As thousands gathered at Madi-Okollo playground, an elderly farmer stood proudly beside a row of electricity poles stretching across his village. He recalled a time when darkness fell early, and the sound of a radio was a luxury. “Now, I can charge my phone and follow the news,” he said with a grin — a simple sign of change that tells a much bigger story.
Moments later, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took to the stage, smiling as he surveyed the crowd. “When I come to Madi-Okollo and see electricity poles, a functional murram road, and people holding phones, I feel very happy,” he said. The audience erupted in cheers.
The President, who is also the NRM Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2026 elections, had come to celebrate the district’s progress — and to promise more. He praised the area’s transformation under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), saying that peace, infrastructure, and education have created a foundation for socio-economic growth across the West Nile region.
Infrastructure as a Path to Prosperity
President Museveni emphasized that Madi-Okollo’s visible progress — from roads to power lines — reflects deliberate NRM policy decisions. “In the coming government, if we are elected, the physical and social infrastructure will definitely be expanded,” he told supporters.
He cited completed projects such as the Vurra–Arua–Koboko Road and the Atiak–Adjumani–Umi Road, alongside ongoing works on the Nebbi–Alwii, Pakwach Town roads, and the Karuma–Olwiyo route. These, he said, are designed to open trade routes, improve tourism, and raise household incomes.
“Madi-Okollo is no longer isolated,” he said. “Roads mean trade, electricity means production, and both mean prosperity.”
Education for Transformation
The President also highlighted education as a pillar of his campaign message. The district currently has 95 primary schools — 69 government-funded — and 16 secondary schools spread across 32 parishes.
“In the next government, if you vote for us, we shall recruit over 50,000 teachers to fill gaps and stop the excuse of fees in government schools,” he pledged.
He added that his administration has created Presidential Zonal Skilling Hubs to train young people in practical skills for self-employment. “We are training the youth not just to look for jobs, but to create them,” Museveni said.
Healthcare and Social Services
On health, Museveni promised to upgrade Rhino Health Centre III to a Health Centre IV and to build additional facilities to serve remote communities. “Health is part of infrastructure — without it, even peace cannot be enjoyed,” he said.
He linked improved health access to Uganda’s broader agenda of balancing “peace, infrastructure, and wealth creation.”
Fighting Poverty Through the Parish Development Model
The President devoted part of his address to the Parish Development Model (PDM), a flagship initiative targeting household poverty. “Our next main agenda is household poverty alleviation,” he said.
So far, UGX 14 billion has been disbursed to Madi-Okollo under the PDM, reaching nearly 13,800 households — about 36% of all homes in the district.
He explained that the government plans to introduce special funds for university graduates, religious and cultural leaders, and even fishermen, to promote inclusive economic empowerment. “For areas near water like Madi-Okollo, fish farming is a goldmine waiting to be tapped,” he said.
First Lady Applauds Grassroots Progress
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni joined the President at the rally, commending residents for embracing government programs.
“The NRM government has built the foundation on which Uganda stands today — schools, hospitals, and roads — and is now going into people’s families to promote wealth,” she said. “Let us continue building on this peace and unity.”
A District on the Move
According to the 2024 National Population Census, Madi-Okollo is home to 178,051 people, organized into 12 sub-counties, 46 parishes, and 287 villages.
In the 2021 elections, President Museveni polled 69.5% of the district’s votes. The number of registered voters has since risen from 63,404 to 74,805, with polling stations increasing from 121 to 185 — clear signs of growth in civic participation.
The district’s access to safe water now covers 78% of villages, thanks to projects like the Aliboro Solar-Powered Irrigation System, which is 35% complete. Plans for an earth dam in Yachi and a communal valley tank in Peera are also underway.
Environmental programs, including the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) and Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation (FIEFOC), have supported over 2,600 households and led to the planting of more than 324,000 tree seedlings.
Promise for the Future
NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda Hamson Obua praised President Museveni for “taking the lead in transforming Uganda and specifically Madi-Okollo.” He pointed to roads, electrification, and social services as evidence of the NRM’s practical achievements.
As the rally ended, chants of “Tova Ku Main!” swept through the crowd. For residents like the farmer who now charges his phone under an electric pole, the slogan means more than politics — it means staying the course of progress.
“Madi-Okollo is moving forward,” he said quietly. “We just need the roads, the schools, and peace to continue.”
