President Yoweri Museveni has rallied voters in Adjumani West Constituency to support the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, highlighting key achievements ranging from peace to infrastructural development.
Mr Museveni boasted of the government’s investment in roads, schools, health facilities and electricity, as well as what he described as the restoration of peace and democratic governance in West Nile.
‘We have tarmacked the road from Atiak to Laropi, and we are now going to Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko,’ President Museveni said.
He added that works were ongoing on the Yumbe-Manibe road and the 103km Koboko-Moyo road, while the 76km Nebbi-Arua road was being rehabilitated.
‘We are going to tarmac Laropi-Moyo-Afoji, 36km, including the Laropi Bridge,’ he said.
The President also disclosed that the government plans to upgrade the Nebbi-Goli road and tarmac the Arua-Kulikulinga-Obongi road.
During rainy seasons, this section becomes impassable, and the Obongi County MP, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo and the outgone MP, Dr George Bhoka, have in the past pushed for the upgrade but in vain to date.
On electricity, Mr Museveni said power had already been extended from Gulu to Adjumani and Moyo, as well as to other parts of West Nile through the Lira-Pakwach-Nebbi-Arua corridor.
Responding to concerns about unreliable electricity supply, especially its intermittent supply and poor connectivity to rural areas, the President attributed the interruptions partly to ageing poles and wires, saying the government was working to address the problem.
‘You are talking about its irregularities, but that is due to old poles and wires, and they are working on it,’ he said.
However, President Museveni cautioned residents against measuring development only by physical infrastructure, urging them to focus more on household wealth creation.
He said roads, schools, health centres and electricity were indicators of development but did not automatically translate into improved household incomes.
‘I told you that there is a difference between development and wealth creation. All these things we are talking about-the roads, the schools, the health centres and the electricity-are development,’ he said.
‘But at night you don’t stay on the road, you don’t sleep there. You go back to your house, and the poverty you left there in the morning is waiting for you.’
Mr Museveni was on Tuesday campaigning for NRM candidate Mr James Leku Pili at Paridi Stadium ahead of Thursday’s by-election for Adjumani West Constituency, seeking to replace Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali, who passed on in July.
Two candidates, Ben Anyama and Patrick Tandrupasi, have withdrawn from the race, leaving Mr Leku and Independent candidate Mr Gasper Draga tussling for the parliamentary seat.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, who also addressed the rally, called for discipline and unity among party members, particularly during the final stages of the campaign.
Calls for infrastructure
Presenting a memorandum on behalf of residents, Mr Charles Akuku asked the government to prioritise several infrastructure projects in Adjumani and neighbouring areas.
Among the requests was the pending construction of the Laropi Bridge over the River Nile to improve connectivity between Adjumani and Moyo.
Residents also called for the tarmacking of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji road, the Arua-Kulikulinga-Obongi-Moyo-Adjumani corridor and the renovation of Adjumani General Hospital.
Before the rally, President Museveni visited Takwa Mosque in Adjumani Town Council, where he laid a wreath on the grave of Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali.
The President described the late General as a wise leader who guided the people of West Nile well.
The rally coincided with President Museveni’s 82nd birthday, prompting senior NRM officials and supporters to welcome him with a birthday song as he arrived at the stadium.