Arua City — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential Flagbearer, has called on the people of Arua to continue supporting the ruling party, citing the NRM’s role in delivering peace, unity, and socio-economic progress to the West Nile region.
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President addressed thousands of supporters on Tuesday during a campaign rally held at the Arua City Golf Course under the theme “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”
President Museveni praised the progress achieved in education, health, infrastructure, and income generation, describing Arua’s transformation as a reflection of NRM’s deliberate and sustained development agenda.
“In Arua District and Arua City, there are a total of 120 government primary schools—50 in the district and 70 in the city—and 16 government secondary schools. For someone who has known this area for a long time, when I see this, I am very happy,” he said.
“In 1961, when I was at Ntare School, there was not a single A-Level school in Northern or Eastern Uganda. Today, Arua City alone has nine. This shows how far we have come.”
On education challenges, the President cited testimonies from learners in Presidential Zonal Skilling Hubs, saying the free hands-on training programs have empowered youth who had dropped out of school due to school fees.
“I started these skilling hubs to help those who could not afford school fees. They now acquire practical skills in shoemaking, metalwork, carpentry, and building—all in six months, for free,” he said.
President Museveni pledged that in the next government, school charges in public schools will be abolished, and 50,000 additional teachers will be recruited to close existing staffing gaps.
“We must emphasise day schools—one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county—so that children can study and return home. Education should not be a burden to families,” he said.
On health, the President announced that the NRM government plans to upgrade Orivu Health Centre III to a Health Centre IV in Ayivu Division East, and Lazebu Health Centre II to a Health Centre III in Arivu Sub-County.
Turning to household income, Museveni underscored the importance of wealth creation and production as key to national prosperity.
“If you don’t have income in your homes, you cause problems for your family and for your country because government revenue comes from what people buy,” he said. “Factories have created 1.2 million jobs, compared to 480,000 in government. That’s why NRM emphasises production and regional integration to expand markets—from Uganda to East Africa and beyond.”
The President also handed over NRM flags to parliamentary flagbearers and welcomed 300 new party members, who were introduced by Mr Lawrence Dangote, the NRM flagbearer for Arua City Mayor.
First Lady Calls for Patriotism and Purposeful Growth
In her remarks, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni thanked the people of Arua for their loyalty to the NRM and urged them to remain patriotic and united ahead of the 2026 elections.
“Thank you for being patriots and for standing firm with the NRM. This is a party of the people, for the people of Uganda,” she said.
“We must be deliberate in all we do so that Uganda grows from strength to strength. By God’s grace, we shall prove that African nations are capable, strong, and determined.”
The First Lady reminded citizens to actively participate in the electoral process. “Ensure that no one stays home on voting day. Remember, your vote is for your family, your children, and Uganda’s peace. Vote for President Museveni and vote for NRM,” she said.
She concluded by thanking Arua residents for their steadfast support. “You have refused to forget where Uganda has come from. Continue standing with NRM and vote for President Museveni to complete the work we started.”
Local Leaders Applaud NRM Achievements
Ms Joyce Amaguru, the Arua City NRM Chairperson, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for transforming the city and improving service delivery.
“We are grateful, Your Excellency, for giving us this city and for the peace we enjoy today,” she said. “Health facilities have been upgraded, education is accessible, roads have been tarmacked, and our region is now connected to the national grid. We are even in the process of getting a heart and lung institute at Muni University.”
Amaguru shared sectoral achievements, noting that Arua District has 50 government primary schools with 64,668 pupils and 7 government secondary schools with 3,780 students, while Arua City has 70 government primary schools with 110,136 pupils and 9 government secondary schools with 4,616 students.
All schools benefit from Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET) programs.
She also cited progress in water and market development. “In the water sector, 15% of households now have access to safe water. In the market sector, we have completed the Ojipala Market in Vurra through government and private sector support. We also appreciate the special funds disbursed to the elderly and People with Disabilities,” she said, pledging that Arua would deliver 90% of the votes for the NRM.
Mr Arion Bonifance, the NRM Arua District Chairperson, thanked the President for restoring peace and stability to West Nile. “I was born in Congo because of the insecurity at that time. Today, I thank you, Your Excellency, for the love and peace you have given our region,” he said.
The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters, who pledged continued support for the NRM’s vision of peace, prosperity, and transformation.
