NWOYA.For decades, residents of Nwoya and the Acholi sub-region lived under the shadow of war and displacement.
Today, thanks to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government policies, peace is now being enjoyed in the region.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the NRM Presidential Flag bearer, recounted this journey today during a campaign rally at Anaka Primary School playground where he addressed thousands of supporters.
The campaign is running under the theme: “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status”.
“You people, why are you here? Why don’t you cross the Nile and go to the other side?” President Museveni asked, recalling his first visit to Anaka when many families were living in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps.
“Even the people on the other side were saying, ‘Museveni is bringing Kony here.’ I explained that Kony was just one person; the majority of Ugandans were not against peace,” he said.
“A few years later, I found a big town called Bweyale, populated by the very people I had encouraged to leave the camps. They had gone, settled, and enjoyed peace until their areas were safe again. That is how the NRM has been able to bring and maintain peace in Uganda.”
President Museveni emphasized that peace is the foundation for all development.
“After peace, we focus on development, which has two parts: economic infrastructure and social infrastructure,” he said.
He highlighted the economic progress in Nwoya, noting the construction of tarmac roads connecting towns, repair of the railway up to Gulu and Pakwach, expansion of electricity networks, and widespread access to telephones.
On social infrastructure, he said, “There are now many government and private schools and health facilities across the district. In 1991, Nwoya’s population was small, and many children were dying from preventable diseases. The NRM said no more children dying. That is our second great achievement, peace and development.”
Despite these achievements, the President warned that poverty remains a personal challenge.
“Do not be diverted by the roads, electricity, and other public infrastructure. Those are collective assets, they belong to all of us but poverty is personal, and wealth is also personal,” he said.
President Museveni urged residents to utilize government programs that support economic empowerment.
“From the 1960s, some of us in the NRM have been campaigning for wealth for everybody. Over the years, we have sent money to help you create wealth, through Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and more recently Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM). Please use these opportunities well. They are not for the rich; they are for ordinary Ugandans ready to work and improve their livelihoods,” he emphasized.
On education, President Museveni stressed the importance of free education in government schools.
“Those who don’t support my policy of free education are creating a time bomb, conserving ignorance, and destroying the future of our children along with their potential. You have seen in just six months in the Presidential Skilling Hubs what these children are producing,” he said.
“Some of these policymakers will even deny themselves a place in heaven, because when a child says, ‘My parents died, but I want to go to school’. Who will take responsibility? Uganda is one big family. If a parent dies, the family of Uganda, through its government, must take care of those children. That is what the NRM stands for. Let us stop this wastage of human resources. These children are our greatest wealth.”
He also committed to further improve health infrastructure.
“On health, you want us to upgrade Health Center III facilities, and we shall ensure that happens.”
President Museveni concluded the rally by urging the people of Nwoya to embrace both collective infrastructure and personal initiatives to improve their livelihoods.
“Peace has been restored, development is ongoing, but wealth is personal. It is up to each of you to use the opportunities the government provides and transform your lives,” he said.
Hamson Denis Obua, NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, lauded the President’s impact in Nwoya and the Acholi region.
“The history of Nwoya and Acholi is well documented. People come in big numbers to listen to your message as the NRM flag bearer, but they also come to thank you for delivering them from the difficult times. Apart from restoring peace, you have championed development. You are the alpha and omega of ensuring that this region progresses,” he said.
Ms Mego Adokorach, the NRM District Chairperson, added that programs such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and skilling hubs have empowered youth and women.
“Your Excellency, we want you to come and see these activities firsthand. Visiting these farmers and witnessing the results will encourage us even more,” she said.
NRM Initiatives and Impact in Nwoya:
According to the Nwoya fact sheet, government programs have reached thousands of households in Nwoya. Under the Parish Development Model, 13,343 households have received Shs.13.34 billion out of 53,086 households in the district. Emyooga SACCOs support 13,405 members across 32 groups, with Shs.1.38bn disbursed so far.
In the education sector, Nwoya hosts 44 government primary schools and 12 private schools, along with six government secondary schools providing Universal Secondary Education and Post O-Level Education. Three seed secondary schools are under construction, reducing gaps in secondary education coverage.
Health infrastructure includes; one general hospital and seven Health Center IIIs, with additional HCIII construction and upgrades ongoing. Water coverage has reached 81% of villages, with piped water and sanitation systems in major towns including Purongo, Nwoya, and Anaka.
Irrigation schemes are supporting crop production, including the Lutuk and Tangi systems, as well as solar-powered projects at Lapem and Got Okwara. Major road projects such as Gulu-Atiak, Olwiyo-Gulu, and Acholibur-Musingo have been completed, improving connectivity across the district.
The event was graced by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, as well as thousands of supporters.