MUSEVENI: UGANDA’S PEACE IS A RESULT OF NRM’S DELIBERATE AND INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE

Koboko District — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed that Uganda’s enduring peace is not a product of luck or coincidence but rather the outcome of deliberate, consistent, and visionary efforts by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to build strong, inclusive institutions anchored in patriotism, unity, and African solidarity.

While addressing thousands of supporters at Ombachi Playground in Koboko District, the President emphasized that peace is the cornerstone of Uganda’s progress and development—attained through strategic leadership, merit-based governance, and national reconciliation.

“We have built strong institutions—starting with the army, the police, the prisons, the judiciary, the civil service, and academia. These are national institutions, built on merit and not favoritism,” President Museveni said.

He explained that the NRM’s approach to institution-building has been intentionally inclusive, ensuring that every district participates in national service.

“When recruiting for the UPDF, police, and prisons, each district is given a quota. This ensures nationwide representation and fosters national unity and ownership,” the President noted.

Museveni stressed that Uganda’s peace has been secured through a combination of strong security forces and political reconciliation. He underscored that while military strength is essential, it alone cannot guarantee stability without inclusive governance and unity among citizens.

“We’ve also used reconciliation to make peace. That is why, when assessing who truly stands for peace, remember that the NRM has unmatched credentials,” he stated.

Historical Perspective on Peace and Stability

The President delved into Uganda’s precolonial and postcolonial history, providing a sweeping overview of how true peace had eluded the region for centuries.

“Some people speak as if this region only came to life when the colonialists arrived. But I am part of one of the most indigenous communities in this area,” Museveni said. “Between 900 AD and 1400 AD, we had peace under the Bachwezi dynasty, which governed large parts of Uganda, Congo, northwestern Tanzania, and parts of Rwanda.”

He elaborated that names like Wamala and Ndahura—common across Uganda, Eastern Congo, and Tanzania—are legacies of the Bachwezi civilization. “After the collapse of the Bachwezi dynasty around 1400, our people were plunged into endless wars, fueled by the short-sightedness of traditional kings,” he explained.

Museveni added that even during colonial rule, Uganda was not fully pacified, citing persistent unrest in regions like Karamoja.

“The Karamojong kept raiding. After independence, things only got worse—first with the conflict between Mutesa and Obote in 1966, followed by Idi Amin’s regime from 1971 to 1979, and later the civil wars between the NRA and other groups from 1981 to 1986,” he recounted.

Restoring and Sustaining Peace

President Museveni said that when the NRM captured power in 1986, the country was fractured by multiple insurgencies and deep mistrust. However, through a balanced combination of decisive military action and national reconciliation, Uganda managed to rebuild stability.

“It’s not a coincidence that Uganda is peaceful now. It’s because of the deliberate and correct policies of the NRM,” he affirmed.

Museveni highlighted that under the NRM’s leadership, Uganda’s peace has endured for nearly four decades, creating an environment for economic growth, infrastructure development, and social transformation.

Peace as the Foundation for Development

The President emphasized that peace remains the bedrock of the NRM’s ideology and development agenda. He revealed that among the seven key priorities outlined in the current NRM manifesto, peace tops the list as the essential pillar for all other sectors to thrive.

“In our current manifesto, we outlined seven key points. I will talk about four today. The first is peace—and yes, it is true—the NRM has brought peace to this country for the first time in 500 years,” he declared, to the applause of the crowd.

Museveni called on Ugandans to safeguard the peace achieved through sacrifice and visionary leadership, reminding them that development can only flourish in an atmosphere of security and unity.

President Museveni’s message in Koboko reinforced the NRM’s central narrative—that Uganda’s transformation story is built on the foundation of peace, inclusivity, and institutional strength. His historical reflection underscored not only the fragility of peace but also the deliberate choices that have made it possible.

As the country gears toward the 2026 general elections, the NRM leader continues to rally Ugandans around the principles of stability, reconciliation, and national ownership, asserting that these remain the true cornerstones of Uganda’s progress and prosperity.