PADER — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flagbearer, has reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to free and quality education, peace consolidation, and household wealth creation across Uganda.
Addressing thousands of jubilant supporters in Pader District, Acholi Sub-region, on Thursday, the President described the continued practice of charging school fees in government schools as “murder,” saying it denies children their constitutional right to education. “Charging school fees in government schools is murder and it must stop,” President Museveni declared, to thunderous applause.
He emphasised that his government will recruit 50,000 additional teachers to address the staffing gaps and ensure that all children study free of charge. “We started free education, but some people refused to implement it. Now I am going to recruit 50,000 teachers to solve the problem of understaffing and ensure every child studies free of charge,” he added.
The rally formed part of the President’s ongoing nationwide campaign trail ahead of the 2026 general elections, where he is seeking a fresh mandate to consolidate the NRM’s achievements in peace, development, and wealth creation.
Free Education and Skills Development
President Museveni expressed disappointment with headteachers who continue to impose illegal fees on parents, vowing to enforce genuine free education in all government schools during his next term.
He commended Pader for its educational progress, noting that the district has 77 government primary schools, 107 private schools, and 9 government secondary schools offering Universal Secondary Education (USE) and UPOLET programs. “When I see that Pader alone, which is just a small part of the Acholi region, has nine government secondary schools — three of which have A-Level sections — I say Apoyo Lubanga (thank you, God),” President Museveni remarked.
He revealed that the government is constructing three new seed secondary schools in the district, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from 14 to 11.
The President linked the challenge of school dropouts to poor implementation of free education, noting that many young people have since benefited from the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs established in all regions of the country.
“I started 19 skilling hubs to teach vocational skills for free. After six months, students can make furniture, shoes, clothes, and metal doors. Many are already creating jobs,” he said, proudly showing off a pair of shoes he bought from Okol Jonathan, an 18-year-old trainee from the Gulu Skilling Hub, for UGX 500,000.
He added that maintaining these hubs is costly since the government provides meals and accommodation, stressing that implementing free education would reduce such expenses by keeping children in school.
Sustaining Peace and Unity
President Museveni reminded the people of Pader that the peace they enjoy today is the fruit of the NRM’s deliberate political strategy and the building of strong national institutions. “In the last 40 years, we have been able to bring peace to Uganda. You people of Pader are witnesses — from Kabalega’s wars to Amin, Obote, and the LRA insurgency. But now, all that is behind us,” he said.
He reflected on Uganda’s divisive politics before 1986, which was based on religion and tribe, saying NRM replaced it with a national, non-sectarian movement. “In 1962, no party got 50% of the vote because politics was based on religion and tribe. NRM built a national movement that unites Ugandans regardless of tribe or religion — that’s why we have lasting peace,” the President emphasised.
He added that this inclusive politics has helped build strong institutions such as the UPDF, Police, and Intelligence Services, which now guarantee the country’s stability. “When we talk of peace, we have proof. I have lived 55 years as a soldier without a good salary because we prioritised weapons and defence first,” he noted.
Prioritising Key Sectors
President Museveni underscored the importance of prioritising core sectors such as defence, roads, electricity, education, and health before expanding administrative structures. “If we try to do everything at once, we end up with half-baked work. Prioritisation is key,” he said, citing road projects such as Karuma–Gulu–Atiak–Nimule and Oluo–Kitgum, and promising that Pader’s roads would also be worked on sequentially.
He praised ongoing electricity extensions across Northern Uganda and cautioned road engineers to ensure quality maintenance. “If it’s a tarmac road, maintain it as tarmac. Marrum roads must also be graded properly with drainage channels, not like swimming pools when it rains,” he warned.
On water access, the President applauded Pader for achieving 88% safe water coverage, with 770 out of 871 villages now connected. “In the next Kisanja, we shall ensure piped water reaches every village,” he pledged.
Expanding Healthcare
President Museveni announced plans to ensure every sub-county in Pader has at least a Health Centre III or IV, and a district hospital is established.
Ongoing projects include upgrading Lutanya, Oryang, Latigi, Amilobo, Lawire, and Paiula HCIIIs to HCIIIs, and constructing new Outpatient Departments at Tenam and Pukor, plus a new Medicine Store at Pajule HCIV. “In the coming Kisanja, every sub-county will have a health centre, including a district hospital,” he assured the crowd.
Cattle Compensation and Wealth Creation
Addressing the long-standing issue of cattle compensation in Northern Uganda, President Museveni said the government had set aside UGX 59 billion, and he introduced a flat-rate model of five cows per household to ensure fairness.
He urged citizens to distinguish between development and personal wealth creation. “We have roads, schools, and hospitals — but you don’t sleep there. Development is ours, but wealth is mine, my family’s, or my company’s,” he explained, urging residents to embrace modern commercial agriculture under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Pader District, with 95 parishes, has received UGX 29.17 billion under PDM, of which 98.7% has been disbursed to 28,844 beneficiary households. “We are adding a special fund for religious leaders, university graduates who fail to get jobs, and 15 million shillings for local leaders,” the President announced.
He screened a video of George Matongo, a livestock farmer from Nakaseke who earns UGX 29 million monthly from milk sales, as an example of how ordinary Ugandans can prosper through productivity. “If Matongo can prosper without a tarmac road, what excuse do you have?” he challenged the crowd.
Local Leaders Praise the President
NRM Pader Chairperson Hon. Lowila C.D. Oketa praised President Museveni for empowering women and promoting peace. “Our people appreciate you for championing women’s emancipation. The Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister, and even myself as NRM Chairperson are all women,” she said.
She also pledged overwhelming support for the President in 2026, noting that Pader had given him 63.6% of votes in 2021 and aims for 80% in 2026.
The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, described a vote for President Museveni as “a vote for sustainable peace and household income.”
As the rally concluded, chants of “Museveni oyee!” filled the air — a clear signal that Pader remains firmly behind the NRM and its long-serving leader.