📸What Museveni told Otuke electorate

OTUKE - On arrival at Orum Primary School playground in Otuke town, Otuke district, President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate told the people who gathered that if re-elected, his government will never make the mistake of using the money from selling oil from the Albertine region to import luxury goods like whisky, wigs and perfumes.

“Under my government, oil money will never be used to import whisky, wigs or perfumes and such things from China. That oil money will help us transform infrastructure-roads, railways, electricity, and some of the schools,” the jovial president said, drawing applause from the gathering.

President Museveni said the biggest challenge in infrastructure remains the road network, and he promised to tarmac the road to Lira town. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Present to receive him were the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, NRM secretary general Richard Todwong, and government chief whip, Hamson Obua, several ministers and Members of the party Central Executive Committee (CEC).

He said Otuke, which was created in 2009 from Lira district, had no electricity, but said he is happy that some places are now connected.

According to Museveni, the biggest challenge in infrastructure remains the road network, and he promised to tarmac the road to Lira town.

“We spent a lot of money to facilitate our army to fight Kony, Lord’s Resistance Army rebels, which we would have used for working on the roads. Fortunately, NRM is here, and now with petroleum coming, it will be quicker and easier,” he explained, adding that priority is going to be put on tarmacking the Soroti–Amuria–Obaranga–Otuke road.

The president emphasised that the practice of promising and never fulfilling will stop this time. 

“We are going to stop the indiscipline of starting things and not completing them. Soon you will see machines working on these roads with good murrum as we wait for tarmac.”

He, however, asked people to work hard to improve their household incomes and get rid of poverty, as they wait for the government to improve the infrastructure and stop the practice of oversleeping.

“Even if we tarmac the roads, are you going to sleep on them at night? You will go back to your home and find the poverty you left in the morning waiting for you.”

Recalling the old days, the President said he said he first heard of the place in 1979 through Benson Ogwang, a Langi who was then serving as a bodyguard to former President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote.

“When I came into government in 1986, this area was in endless struggle with rebels and cattle rustling, but we disarmed the rustlers, fought rebels like Alice Lakwena, Joseph Kony and Otti, and brought back peace here,” adding that Otuke became the centre of peace and struggle against the rebel ruminants, with the army base at Barlege camp.

Among the NRM, the second National Vice Chairperson said Otuke people were happy because the NRM government got them out of camps.

“People here say they are not going to join a protest vote because you are going to improve their roads, increase the Parish Development Model (PDM) money, and bring more development.”

Also present were the Otuke district woman MP and flag bearer, Susan Jolly Abeja, Otuke East County MP and celebrated Olympian, Julius Acon Bua, who doubles as NRM district chairperson, and all the flag bearers.

Later on his X account, the president wrote, “This afternoon in Otuke, I was delighted to reconnect with my neighbours. We have faced challenges together, fighting against Kony and cattle rustlers who had disrupted the peace in our area. Now, it is our time to pursue lonyo (wealth), and no one will deter us from achieving this goal”.

He added, “Regarding cattle compensation, I recently consulted with leaders in Lango. I proposed to implement a flat approach, suggesting that each household receive five cows. While some people had some reservations about this idea, the wananchi voiced their support, saying that Museveni is right. Teso is on board, Lango is supportive, and I am waiting for feedback from Acholi. I have urged the government to begin planning for this initiative.”

“I thank the people of Otuke for the warm welcome I received today, Apoyo Matek! 

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Here is a picture highlight from Museveni's Orum Primary School playground rally in Otuke district, as captured by Eddie Ssejjoba;