The energy in Agago District was palpable, a mix of celebration and serious political business, as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni brought his campaign trail to a resonant close in the Acholi sub-region. Standing before a sea of supporters at the Paul Lokech Memorial Grounds, the National Resistance Movement’s flag bearer did not just ask for votes; he presented a case, built on a foundation of past triumphs and a meticulously detailed blueprint for the future. With the next leg of his journey set to begin in Karamoja, the President used his final stop in Acholi to solidify his message under the ambitious campaign theme: “Securing the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.” His address was a powerful blend of reflection, data-driven accountability, and a firm, almost fatherly, directive on the path forward, centering on the holy trinity of his government’s promise: peace, development, and wealth creation.

He began with a stark reminder of a past that many in the audience would remember all too well—a time when the region was scarred by the terror of rebel activity and the disruptive theft of cattle rustling. President Museveni, in a narrative style that resonates deeply, recalled a previous visit to the area where he confronted the issue head-on. “The last time I was nearby, in Baralegi, we discussed the issue of cattle rustling. What I discovered then was that the army had the capacity to end the problem, but it wasn’t being fully used,” he stated, drawing a simple but effective analogy. “When you want to eat food, you must ensure there’s sauce and water; otherwise, it can choke you. The same applies to work even when you have the capacity, you must use it well.” He detailed the strategic shift that followed, moving from overworked soldiers on foot to the sophisticated use of air surveillance, or UAVs, to track and neutralize threats from the sky. This, he credited, is why peace has finally returned, a achievement made possible not just by a strong army but by a united community willing to provide information and a political movement, the NRM, built on unity over sectarianism.

The President’s commitment to security extended even to the challenges posed by the natural world, showcasing a government attentive to the granular details of people’s lives. He pointed to technical solutions like electric fences in national parks that have stopped elephants from destroying crops. More strikingly, he addressed the lingering issue of protected kraals for cattle with a modern solution. Expressing surprise that the practice persisted, he outlined a new, technology-driven protocol. “Quick communication from kraals to command centers allows UAVs to respond immediately to any cattle theft,” he explained. “For instance, if cows are stolen in Patongo at night, UAVs can track the rustlers until they are captured. This is how technology strengthens our security systems.” This image of drones guarding livestock in the darkness perfectly encapsulated his broader message: the NRM is not just about stopping wars, but about deploying every tool available to protect the daily livelihoods of its citizens.

Having firmly established the peace that makes progress possible, President Museveni then pivoted to the tangible fruits of that stability: development. He recounted the story of extending the national electricity grid, a saga of national self-reliance. “Electricity used to stop in Lira. I decided that it must be extended all the way to West Nile through Kitgum,” he said, noting that when international partners like the Swedes withdrew funding for a critical stretch, the government’s response was definitive: “We said: no problem, we shall do it ourselves. This is why prioritization is key.” On education, he displayed a commander’s grasp of local statistics, acknowledging both progress and glaring gaps. He noted that Agago has 117 parishes but only 42 government primary schools, leaving 75 communities without one, and issued a direct instruction to the Minister of Education to study and rectify this imbalance, affirming the goal of a government school in every parish.

Yet, for all the talk of infrastructure and institutions, the President delivered his most crucial, and perhaps most challenging, message: public works do not automatically erase personal poverty. In a moment of blunt honesty, he told the crowd, “Do not be diverted by roads, electricity, and other public infrastructure. Those are collective assets; poverty is personal, and wealth is personal. Each individual, family, and company must take responsibility for creating wealth.” This was the core of his economic philosophy. To bridge this gap, he listed a succession of government programs—Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, and the flagship Parish Development Model (PDM)—all designed as financial lifelines to ordinary Ugandans ready to roll up their sleeves. “These programs are not for the rich; they are for ordinary Ugandans ready to work and improve their livelihoods,” he emphasized, framing state support as a catalyst for personal initiative, not a substitute for it.

The local leadership, embodied by Agago District NRM Chairperson Walter Oketta Ogwang, welcomed the President with gratitude, affirming the connection between the national leader and the local constituency. And the evidence of that connection was laid bare in a impressive list of impacts. The numbers spoke volumes: over 36,000 households in Agago, more than half the district, have already benefited from the Parish Development Model, with a staggering Shs. 36 billion disbursed. The Emyooga initiative has reached thousands more, and compensation for lost cattle has put billions of shillings back into the pockets of over 1,300 claimants. While challenges remain, particularly in healthcare access with 13 sub-counties still lacking facilities, the plans for upgrades and a push towards making Agago a hub for sustainable irrigation and agriculture painted a picture of a region on the rise.

As the event drew to a close, graced by a who’s who of NRM leadership and local dignitaries, President Museveni’s final plea was one of partnership. He urged the people of Agago not just to support the NRM with their votes, but to actively engage with the wealth creation programs his government has put in place. His message was clear: the peace has been won, the infrastructure is being built, but the future of prosperity now rests in the hands of every individual, family, and community, working in tandem with a state that promises to provide the tools for the journey.