President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni drew thousands of jubilant supporters at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, where he delivered a powerful message centered on peace, wealth creation, and the transformation of the Acholi sub-region under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Waving yellow flags and chanting NRM slogans, the crowd filled the grounds as Museveni, the party’s presidential flag bearer, took to the podium and reflected on Uganda’s journey from war to stability.
“Uganda was at war for a long time, but now we have peace — not by accident, but because we built strong national institutions like the army and maintained unity in politics,” Museveni told the excited crowd. “Peace is the bedrock upon which all progress has been made.”
The President said the overwhelming turnout in Gulu was proof that the people of northern Uganda understood and appreciated the progress achieved under NRM leadership.
“When I see crowds like this, I know our message has reached the people,” he said. “We fought for peace, and now we must fight for prosperity — for every family to move from subsistence to commercial farming.”
Museveni listed major development projects in Acholi, including the Kampala–Gulu Highway, Karuma–West Nile Road, and Gulu–Nimule Route, as well as ongoing works on the Awere–Corner Kilak–Patongo road. He said these projects symbolize a new era of growth and connectivity.
“These roads are not just for movement — they are economic lifelines. We have also invested in electricity, water, railways, schools, and hospitals. That is what NRM means by socio-economic transformation,” he said.
The President called on citizens to embrace modern farming methods and reduce dependence on outdated practices.
“Our people work hard but use old methods. We must modernize agriculture, increase productivity, and build wealth in every homestead,” he emphasized.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to programs such as NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Entandikwa, and the Parish Development Model (PDM) — which he said are designed to empower households and strengthen local economies.
Museveni further urged Ugandans, especially the youth, to look beyond government jobs and explore opportunities in the private sector.
“Government jobs are only about 480,000, but factories employ 1.3 million people. Real job creation comes from industry, agriculture, and the private sector,” he said, adding that regional integration is vital for sustaining industries and export markets.
Gulu City NRM Chairperson, Gifter Aber, praised the President for his enduring commitment to Acholi’s recovery and development.
“Your Excellency, we thank you for empowering women, promoting education, and supporting programs that have lifted our people from poverty,” she said.
She highlighted that 87% of Gulu villages now have clean water, while the Presidential Skilling Hub continues to train youth in vocational skills. Over Shs 24 billion has been disbursed under PDM to more than 23,000 households, and 54 Emyooga SACCOs support 41,000 members.
The rally, held under the theme “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” drew senior NRM leaders, MPs, cultural chiefs, and thousands of supporters from across the Acholi sub-region.
Museveni concluded by urging the people of Gulu to safeguard the peace and wealth creation agenda.
“Peace is here. Development is happening. Now is the time to create wealth. That is our true victory,” he said, waving to the cheering crowd.
