When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was addressing thousands of supporters at Alebtong Primary School on October 3, 2025, his message to the people of Lango was both reflective and forward-looking: “Guard the gains of liberation, unity, and development.”
For decades, the Lango sub-region endured painful chapters of history marked by war, cattle raids, and displacement. Museveni says, those scars are slowly healing under the foundation of peace and progress built during the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) leadership. He urged the community to secure those achievements for the future.
“The message of the NRM goes back almost 65 years, from the 1960s when we were still in the students’ movement,” Museveni told the crowd. “NRM with Uganda and Africa has been about liberation, unity, peace, and development.”
From Turmoil to Stability
The President reminded Lango residents of Uganda’s turbulent past, recalling the dictatorship of Idi Amin, the brutality of the LRA, and divisions sown by sectarian politics. He stressed that the NRM had always opposed disunity.
“When DP and UPC divided the UNLF between 1979 and 1980, we opposed Iddi Amin because we wanted unity,” he said. “Since then, you have never heard of one tribe massacring another in the army. Even those who were not with us, we brought peacefully to our side.”
Museveni emphasized inclusivity, noting progress in women’s participation in leadership. “In 1962, Uganda had only three women in Parliament, yet women are 50% of the population. We have since changed that,” he said.
Building Peace and Infrastructure
The President credited Uganda’s stability to the discipline of the UPDF, which recruits from every district. He also outlined infrastructure gains, promising new roads in Lango and Karamoja to spur trade and mobility.
“When we came into government even without enough money, we worked on the Tororo–Mbale–Soroti–Dokolo–Lira–Kamdini road. Today we are completing Rwenkunyu–Masindi Port–Apac–Lira–Puranga, and soon we shall work on Lira–Aloi–Apala–Alebtong–Abim,” he noted.
Museveni also reminded supporters that it was under NRM that Uganda discovered oil after decades of failed exploration by colonial powers. “Once production starts, Uganda will earn an extra $2 billion annually. I will not allow that money to be wasted on whiskey and perfumes. It will go to roads, railways, electricity, and schools.”
Delivering Services in Alebtong
Museveni pointed to electricity expansion, telecommunication growth, and access to programs such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and youth funds as evidence of NRM’s impact.
“On electricity, Alebtong didn’t have electricity before NRM. Today you can see it,” he said. “When NRM came to government, we had 23,000 telephone lines only. Today, we have 28 million telephones.”
Education remains a priority, with 76 government primary schools serving over 100,000 pupils in Alebtong alone. “Some parishes still lack schools, but we shall work on it,” Museveni promised.
He also praised commercial farmers as examples of transformation. “Byamukama earns 55 million shillings a month from poultry,” he said, urging more Ugandans to join the money economy.
Voices of Support
The rally drew senior NRM leaders who echoed Museveni’s call. NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong stressed that the party remains focused on everyday lives. “NRM is about your hoes, your hospitals, your schools, your children attend, and the roads you use. We are with you,” he said.
Chief Whip Denis Obua rallied the region behind Museveni: “Your Excellency, you know where we are, where we came from, and where we are going. I ask my people to support President Museveni, and we shall not regret.”
The event was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee members, MPs, cultural leaders, religious leaders, and thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
