Koboko — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed peace as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s greatest achievement — the foundation that enabled Ugandans who once fled into exile to return home and rebuild their lives.
Speaking to supporters at a campaign rally in Koboko District, the President recalled that when the NRM took power in 1986, “almost the whole of Koboko was empty.” He recounted driving to the Olaba border with South Sudan, where he saw Ugandans peering across the border in fear.
“I called them to come back home,” he said. “Today, Koboko is full of people again because of the peace that the NRM restored.”
President Museveni attributed this peace to the NRM’s distinct strategy of combining force with reconciliation, and to its rejection of sectarian politics based on tribe, religion, or gender.
“It is suicidal to talk about politics of sectarianism,” he warned, urging the people of Koboko to remain steadfast in the NRM’s ideology of patriotism and unity. He added that inclusiveness has allowed all Ugandans to participate freely in national institutions such as the army and police.
Reaffirming his decision to again lead the country, President Museveni said he is not merely seeking re-election but is motivated by over six decades of political experience and observation.
“I have been watching Uganda for the last 65 years and have been involved directly or indirectly all that time,” he noted. He reminded the audience that the seven points the NRM is now taking to parishes are the same pillars that brought peace, development, and transformation to Uganda.
Highlighting the NRM’s development record in Koboko District, the President cited key infrastructure projects, including the completed Vurra–Arua–Koboko and Atiak–Adjuman roads; rehabilitation of the Olwi–Pakwach and Karuma–Olwi roads; and the ongoing Koboko–Yumbe–Moyo road, expected to be completed by 2027. He also announced plans to establish an industrial park in Koboko to boost manufacturing and job creation.
On education, President Museveni reported that Koboko has 59 government primary schools, six government secondary schools, and 10 schools in the municipality. Of the district’s 49 parishes, 28 have government-aided primary schools. He directed that every parish must have a government primary school and every sub-county a government secondary school.
He expressed concern that some head teachers continue to charge fees despite the introduction of free education in 1996. “I saw the danger coming in 1995 and introduced free education, but they didn’t listen,” he said. To address this, he revealed that the government has set up free skilling centres and will recruit over 50,000 teachers in the next government to close the staffing gap.
The President urged the people of Koboko to focus on household wealth creation, saying that while the country has made great strides in infrastructure, individuals must work to improve their own livelihoods.
“Development is there — tarmac, electricity, schools, hospitals — but all that is ours collectively. What is yours? In your household, there is either poverty or wealth,” he said.
First Lady Mama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Koboko for their massive turnout and patriotism. “This is the day the Lord has made; we must rejoice. Thank you, Koboko, for sending a strong patriotic message — your numbers speak for themselves,” she said, calling for 90% support for the NRM and President Museveni in the forthcoming elections.
Hon. Hamson Obua, NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, applauded the President for restoring peace and stability in West Nile and for enabling the return of Ugandans who fled after the fall of Idi Amin.
Dramiga Samanya, NRM Chairman for Koboko District, thanked the President for entrusting local party structures with leading the campaign. He commended the NRM government for delivering peace, electricity, and improved road networks, and pledged overwhelming support from the people of Koboko.
