Oyam — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, has praised the people of Oyam District for their outstanding performance in implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM), pledging to expand access to education and continue transforming rural livelihoods under his new term.
Addressing thousands of jubilant supporters at Boma Grounds in Oyam on Tuesday, President Museveni commended local leaders and residents for their commitment to wealth creation and community development.
“I thank the people of Oyam for the warm welcome,” President Museveni said. “Oyam District was ranked first in Northern Uganda and fourth nationally in implementing the Parish Development Model. So far, Shs 15.26 billion has been disbursed to 15,358 beneficiary households across 74 parishes. Out of 110,658 households, 56,340 were in the subsistence economy — and PDM is transforming that.”
The President noted that the Parish Development Model, which channels funds directly to the grassroots to support income-generating activities, is steadily moving households from subsistence to the money economy.
“We introduced the PDM so that every household can participate in wealth creation,” Museveni explained. “This is how we shall build prosperity from the bottom up. The people of Oyam are already showing that this model works.”
Museveni was welcomed by an energetic crowd that defied heavy rains to attend the rally. Senior NRM leaders, including Vice Chairperson for Northern Region Hamson Obua, Members of Parliament, and Secretariat officials Awich Pollar, Director for External Relations, and Emmanuel Dombo, Director of Information, joined him at the event.
“Not even the heavy downpour could dampen the spirit of the people,” the NRM party said in a social media message. “The crowd remained steadfast to hear the President speak about wealth creation, education, health, and improving the road network in the sub-region.”
Expanding Education Access
On education, President Museveni outlined significant progress in Oyam and pledged further improvements if re-elected.
“Oyam now boasts 109 government and 160 private primary schools, as well as 10 government and 10 private secondary schools,” he said. “If we are given the opportunity in the new Kisanja (term of office), we shall ensure that all parishes have government primary schools and all sub-counties have government secondary schools.”
He emphasised that universal access to education remains a key pillar of the NRM’s agenda, aimed at empowering youth and building human capital for sustainable national development.
President Museveni also reiterated his government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and social services in Northern Uganda, including roads, health facilities, and access to clean water.
The rally at Oyam Boma Grounds marked the President’s resumption of campaign activities in the Lango sub-region. The electrified atmosphere, chants of “Mzee! Mzee!” and the sea of yellow-clad supporters underscored NRM’s enduring grassroots appeal in the north.