Bukedea District was drenched in yellow excitement on Wednesday afternoon as President Yoweri Museveni brought his campaign tour of the Teso sub-region to a colorful close. The atmosphere at the district headquarters was electric, a sea of yellow-clad supporters waving flags and chanting NRM slogans as the president arrived shortly after midday to a hero’s welcome. He was received by a high-powered delegation that included Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda Calvin Echodu, and the party’s Secretary General, Richard Todwong.

Taking the podium to address the jubilant crowd, Museveni thanked the people of Bukedea for their loyalty to the National Resistance Movement and for standing firmly behind Speaker Anita Among, who is set to return to Parliament unopposed. Speaking in a mix of English and Ateso, the president reminisced about his early military days in the region, recalling nights spent at Nyero Rock in Kumi as he battled insurgents. He told the crowd that the peace they now enjoy was hard-won, emphasizing that stability remains one of the NRM’s greatest achievements. “I remember when cattle rustlers would cross Lake Bisina to terrorize people in Ongino and Koliri,” he said. “But through our correct ideology and cooperation with the people, we defeated that chaos. Today, Uganda is at peace from corner to corner.”

Museveni went on to praise Uganda’s stability, contrasting it with the unrest in neighboring countries. “While there are guns and wars in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda remains an island of peace,” he said. “Whenever trouble tries to cross our borders, we deal with it immediately. That’s why we are able to host 1.9 million refugees who have found safety here.”

With peace secured, Museveni told residents, the government has since focused on building the country’s economic backbone through infrastructure development, roads, electricity, piped water, and communication networks. He proudly listed the major roads constructed across the region, linking Teso to the rest of the country. “From Tororo to the border with South Sudan, from here to Moroto, and another from Moroto through Nakapiripirit to Bugisu, all tarmacked,” he said. “We even built you a road from Tirinyi through Pallisa and Mukongoro so you no longer have to go through Mbale.” He revealed that only three major roads remain under planning to complete Teso’s connection with Northern and Eastern Uganda, including the vital Soroti–Amuria–Abim link that will strengthen trade and regional integration.

The president also expressed satisfaction with the expansion of electricity coverage, saying most sub-county headquarters in Bukedea are now connected to the national grid. On education, Museveni noted that of the district’s 152 parishes, 56 currently have government primary schools while 96 still lack one. He said the district has 98 public primary schools and 16 sub-counties, of which six have government secondary schools, with two new seed schools under construction to close the gap. On the health front, Museveni said Bukedea has two health center IVs and nine health center IIIs, with plans underway to upgrade Aminit Health Center II to a Health Center III and establish new facilities in Komuge, Aligoi, Kwarikwar, and Koena sub-counties.

Turning to wealth creation, the president urged residents to focus on productivity and embrace government initiatives designed to lift them out of poverty. “If you want to succeed, teach people the four-acre model,” he said. “That’s where wealth begins. Government jobs are few, only about 400,000. But factory jobs are already 1.3 million. Jobs come from wealth, not the other way around.” He encouraged locals to make use of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga programs to boost their incomes.

Museveni revealed that Bukedea’s 152 parishes have received Shs46.6 billion under the PDM program, with Shs44.6 billion already disbursed to over 45,000 beneficiaries out of nearly 56,000 households. Under the Emyooga initiative, the district has 36 SACCOs with over 25,000 members, who have collectively received Shs1.72 billion to support small enterprises. “These programs are not just handouts,” he said. “They are engines for wealth creation. Use them wisely to change your lives.”

Speaker Anita Among, who doubles as NRM’s second national vice chairperson, thanked the president for his continued support and affection for Bukedea, describing the district as “his second home.” Her words were met with loud cheers from the crowd. “We are here to celebrate the love you show us, Your Excellency,” she said. “You have walked with us, developed us, and believed in us. You can count on Bukedea’s support when the time comes.”

In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, Among presented three cows to President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, drawing applause from the crowd. The event ended in a carnival-like atmosphere as supporters danced, sang, and waved yellow flags high into the afternoon sun, a vivid reminder that in Bukedea, NRM’s color still shines brightest.