President Museveni has commended the people of Teso for their resilience and contribution to peace.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Amuria District, President Museveni--who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni--said the people of Teso were key partners in the struggle to restore peace in Uganda.
"You people of Amuria and Teso are witnesses to what happened here. There is a place called Apopong where the UPDF destroyed Kony's army. That was the turning point of the war against Kony," the President recalled.
"In Anyara, Kalaki, we killed one of the notorious rebels called Tabuley. I want to thank the Arrow Boys who joined me in bringing peace here."
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The Arrow Boys were a local self-defense militia in Uganda, particularly in the Teso region, formed in the early 2000s to fight the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
Composed of ex-soldiers and local residents who used basic weapons like bows and arrows, they protected their communities from LRA attacks and played a vital role in restoring peace to the region.
President Museveni emphasized that peace was the foundation for Teso's current and future progress.
"Without peace, no development can take place. That's why we always emphasize peace first. It's the reason you can now talk of roads, schools, hospitals, and electricity," he said.
The president outlined the NRM government's achievements in improving road infrastructure in Teso, noting that the tarmacked roads from Soroti to Katine, Otuboi, and Lira, and from Soroti to Katakwi, Usuku, and Karamoja have greatly improved trade and movement in the sub-region.
He announced plans to close the remaining gaps in Teso's road network.
"We have already provided money to take the road from Katine to Ochero. But there are two more big gaps which we are going to work on -- Soroti-Amuria-Achanipi all the way to Otuke, and Kumi-Ngora-Serere up to Bugondo," he said.
"When I tell people in Kampala about those roads, they don't know them. But I know them because I used them when I was fighting Kony."
President Museveni added that electricity has reached most areas in Amuria, with ongoing efforts to extend distribution lines.
He also highlighted the expansion of safe water access, noting that 401 out of 528 villages in Amuria now have boreholes, while Amuria Town Council has a piped water system serving over 7,200 residents.
Under the NRM government's education policy, Amuria District now has 68 government primary schools and eight government secondary schools, providing Universal Primary and Secondary Education. The President said the goal is to ensure every parish has a primary school and every sub-county has a secondary school.
On health, President Museveni revealed that one hospital and ten Health Centre IIIs currently serve the 18 sub-counties in Amuria, with plans to upgrade and expand services.
"Plans are underway to upgrade Olwa, Abia, and Amolo Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs, and to construct new facilities in Ogongora, Asamuk, Wera, and Orungo," he announced.
Ongoing projects include upgrading Wera HCIII to HCIV and constructing a theatre at Orungo HCIII.
"We are working to ensure that every Ugandan has access to quality health services within a reasonable distance. We shall continue upgrading facilities, building staff houses, and using ICT to track medicines and reduce absenteeism among health workers," he added.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of wealth creation and production in sustaining development, urging households still outside the money economy to engage in productive activities.
"Twelve years ago, only 32% of Ugandans were engaged in wealth creation. The rest were outside the money economy," he said.
"I am glad that through our efforts, that figure has now dropped to 33%. I now appeal to the remaining 33% to join the journey of modern wealth creation."
He highlighted model farmers such as Joseph Ijala of Serere as examples of the success achievable through commercial agriculture. The President reiterated the four key sectors of wealth creation: commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT.
"When we talk of roads, schools, hospitals, and security, it is the wealth creators who make these possible through the taxes they generate," he explained.
President Museveni reaffirmed commitment to protecting the gains made over the last 40 years of NRM leadership while steering Uganda toward high middle-income status.
"Let us protect the gains we have made and aim for a qualitative leap into a high middle-income country," he said.
During the event, he handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairpersons, councillors, and other party candidates in Amuria District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections.
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The First Lady, Museveni praised the people of Teso for their loyalty to the NRM and encouraged them to safeguard Uganda's future through unity and responsible voting.
"We are proud of you, you look beautiful in yellow. We have come here to remind each other that we are one big NRM family," she said.
"We have a responsibility to our country and to future generations. On voting day, ensure that every family member and neighbor turns up to vote for the NRM so that we can continue building a stronger and united nation. Uganda will provide an example of an African country that is united and strong."
The NRM chairperson for Amuria District, Simon Peter Okello, thanked President Museveni for restoring peace in Teso and for the numerous development projects implemented under his leadership.
"Your Excellency, allow me to appreciate the peace and security that we now enjoy in Amuria. We also thank you for improving road infrastructure, creating administrative units, and establishing a value addition park in Amuria," Okello said.
