace should never be taken for granted,” she said.
NRM Stronghold
Zombo District has been a consistent NRM stronghold. In the 2021 presidential election, President Museveni garnered 45,578 votes (76.08%) of the 64,591 total votes cast, while NUP’s candidate polled 9,111 votes (15.2%).
According to the Electoral Commission register (2025), the district now has 149,412 registered voters and 363 polling stations, up from 220 in 2021—reflecting both population and administrative growth.
Campaign Trail Continues
Saturday’s rally followed the President’s earlier campaign stop at Namrwodho Primary School in Nebbi District. The West Nile campaign trail was launched earlier in the week in Pakwach, focusing on peace, infrastructure, and wealth creation.
The Zombo event was attended by top NRM and government officials, including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Minister of State for Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, and NRM Vice Chairpersons Hon. Dennis Hamson Obua (Northern) and Hon. Jonard Asiimwe (Western).