President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by First Lady Maama Janet Museveni, addressed thousands of supporters at the Arua Golf Course Grounds on Monday, urging continued backing for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to sustain peace, development, and national unity.
Welcomed warmly by residents from across West Nile, Museveni said the NRM has transformed Uganda from a nation once divided by conflict into one united under a shared vision of progress. He highlighted that one of the party’s major achievements since 1986 has been restoring peace and stability nationwide.
“The NRM opposed politics of sectarianism and marginalization. We built a national party that unites Ugandans regardless of tribe, religion, or gender. That is why we win on the first round,” Museveni said.
He added that this unity has enabled the creation of strong national institutions—including the army, police, judiciary, and civil service—all based on merit rather than identity.
Focusing on education, Museveni noted that Arua District and Arua City now have 120 government primary schools and 16 government secondary schools.
“In 1961, when I was at Ntare School, there was not a single A-Level school in Northern or Eastern Uganda. Today, Arua alone has several secondary schools. That shows the journey we have walked,” he said.
Museveni also recalled the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1996 and Universal Secondary Education (USE), ensuring free access to schooling for all Ugandan children.
“My intention was to provide free education in government schools. Some people misunderstood it, but we have continued to push for it,” he said.
The President highlighted government skilling programs, including State House skilling hubs, aimed at equipping youth with practical skills for employment and wealth creation.
“I started the skilling hubs under State House to teach young people practical skills. This is serious business—we are preparing our youth for a productive future,” Museveni said.
Emphasizing national development, he noted that both economic and social infrastructure are crucial, pointing to investments in roads, schools, hospitals, and electricity as the foundation for growth.
“Development has two sides—economic infrastructure and social infrastructure. You cannot build the economy without investing in education, health, and security,” he said.
First Lady Maama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Arua for their support, urging them to continue standing with the NRM to preserve peace and unity.
The Arua rally is part of President Museveni’s nationwide campaign under the theme #ProtectingTheGains, aimed at consolidating NRM achievements and preparing Ugandans for continued socio-economic transformation.
