Museveni holds radio talk show with journalists
CAPTION: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (seat center in military jacket) pose for a photograph with journalists at State Lodge, Sorotion Tuesday November 4th, 2025. (PPU Photo).
By Stephen Wandera Ouma
SOROTI – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held a radio talk show with journalists from across the Teso Sub-region at State Lodge, Soroti.
During the discussion on Tuesday November 4th, 2025, the President reflected on the achievements of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and outlined the key contributions that have transformed Uganda under its leadership.
He began by emphasizing that peace remains the foundation of all progress.
“If you want to talk about people’s ability to bring peace, the reason for peace is first of all to have good politics — politics of interest, not politics of identity,” he said.
“The past political parties based their interests on tribes and religion. One of the reasons we were able to create peace is that we rejected that kind of politics. Because of peace, we have been able to build strong national institutions like the army, police, and intelligence services, where we do not look at one’s tribe. Therefore, the number one contribution of the NRM is peace, which has led to all these things.”
President Museveni noted that the second contribution of the NRM is development.
“You have all seen what the NRM has done — the roads, electricity, hospitals, and schools,” he said.
He added that the third contribution is wealth creation, which is often misunderstood.
“Many people have been confusing development with wealth creation,” he explained.
“Yes, development like roads and electricity is good, but wealth creation is vital for an individual because development is ours, while wealth creation is for the individual.”
The President highlighted job creation as the fourth major contribution by the NRM government.
“We have told you that jobs come from commercial agriculture, Industry, ICT, and services,” he said, adding that individuals must embrace these opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
The fifth contribution, he said, is expanding markets.
“Our internal market is not enough, and so we need the East African market,” he said.
“Now we have almost a surplus of everything — for example, there is a fruit factory here in Soroti, the Teju Fruit Factory. So if people in Teso, Lango, and Acholi all wake up and plant fruits and our internal market is not enough, where shall we sell our fruits? Therefore, the markets of East Africa and Africa are crucial, and leaders need to talk about this.
He also emphasized political integration as an essential part of Uganda’s future growth and unity.
On the issue of cattle restocking, President Museveni said he had engaged the government on the matter and that local communities in Teso, Acholi, and Lango had agreed to his proposal.
CAPTION: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni adress journalists at State Lodge, Sorotion Tuesday November 4th, 2025. (PPU Photo).
“I talked to the government, and the local communities of Teso, Acholi, and Lango have agreed to my idea of five cows per homestead,” he said.
“The next thing is now to start the process, and I assure you it will happen. It may take time, but it will happen.”
Turning to NRM candidates contesting as independents, President Museveni said the practice is politically harmful.
“Politically, it is bad for an NRM candidate to contest as an independent because you put the official NRM flag bearer at a disadvantage and give their opponent a chance to win,” he said.
“It is really criminal and politically bankrupt. Even when they are only NRM, it is bad, yet there is a better way — because our primaries were like a trap since people line up behind the candidates in full glare of everyone. So if someone alters results and you have your reliable agents bring the proof, we shall find out and arrest those involved.”
On the Parish Development Model (PDM), the President promised to increase funding once implementation shows consistent progress.
“The important thing is for it to work. Now that there is progress with PDM, we shall increase it.”
Regarding the creation of new administrative units, he said the government must balance priorities.
“It is okay to create new districts, but we must deal with the issue of prioritization,” he said.
“What is more important — to build a road for the people or to give a new district? The districts will be granted, but prioritization is key because when the road is bad, it affects many people.”
On education, President Museveni expressed concern over the continued charging of fees in government schools despite his call for free education.
“I now want a consensus. I wonder why people have not agreed to my idea of free education. It is the reason I established skilling hubs — to show everyone that children can get free education at zero cost.”
He also announced plans to establish a graduates’ fund to support young people who have completed university but lack employment.
“The graduates’ fund will also be accessed at parish level.These graduates — their parents have invested a lot of money in paying school fees, and so they need a fund to help them start their journey.”
The NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Mr. Calvin Echodu, thanked the President for what he described as an enlightening discussion on the NRM Manifesto and its core contributions to Uganda’s progress.
Meanwhile President Museveni has concluded his Presidential campaign trail in the Teso Sub-region with a grand rally at Emokori A Cell, Emokori Ward, Bukedea Town Council in Bukedea District. Addressing a mammoth crowd, President Museveni thanked the people of Bukedea for their unwavering support to the National Resistance
Movement (NRM) and for standing firmly behind the Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among.
N RM supporter during the rally adressed by President Museveni.
He described her re-election as a clear demonstration of the people’s confidence in tested leadership.
“I want to thank you, the people of Bukedea, for supporting Anita Among and showing how shallow and bogus NUP is. The lady who was put to contest against her was even her relative, but they didn’t know. I congratulate Anita Among,” President Museveni said.
The President reminded the gathering that the first major contribution of the NRM is peace, recalling his days in the bush when he used to camp in the area. “Because of the correct ideology, we were able to end all these wars. That is how Uganda has become an island of peace, hosting millions of refugees from our brother countries,” he said.
He emphasized that the second contribution of the NRM is development, citing major achievements in economic infrastructure such as roads,electricity, and telecommunications.
“You people of Bukedea, once we complete all these roads, Teso will be fully connected to Karamoja. Electricity is already here — almost every sub-county in Bukedea now has power. Bukedea Town Council has electricity, Kachumbala has electricity, and the remaining sub-counties will be connected in the coming government,” he assured.
On water, the President said the government’s plan is to ensure every parish in Bukedea has access to clean water.
“The big plan we have is the Lake Kyoga Gravity Flow Scheme, which will cover Ngora, Kumi, Katakwi, Bukedea, and Kapelebyong. Teso is easy to deal with because it’s flat — the water will be pumped by gravity,” he explained.
He added that 80 percent of Bukedea’s rural villages already have access to safe water, with two major piped water systems — Bukedea Town Council and Kachumbala Town — completed, serving more than
28,000 people combined.
“We are drilling new boreholes, rehabilitating old ones, and protecting springs to increase access. Our target is 100 percent coverage,” the President said.
President Museveni tries our a spear and a shield to protect the gains achieved during his regime.
He further revealed that new piped water systems are being developed in Aloet and Amus Towns, and the Bukedea Gravity Flow Scheme, which will serve both Bukedea and Kween districts, is underway.
The President also highlighted ongoing water-for-production projects such as the Acomai Irrigation Scheme, valley dams, and small-scale irrigation systems in Komuge and Malera Sub-counties to boost agricultural productivity.
On education, President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure every parish has a government primary school and every sub-county has a government secondary school.
“Bukedea now has 98 government primary schools and nine government secondary schools. However, 96 parishes still lack a government primary school, and 10 sub-counties do not have a secondary school.
We are addressing this through the construction of new Seed Secondary Schools,” he said.
He noted that two new Seed Secondary Schools are currently under construction in Bukedea and that Bukedea Secondary School will be rehabilitated under the programme for traditional schools.
On health, the President reported that Bukedea District has two Health Centre IVs and nine Health Centre IIIs, with plans to expand coverage.
“We shall upgrade Aminit Health Centre II to Health Centre III and construct new health centres in Komuge, Aligoi, Kwarikwar, and Koena sub-counties. We shall also continue with immunization, ensure drugs
are tracked using ICT, and build houses for health workers,” he said.
He added that the government will continue improving service delivery by equipping all health units with modern diagnostic tools and medical supplies, while sustaining efforts to eradicate malaria and other preventable diseases.
On transport, President Museveni mentioned the Tororo–Gulu–Pakwach railway line, which will boost regional trade and connect Teso to northern Uganda and other parts of the country.
Turning to wealth creation, President Museveni reminded the people that while development is essential, household wealth is even more important.
“Development is good, but wealth creation is what transforms a family. You don’t need tarmac roads to succeed. We have examples of people who listened to my message on wealth creation and are thriving even in remote areas,” he said.
He noted that government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga were designed to help people transition from poverty to prosperity, and more support will continue to flow.
“In the case of Teso, Acholi, and Lango, the government will resume restocking by giving each household five cows as compensation for the cattle they lost during the wars and cattle rustling,” he announced.
The President also highlighted job creation as another key NRM achievement.
“Where do jobs come from? They come from wealth creation — in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and services like hotels. When we create wealth, we create jobs,” he emphasized.
Concluding his address, President Museveni made a passionate appeal for free education in all government schools.
“I started this program in 1996, but some head teachers continue to charge fees in government schools. That’s why I started skilling hubs where children are trained for six months for free,” he said.
“I would like NRM people to notice three things: one, children are dropping out because of school fees; two, when I started skilling hubs, those children became productive within six months; and three, they are
now producing items we used to import from China. That is why I urge all NRM leaders to stop fees in government schools,” he stressed.
The Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, thanked the President for dedicating time to the Teso Sub-region during his campaign and reaffirmed the region’s unwavering support for the NRM.
The Second National Vice Chairperson (NRM), Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, hailed the President for the prevailing peace and harmony in Teso, thanking him for ending wars and cattle rustling.She pledged overwhelming support for President Museveni in the coming election, calling for a block vote for him and all NRM candidates.
Mr. Epilo Isaac, the NRM Chairperson for Bukedea District, expressed gratitude to the President for the enormous development projects implemented under his leadership and pledged 99.99 percent support for him in the forthcoming election.
