Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has asked the people of Karamoja sub-region to vote NRM in the forthcoming 2026 general elections to continue protecting the gains in the last five years.
Speaking during his campaign rally at Jubilee 2000 Secondary School in Karenga District on Saturday, Museveni said he was happy the areas was now transforming from cattle rustling what it was previously known for.
“The first achievement has been peace. It was not easy. Many of our people had been misinformed about what is important. Some thought that carrying a gun and stealing cows was bravery, but I had to show them that true strength is building a future,” Museveni said.
He explained that it wasn’t easy to stop cattle rustling as some sections had made it commercial and were profiting from the vice.
“Some people who were making money out of dying of these people didn’t mind when they died. They continued with rustling. Cattle rustling was no longer traditional one for marrying but commercial one. Market for stolen cows had come up. These people told me how you know they are stolen cows you buy cheaply. If it is your own cow you bargain. The stolen cows were giving low prices and were being taken to Kampala at Kalerwe. “
According to Museveni, another problem was disarming the warriors as many with guns insisted that if it was to be done successfully, one also had to disarm those in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.
“Some people said we cannot disarm the Karamojong unless the Turkana, the Ethiopians, and the Somalis are disarmed. I told them it was none of my business to disarm the whole of Africa. They said we needed to allow the Karamojong remain with guns to maintain balance of terror. I said couldn’t be part of that criminality. I would disarm my own citizens and if others came, we would shoot them. They may come once or twice but when they get good canes they don’t come back,” he said.
Museveni said he endeavours at disarming the warriors and fighting cattle rustling have since paid off with peace enjoyed in Karamoja.
He said this is witnessed by the increase in the population in Karenga and the entire Karamoja sub-region.
“The population is now going up, even in Karenga because there are no more deaths by warriors and immunization.”
He said peace has led to development of several infrastructure including roads, electricity , health facilities and schools among others.
“ Electricity has arrived here. This was not easy. By the time NRM came, electricity was stopping in Soroti and on this side in Lira. We didn’t have money because economy had collapsed but by using prioritization, we brought electricity from Soroti to Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong then here in Karenga. Then telephones. You now have telephones, even cattle riders are using telephones.”
Museveni said the remaining issue for Karamoja are the roads but said government has started on them, noting that tarmac has already reached Kitgum and Moroto , noting that the plan is to work on the Kitgum-Namukora-Karenga-Kidepo road as well as the Moroto-Kotido- Kaabong road.
“That problem is already partially dealt with but will soon be completed.”
He also noted that government is to construct more primary and secondary schools as well as health facilities in Karenga.
He however reminded them of their cardinal role to create wealth by using government funds including Emyooga and Parish Development Model.
Created in 2019, Karenga is the newest district in Karamoja, having been carved out of Kaabong to bring the total number of districts in the sub-region to nine.
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