KATAKWI, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, held a campaign rally Saturday at Katakwi Booma Grounds.
Addressing thousands of supporters, Museveni commended the people of Katakwi for being steadfast witnesses to the peace established by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
“The people of Katakwi are the best witnesses of peace because I camped here when everyone had fled to IDP camps,” Museveni said. “I remember visiting Ngariam, where people were massacred by the Karamojong, and Achowa camp. Today, all that is history. The NRM defeated the rebels and cattle rustlers, and we removed 41,000 guns from Karamoja. That is why people are back in their villages.”
The president said the NRM’s primary contribution to Uganda’s transformation was peace, followed by development in economic and social infrastructure.
“In Teso, we have worked on major roads such as Soroti-Moroto and Soroti-Lira. We also intend to construct the Katine-Ochero road and the Soroti-Amuria-Obalanga-Achanipi-Otuke road,” he stated. “I’m glad that the Katakwi-Toroma road now has a ferry. We are going to be strict with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Local Government to ensure the [1.3 billion shillings] sent annually for murram road maintenance is properly utilized.”
On water access, Museveni said Katakwi has 550 villages, of which 342 have boreholes, representing 62% coverage. He pledged that in the next term, every village would get at least one borehole.
He listed existing piped water systems at Abwenget, Kapujan, Usuk-Koritok, Toroma, Magoro and Katakwi Town Council, noting expansion plans are underway. He also highlighted completed and ongoing water projects, including irrigation systems in Ongongoja and Usuk sub-counties and flood-mitigation valley tanks in Aleles, Magoro and Okuronyo.
On education, the president said Katakwi has 78 government primary schools and 10 government secondary schools, yet the district has 109 parishes and 20 sub-counties.
“We shall ensure that every parish has a government primary school and that the remaining 11 sub-counties without secondary schools get them,” he pledged.
In the health sector, Museveni noted that Katakwi has one hospital, one Health Centre IV and 10 Health Centre IIIs. Ten sub-counties still lack Health Centre IIIs, but the government has embarked on upgrades, he said. Ongoing works include theater constructions at Toroma HCIV, Akurao HCII and Katakwi General Hospital.
On wealth creation, Museveni cautioned citizens to distinguish between development and wealth.
“NRM brings development — roads, schools, electricity — but wealth must be created by you in your homes,” he said. “Development is ours; wealth is yours.”
He said government restocking efforts were initially delayed by legal challenges but that, following consultations, each household will now receive five cows.
On youth empowerment, the president said he established skilling hubs to provide free six-month skills training.
“These youth are now producing hospital beds, shoes and other items that were being imported from China and Italy,” he said. “This is the practical way to fight poverty.”
First Lady Janet Museveni thanked God for the opportunity to meet the people of Katakwi and for the unity of the NRM family. She urged Ugandans to rededicate themselves to serving their country with peace and patriotism.
She praised President Museveni for his leadership and encouraged supporters to emulate his example to sustain peace across Uganda.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, also the woman MP for Katakwi District, thanked the president for his visionary leadership and commitment to transforming the district.
Other NRM leaders, including Anita Annet Among and Calvin Echodu, assured the president of overwhelming support from the region, citing his appointments of local leaders and wealth creation programs.
