Museveni Hails Amudat’s Progress, Calls for Continued NRM Support to Safeguard Peace and Development

Amudat, Karamoja Sub-region — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday urged the people of Amudat District to remain steadfast in their support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), emphasizing that the ruling party has worked tirelessly to bring peace, stability, and development to the Karamoja Sub-region.

The President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, addressed thousands of enthusiastic residents who gathered in Amudat Town for the campaign rally. The event was marked by chants of praise and renewed commitment to the NRM’s vision for Uganda.

Janet Museveni: “NRM is Your Government”

Before the President’s speech, the First Lady expressed gratitude to the people of Amudat for their consistent loyalty and overwhelming support in past elections. She lauded the district for voting almost unanimously for the NRM and urged them to repeat the same in the upcoming elections.

“Thank you for proudly voting NRM almost 100%. We celebrate Amudat in particular and Karamoja in general for that vote,” Maama Janet said. “I trust that even this time, we will make sure that Amudat votes 100% for the President and 100% for the whole line-up of NRM leaders.”

She reminded the residents that the NRM government is their own and has worked relentlessly to restore peace in Karamoja, transforming it into a peaceful and secure region.

“The NRM government is your government. It has worked so hard to make sure Karamoja becomes peaceful like any other part of Uganda,” she said. “Please make it your responsibility to ensure that everybody votes so that we protect our gains and take a qualitative leap for the poor of Uganda, including Karamoja.”

The First Lady called upon residents to keep faith in the NRM’s long-term development agenda, assuring them that unfulfilled national programmes would be realized in the coming term.

“All those programmes that are very important to Uganda, which have not yet happened, can then happen in the coming kisanja,” she noted.

Museveni: “Karamoja’s Transformation is a Miracle”

Taking the podium to a thunderous welcome, President Museveni commended the people of Amudat for their transformation journey from insecurity to stability, describing it as a “miracle” that symbolizes the success of the NRM’s policies.

“If you want to know that miracles are possible in Africa, come to Karamoja and come to Amudat,” he said. “When I see that the population of Amudat has grown from 20,000 to over 200,000, I thank God for being part of that miracle.”

The President reflected on Uganda’s historical political challenges, pointing out that before the NRM came to power, constituencies and administrative boundaries were disorganized, leading to unfair representation.

“Before the NRM, constituencies were created ad hoc. We insisted that each constituency must correspond with a county, and that is how Upe became a constituency,” he explained.

Seven Key Achievements of the NRM

President Museveni outlined seven major contributions the NRM government has made over the past 40 years, highlighting peace and security as the foundation for all other developments.

He recalled the struggle to disarm the Karamojong, noting that the operation was critical in ending years of armed cattle rustling and insecurity in the region.

“Some said you cannot disarm Karamoja unless you disarm the Turkana, Pokot, Topoth, or even people in Sudan and Ethiopia. But I told them I am not here to disarm Africa — I am here to disarm my people,” Museveni said.

The President revealed that Uganda had recently barred Turkana herders from crossing into the country after they killed three Ugandans, including a government surveyor. He said he had asked Kenyan President William Ruto to ensure that the victims’ families are compensated.

“If these criminals don’t have money, the Kenya government must pay,” he stated. “After the elections, I will come with President Ruto to Moroto to perform a cleansing ceremony for the blood that was shed.”

Infrastructure and Development Projects 

Museveni emphasized that the NRM’s focus on infrastructure — including roads, water, and electricity — continues to be a cornerstone of Karamoja’s transformation.

“We now have electricity, telephones, and roads reaching Nakapiripirit and soon coming to Amudat. We have solar-powered irrigation systems and valley dams that support both livestock and crops,” he said.

However, the President expressed concern that access to borehole water in Amudat remains at only 18 percent, directing the Minister for Karamoja Affairs to urgently investigate and address the problem.

He also highlighted ongoing projects such as the construction of 20 new valley tanks and several solar-powered irrigation schemes, affirming that such initiatives demonstrate the NRM’s dedication to improving the livelihoods of Karamoja residents.

Museveni Warns Against Poor Road Maintenance

The President cautioned local leaders against neglecting road maintenance, insisting that no major road in the region should ever become impassable.

“I have warned the Minister of Works and the Minister of Local Government — I don’t want to hear again of a major road that is impassable,” Museveni said firmly.

He noted that effective maintenance of infrastructure is essential for sustaining development gains and ensuring that services reach all corners of the sub-region.

President Museveni’s message in Amudat was one of gratitude, reflection, and renewed commitment. He called upon the people of Karamoja to safeguard the peace they have achieved and to continue trusting the NRM’s leadership as the vehicle for national transformation.

With Amudat’s rally marking another milestone in the President’s nationwide campaign trail, the event reaffirmed the NRM’s deep roots in Karamoja and its vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive Uganda.