Museveni Promises Better Roads and Water Solutions as He Rallies Karamoja Residents in Karenga

KARENGA, UGANDA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of Karenga District in Karamoja Subregion to embrace government programmes aimed at eradicating household poverty, emphasizing that peace and stability have laid the foundation for economic transformation in the region.

Addressing a large crowd at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School Grounds in Karenga on Saturday, President Museveni — the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential Flagbearer — reflected on the remarkable progress made in Karamoja over the past four decades under NRM leadership.

Peace and Security: The Cornerstone of Karamoja’s Transformation

President Museveni began by recounting the difficult years when cattle rustling and insecurity destabilized the subregion, causing loss of life and livelihoods. He said that through the government’s successful disarmament program, peace has now been restored, allowing communities to rebuild and children to grow up without fear.

“Where cattle rustling once brought death and fear, we brought security and order through successful disarmament,” Museveni said. “Now, Karamoja enjoys peace, our children are in school, health services have improved, and electricity has reached Karenga. The next phase is better roads.”

He noted that the government is committed to improving connectivity in the region by upgrading the Kitgum–Namukora–Karenga–Kidepo road and the Moroto–Kotido–Kaabong route, which will boost tourism and trade in the mineral-rich and wildlife-abundant subregion.

Water and Infrastructure Development

Addressing the persistent challenge of water scarcity, President Museveni revealed that the government has sunk boreholes and constructed dams across Karamoja, with more water projects planned to ensure that both people and livestock have sustainable access to clean water.

“To solve the issue of water in Karamoja, we have been sinking boreholes and constructing dams — and more are coming,” he assured.

Wealth Creation and Poverty Eradication

The President expressed concern that some Ugandans remain poor despite the availability of government support programs, attributing this to a lack of participation rather than absence of opportunity.

“In Uganda, sometimes poverty is voluntary, yet the NRM is begging you — please get out of poverty,” Museveni emphasized.

He encouraged the people of Karenga and the entire Karamoja Subregion to embrace commercial agriculture and fully participate in wealth creation initiatives such as Emyoga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).

“If you have land, use it to produce for both home consumption and sale. That’s how we will move from subsistence to prosperity,” he said.

Fighting Cattle Rustling and Misuse of Youth

Museveni also recounted how he personally engaged with some of the karacunas (youths) involved in cattle rustling, persuading them to abandon the practice. He exposed a network of individuals who had commercialized the vice, using young people to steal and sell cattle for personal gain.

“Cattle rustling was no longer the original one — it had become commercial,” the President explained. “I thank the army, patriotic Karimojong, political leaders, and the Women Peace Forum for supporting my efforts to end this fraud.”

The Road Ahead: Consolidating the Gains

The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to consolidating the gains made in Karamoja through continued investment in infrastructure, education, health, and water projects, as well as initiatives to empower youth and women.

He concluded his address with a call to unity and optimism for the region’s future.

“Alakara noi! (Thank you very much),” Museveni said, as the crowd cheered. “The peace we have today must be used to create wealth, educate our children, and build a better Karamoja.” 

President Museveni’s visit to Karenga is part of his campaign trail in the Karamoja Subregion, where he is popularizing the NRM Manifesto and engaging citizens on the government’s long-term development agenda ahead of the 2026 General Elections.