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Multitudes welcome President Museveni in Karamoja
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By Our Reporter
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed willingness to consider pardoning youths from the Karamoja sub-region detained for cattle rustling and illegal possession of firearms.
“I am going to study the issue of pardoning these young people. I will discuss it with the army. I did not know that so many young people were involved,” Museveni said while addressing a rally at Kotido Grounds in Kotido Municipality on yesterday. The rally marked the conclusion of his performance assessment tour of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation initiatives.
The plea for the jailed youth was raised by Kotido Municipality MP Peter Abrahams Lokii, who revealed that many mothers in the region had approached him, pleading for their children to be pardoned.
In line with Article 121 of the Constitution, President Museveni has previously pardoned minor offenders. His potential intervention in Karamoja aligns with his broader agenda to foster peace and development in the region.
Observations from the tour
During his three-day tour of Karamoja, Museveni visited several farmers benefiting from the PDM program and met with leaders in Moroto. He noted a significant increase in Karamoja's population, which he attributed to government interventions such as immunization and peacebuilding.
“These days, when I come here, I thank God for the work the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has done in Karamoja. In 1996, the people supported NRM 100%, but the population was small. Now, it feels like I am in densely populated areas like Western Uganda or Buganda,” he remarked.
The President emphasized the importance of addressing water challenges in Karamoja, advocating for the construction of more valley dams and tanks to support domestic and agricultural needs.
“We need big valley dams to support the growing population, cattle, and crop irrigation. Some boreholes are helping, but they cannot handle the large number of cows or irrigation needs,” Museveni said.
Promoting the Parish Development Model
Museveni urged Karamoja residents to embrace the PDM program, which aims to eradicate poverty by supporting small-scale production. He cited successful examples of beneficiaries who have used the funds to invest in activities like livestock farming.
“Each parish receives UGX 100 million annually, designed to boost small-scale producers. If you get UGX 1 million, you can buy goats or cows. We are working to ensure the full amount reaches you without deductions by banks. You have no excuse to remain in poverty,” he explained.
Wealth creation vs. development
The President underscored the distinction between wealth creation, which benefits individuals, and development, which benefits entire communities.
“You can have wealth even in areas with little development. For instance, in Abim, Charles has wealth from his pigs despite the lack of tarmac roads. The pigs will still reach Mbale. Focus on creating wealth even when development is not immediate,” he said.
Education and Karamoja’s University plan
Museveni reiterated the government’s commitment to free education at primary, secondary, and technical levels in public schools. He criticized the imposition of school fees, which undermines the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs.
“Our plan is for day schools to eliminate accommodation costs, enabling the government to focus on paying teachers, building laboratories, and buying textbooks,” he said.
Regarding establishing a university in Karamoja, Museveni assured residents that plans are underway as part of a national strategy to have universities in all 18 regions of Uganda.
Political support for Museveni’s 2026 bid
At the rally, leaders in Karamoja moved a motion to endorse President Museveni as the NRM candidate for the 2026 general elections. Vice President Jessica Alupo also addressed the rally, echoing the region's appreciation for Museveni’s leadership and developmental efforts.
Torch Media Africa
