President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has concluded his campaign tour of the Teso sub-region with a firm commitment to expanding infrastructure, strengthening public services, and consolidating the hard-won peace that has enabled the region to prosper.
Addressing a large gathering in Bukedea, President Museveni reflected on Teso’s transformation from a region once troubled by conflict to one now enjoying stability and growth. He recalled how he once camped at Nyero Rock while leading the fight against rebel groups, noting with pride that the Ugandans he once fought to protect have since built a primary school on that very ground.
“Yesterday, I was in Kumi, and I remembered when I used to camp at Nyero Rock to fight the rebels. I am glad to hear that my people have built a primary school there,” he said, highlighting the contrast between the past of insecurity and the present of progress.
The President emphasized that peace has made Uganda a sanctuary of safety in the region, even amid conflicts in neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda, he noted, now hosts over 1.9 million refugees testifying to its reputation as an “island of peace.”
A key focus of his address was infrastructure, especially roads, which he described as the lifeblood of economic development. Museveni pointed out that Teso is now connected by major tarmacked road networks linking Tororo to the South Sudan border and Moroto to Bugisu. He announced new projects that will link Teso to Karamoja and Northern Uganda, including the Soroti–Abim road and the Kumi–Ngora road, which he promised will be completed soon.
“Once these roads are completed, all of Teso will be linked with Karamoja, with Northern Uganda, and with the rest of the country,” he assured.
President Museveni also highlighted government investments in rural electrification and water systems. Most sub-counties in Teso are now connected to the national power grid, and work is ongoing to supply electricity to more remote areas such as Kocheka and Kowena. On water, he noted that 80% of Bukedea’s villages now have boreholes and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the Kyoga–Gweri–Teso Water Scheme to deliver clean, piped water to every village.
On education and health, the President reiterated the NRM government’s commitment to ensuring that every sub-county has a secondary school.
He cited progress in Bukedea, which now has 98 government primary schools and 9 secondary schools, with ongoing construction of additional facilities such as Kabarwa and Bukedea Town secondary schools. He also outlined plans to expand health centers in remote areas like Komuge, Aligoi, and Kowena to ensure equitable access to healthcare.
The Belt Road to Karamoja
In his closing remarks, President Museveni unveiled what he called a transformative “Belt Road” project—a comprehensive road network linking Teso and Karamoja to enhance trade, movement, and regional integration. He also pledged enhanced irrigation systems such as the Achomai Irrigation Scheme to support agriculture, prevent flooding, and boost food production during the dry season.
And in classic Museveni style, he left the crowd with a reflective message:
“Do you sleep on the tarmac road at night? No, you sleep in your homes. The road is not the destination, it is the way to progress. And that progress brings you closer to your dreams.”