MUSEVENI: PEACE AND UNITY HAVE TRANSFORMED KARAMOJA UNDER NRM LEADERSHIP President pledges more schools, health facilities, and water projects as region attracts investors

Moroto/Kotido – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the people of Karamoja for embracing peace and stability, saying that the transformation the region is experiencing today is a direct result of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s visionary leadership's and commitment to unity. 

Speaking at a campaign rally in Moroto District on Monday, President Museveni—accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni—said that the peace enjoyed in Karamoja has become the foundation for population growth, improved service delivery, and growing investor confidence.

“When I come to address public meetings in Karamoja now, I feel very happy,” the President said. “In the past, I would only find a small crowd of ten people. But now the population has grown from 190,000 in 1980 to over 1.5 million. This growth is because of peace and better health services, especially immunisation.”

Four Pillars of NRM Transformation

Museveni outlined four key pillars of the NRM government’s contribution to Karamoja’s development: peace and unity, infrastructure development, improved social services, and household prosperity.

He said the NRM’s politics of unity—built on rejecting sectarianism—has been central to building a strong and disciplined army, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which has guaranteed lasting peace and stability across the region.

“The NRM brought peace because of our politics of unity,” Museveni explained. “We don’t believe in sectarian politics. This unity has allowed us to build a strong army and stable institutions that protect peace.”

Infrastructure Driving Growth 

The President highlighted several infrastructure projects undertaken by government in Karamoja, noting that these developments are stimulating economic activity and attracting private investment.

He cited the tarmacking of major road networks linking Soroti–Moroto–Nakapiripirit–Kaabong–Kidepo, the extension of electricity from Soroti to Karenga, Kotido and Kaabong, and the construction of an international airport in Kidepo—which he said will be as big as Entebbe International Airport.

“We are building economic and social infrastructure—roads, electricity, and communication—to make Karamoja a hub of opportunity,” Museveni said. “Because of peace and infrastructure, investors are coming to build hotels near Kidepo National Park.”

He revealed that both local and foreign investors have shown increasing interest in tourism and hospitality ventures in Karamoja due to the region’s improving security, natural beauty, and abundant wildlife.

Expanding Education and Health Services

On social services, the President announced plans to ensure that every parish in Moroto District has a government primary school, and every sub-county has a secondary school. Currently, Moroto has 16 government primary schools and three secondary schools.

In the health sector, Museveni revealed plans to upgrade key facilities, including Loptuk Health Centre III, Nadunget Health Centre III, and Rupa Health Centre II, to enhance access to quality healthcare services.

He also underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring access to clean water, both for domestic and livestock use. The President said 133 out of 233 villages in Moroto now have piped water, and that several dams and valley tanks are being constructed or rehabilitated.

“I have always said, water—especially for our animals—is life. We shall continue building and rehabilitating dams so that no family or herdsman suffers from lack of water,” he assured.

Focus on Household Wealth Creation

Museveni reminded residents that government infrastructure alone does not guarantee prosperity, urging families to take advantage of the peace and facilities to engage in productive household enterprises.

“Even if the government builds roads, electricity, and telephones, you can still be poor if your household is not productive,” he said. “What matters most is how you use these opportunities.”

He reiterated that the NRM’s long-term message has always been to empower families to create wealth, emphasizing that peace and good governance have laid the groundwork for economic transformation.

First Lady Calls for Continued Support

Earlier, Maama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Karamoja for maintaining peace and urged them to re-elect President Museveni, describing him as the architect of the region’s transformation. “Karamoja has peace today because of President Museveni’s leadership,” she said.

“Let us protect that peace by giving him votes to continue the work he has started.”

Earlier Campaigns in Kotido

While campaigning in Kotido earlier, the President delivered a similar message, stressing that the NRM’s strength lies in its unity and rejection of sectarianism. He also addressed issues of development and wealth creation, warning sections of the army against involvement in illegal cattle trade.

Museveni revealed that some soldiers had been participating in the sale of stolen cattle, undermining the disarmament process. He explained that despite initial resistance from some individuals who argued that Karamoja could not be disarmed while neighbouring communities in Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia remained armed, government persisted and succeeded.

He commended local leaders who supported the initiative, saying their cooperation helped restore peace and stability in the region.

Campaign Trail Continues

The President will on Tuesday campaign in Amudat District, before proceeding to Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk on Wednesday as he continues his engagements across the Karamoja sub-region.