President Museveni Pledges Key Road Upgrade, Defends NRM Legacy at Lango Mobilisation Rally

President Museveni, Denish Hamson Obua, Speaker Anita Annet Among and senior presidential advisor Sam Engola at Lango college

Lira, Uganda |7th December 2025 – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to consider upgrading the crucial 42.4km Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi road to tarmac, a move described as vital for unlocking trade, connectivity, and tourism in the Lango sub-region.

The commitment was made during a large-scale National Resistance Movement (NRM) gathering at Lango College on Sunday, which also served as a platform for the President to mount a robust defence of his government’s development record and rally support ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The push for the road project was championed by Northern Uganda NRM Vice Chairperson and Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua. He presented four key justifications: shortening travel distances to Acholi and Karamoja, promoting trade by easing goods movement, boosting tourism via links to attractions like Kidepo Valley National Park, and enhancing regional integration.

“Lango remains at less than 5 per cent tarmac connectivity, the lowest in Uganda, despite leading in other social indicators,” Obua noted, urging the President to annex the road to existing major corridors.

In response, President Museveni endorsed the proposal for consideration. “The road would boost trade and mobility within Lango,” he stated, indicating the project could begin with first-class marram construction, followed by eventual tarmacking.

“Look Around and See the Progress” – Museveni Defends NRM Record

The meeting transitioned into a spirited defence of the NRM’s legacy, with President Museveni directly challenging critics who claim the party has “done nothing” for Uganda.

“There are people who always say NRM has done nothing,” the President told the assembly of NRM flag bearers and leaders. “I challenge them to tell people where the rising industry came from if it’s not an NRM achievement.”

He catalogued his government’s “foundational successes,” including establishing peace and stability, extensive infrastructure development, and nationwide electricity expansion. “Are they not seeing the development?” he asked rhetorically, urging Ugandans to recognize the tangible progress made over the decades.

The event underscored a unified NRM strategy linking development promises to electoral mobilisation. President Museveni made a direct appeal for a seamless chain of support from the grassroots upwards.

“You cannot vote for Members of Parliament when you are not voting for the President,” he said, stressing the need for votes for NRM candidates at all levels to ensure the continuity of development projects.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among applauded the President for bringing stability to Lango and emphasized the need for a “wheel of unity” from the presidency down to village structures. She also advised women aspirants to contest in their ancestral home constituencies for a permanent political base.

Denis Hamson Obua issued a direct charge to the Lango electorate, framing their votes for President Museveni as a “continuation pact for development.”

Leaders at the meeting reviewed development milestones delivered since the 2012 Lango Conference, including the establishment of Lira University, the upgrade of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, the construction of Akilibua Stadium, and the initiation of several strategic roads.

President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to these and future projects, assuring equitable development across the sub-region. He also revealed plans to significantly increase facilitation allowances for Local Council (LC) leaders, rewarding effective mobilisation.

The Lango College meeting served as a strategic fusion of legacy defence and campaign mobilisation. By coupling a significant infrastructure pledge with a forceful recounting of national achievements, President Museveni and the NRM leadership aimed to consolidate support in the sub-region, directly linking the promise of roads.