President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer in the forthcoming 2026 general elections, has promised to address the long-standing problem of poor road infrastructure in Zombo District and to further expand other economic and social facilities in the area.
The President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, pledged on Saturday 11th, October 2025, while addressing a campaign rally at Zombo Upper Primary School playground. The rally drew thousands of residents from across the district and surrounding areas as the NRM leader sought to consolidate support in the West Nile sub-region.
President Museveni told the cheering crowd that his government has already made concrete plans to rehabilitate and upgrade the main road network in Zombo, saying the project will commence next year.
“The contract for the construction of the road from Nebbi to Zombo will be signed in April 2026. It will then be followed by the road from Zombo to Vura,” President Museveni revealed, drawing loud applause from supporters.
He explained that the road from Nebbi through Goli to Zombo and onward to Vura is part of the wider national road network development plan that the NRM government has been implementing progressively across the country.
“When NRM came into power, the tarmac road ended at Karuma. We have since extended it to Gulu, and from there to Koboko. From Malaba up to Bundibugyo, from Nimule to Kisoro, the tarmac now stretches across Uganda. The Nebbi–Zombo–Vura Road is part of this plan,” President Museveni said.
He dismissed claims that the government had ignored the area, noting that national priorities had first focused on opening up the main transit corridors before extending to interior roads such as those in Zombo.
“The Nebbi–Goli road is only 16 kilometers and from Goli to Vura is 118 kilometers. You cannot say NRM cannot do that because we have already done over 1,000 kilometers elsewhere,” he said, adding that maintenance of existing murram roads would continue until all major road projects are completed.
President Museveni emphasized that road connectivity is vital for trade and cross-border relations, especially for a district like Zombo which shares boundaries with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
Peace and Stability:
President Museveni used the rally to underline the NRM’s track record in ensuring national stability, asserting that peace remains the foundation for all development efforts.
“It is only the NRM that has managed to secure peace from border to border because of our politics of unity and caring for the people,” he said.
He recalled that the NRM’s roots go back over six decades, when he and other young activists broke away from the old political parties such as the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Kabaka Yekka (KY) after realizing their limitations.
“NRM has been active for 65 years. We saw the problem with the old parties — they were based on religion, tribe, and sectarianism. That is why they failed to manage the country. You cannot build a national army or achieve stability through divisive politics,” President Museveni stated.
He cited past instability in Northern Uganda and West Nile, saying that the old armies collapsed because they were built along tribal lines.
“Because of sectarianism, even good soldiers like Brigadier Hussein were killed. But now we have peace because of two things — unity and a strong national army,” President Museveni said.
He reminded residents that, being close to DRC and South Sudan, they have firsthand experience of the instability in neighboring countries and should appreciate Uganda’s peace.
“You know what happens in Congo and South Sudan. Refugees come here because we have peace and stability. That is why NRM must continue,” he said.
Expanding access to education in Zombo:
On education, the President pledged to ensure that all sub-counties in Zombo District have at least one government secondary school within the next term.
Zombo District currently has 15 sub-counties, of which seven have government secondary schools, while eight still lack one. There are eight government secondary schools and one private secondary school serving a total enrollment of about 3,831 students.
“In the next term, we shall ensure that all sub-counties without a government school get one,” President Museveni assured.
He pointed to the ongoing construction of four Seed Secondary Schools, Atyak, Abanga, Kango, and Alangi — which will significantly reduce the gap once completed.
For primary education, the district has 92 government primary schools and 14 private schools spread across 61 parishes, though 17 parishes still lack a government primary school.
President Museveni said government efforts will continue until all parishes are adequately covered.
Health services:
The President also addressed concerns over limited healthcare services in the district, promising to elevate Paidha Health Centre III to Health Centre IV and to follow up on plans for establishing a district hospital in Zombo.
“I will take up the issue of your district hospital,” President Museveni assured the crowd.
On wealth creation, President Museveni urged residents to take full advantage of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government initiatives designed to lift households out of poverty.
“Even if we tarmac the roads, and you have no wealth in your homes, it will not benefit you. Everyone must participate in wealth creation,” the President said.
He explained that NRM’s philosophy emphasizes both development — such as public infrastructure — and wealth, which is personal and generated within households.
“NRM from the beginning added the word ‘wealth’ because it is private and personal. When you go back home after using a tarmac road, poverty will welcome you unless you are productive,” President Museveni said.
He noted that Zombo District, with 61 parishes, has so far received Shs 18.7 billion under PDM. Of this, Shs 18.3 billion (97.7%) has been disbursed to 18,646 beneficiary households, representing about 26% of the total 71,491 households in the district.
President Museveni said the government plans to increase PDM parish SACCO funding by Shs 15 million to support local leadership and to ensure that more families move from subsistence to the money economy.
“What I appeal to you is that every family should get out of poverty. Once you have wealth, you will be able to buy more goods, pay for electricity, and support churches and mosques,” he said.
“In football, we have players and spectators. In wealth creation, we don’t want spectators — everyone must be a player.”
The President also announced plans to establish a special fund for university graduates who have spent at least two years without employment to enable them to start their own enterprises. He further hinted at creating a fund for church and mosque leaders to support their work in community mobilization.
On her part, Maama Janet commended the people of Zombo for supporting government programs and reaffirmed the commitment to improving the education sector.
“I thank you for the warm welcome. Let us continue to vote for NRM so that we keep the peace and unity that our children and grandchildren deserve,” she said.
“Uganda must remain united and free from divisions. The refugees we host are a reminder that our peace should never be taken for granted.”
Consistent support for NRM:
Zombo has historically been a stronghold of the NRM, having consistently voted for President Museveni in past elections.
In the 2021 presidential elections, President Museveni secured 45,578 votes, representing 76.08% of the total 64,591 votes cast. The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate polled 9,111 votes (15.2%), while other candidates shared 5,217 votes (8.8%).
At the time, Zombo had 123,432 registered voters, with a voter turnout of 52.3%.
According to the Electoral Commission register for 2025, the district now has 149,412 registered voters and 363 polling stations, up from 220 in 2021 — reflecting a significant growth in voter registration and administrative expansion.
Zombo District, with a population of 312,621 according to the 2024 population census, has two constituencies, 15 sub-counties/town councils, 61 parishes, and 752 villages.
Despite its strong NRM support base, local leaders acknowledged that poor road infrastructure remains a major challenge affecting service delivery and mobilization.
President Museveni’s rally in Zombo followed his campaign meeting earlier in the day at Namrwodho Primary School in Nebbi District.
The NRM presidential flag bearer launched his West Nile campaign trail in Pakwach earlier in the week, focusing on consolidating support and reinforcing NRM’s message of peace, development, and prosperity.
The Zombo event was attended by several senior government and party officials, including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Minister of State for Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Dennis Hamson Obua, and NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Region Hon. Jonard Asiimwe, as well as Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and the general public.
Hon. Obua urged residents to vote for President Museveni and NRM to sustain the gains made in peace and infrastructure development.
“President Museveni knows the plans he has for Zombo District, including the roads and education. Let us protect the peace and development that Northern Uganda has enjoyed for the first time since independence,” Hon. Obua said.
The NRM candidate will resume his campaign rallies on Monday next week.
