President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised Ugandans new reforms in wealth creation, education, health, and fisheries as part of his campaign message to consolidate the achievements of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) over the past 40 years.
Speaking at his first campaign rally in the Lango Sub-region, Amolatar District, President Museveni reflected on Uganda’s transformation under NRM, saying that the focus has always been on lifting households out of poverty and securing livelihoods.
The President recalled launching Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) after learning in 2013 that only 68% of Ugandans were participating in the money economy.
He shared success stories, such as a woman from Lira who turned a one-million-shilling grant into a thriving agribusiness.
Museveni urged Ugandans to change their view of employment, stressing that agriculture, fishing, and small businesses are just as valuable as government jobs.
“A farmer who feeds the nation has a job. Fishing is a job. When you create wealth, you also create jobs,” he said.
The President praised Uganda’s strong immunization programs, which have wiped out diseases like polio. However, he condemned the theft of drugs and mismanagement of the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
“These health centers are not in Congo or Sudan; they are here with us. Stop stealing drugs. I will set up my own spy network to catch those stealing government drugs and PDM money,” he warned.
Admitting that school charges have denied children access to free government education, Museveni pledged sweeping reforms, including:
Abolishing all school charges in government schools.
Recruiting 50,000 new teachers to address shortages.
Expanding Presidential Zonal Skilling Hubs, which offer free training in carpentry, welding, shoemaking, bakery, and construction.
He emphasized day schooling as the best model, with one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county.
“Boarding schools bring unnecessary costs that have nothing to do with education,” Museveni stressed.
Museveni reiterated his commitment to national unity, saying tribalism limits markets for Ugandan produce.
He also addressed a long-standing grievance in Northern Uganda, promising compensation of five cows per homestead for families affected by past conflicts.
“It will be done, slowly but surely,” he assured the crowd.
The President pledged more support for fishing communities through specialized SACCOs and encouraged fish farming in swamps instead of rice growing.
“In Limoto, fish farmers are earning over 70 million shillings. The government will raise money for fishponds in Lango, Teso, Busoga, and Bukedi,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among praised Museveni for restoring peace in Northern Uganda.
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua urged Lango residents to support Museveni’s bid to move Uganda toward middle-income status, revealing plans to build a technical school in Amolatar in memory of the late Latigo Olara.
Amolatar LCV Chairman Geoffrey Ocen requested upgrades to local health facilities and faster cattle compensation while vowing to deliver 100% of votes from Amolatar to Museveni.
