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Arua City — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Maama Janet Museveni on Monday addressed thousands of jubilant supporters at the Arua Golf Course Grounds, rallying them to continue supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for peace, development, and unity.
President Museveni, who was warmly welcomed by residents from across West Nile, said the NRM had transformed Uganda from a country torn apart by division and conflict into one united by a shared vision of peace and progress.
Museveni said one of the greatest contributions of the NRM since 1986 has been the restoration of peace and stability across the country.
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He explained that Uganda’s transformation was built on the rejection of sectarian politics based on tribe and religion — practices that had divided the nation in the early post-independence years.
“The NRM opposed politics of sectarianism and marginalization. We built a national party that unites Ugandans regardless of tribe, religion, or gender. That is why we win on the first round,” the President said.
He added that this unity has enabled the creation of strong national institutions like the army, police, judiciary, and civil service — all founded on merit rather than identity.
President Museveni highlighted the NRM’s achievements in expanding education, noting that Arua District and Arua City now have a total of 120 government primary schools and 16 government secondary schools — seven in the district and nine in the city.
“In 1961 when I was in Ntare School, there was not a single A-Level school in the whole of Northern or Eastern Uganda. Today, Arua alone has several secondary schools. That shows the journey we have walked,” he said.
Museveni recalled introducing Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1996 and later Universal Secondary Education (USE), aimed at ensuring free access to education for all Ugandan children.
“My intention was to provide free education in government schools. Some people misunderstood it, but we have continued to push for it,” he said.
The President also said the government had launched skilling programs across the country to equip youth with practical abilities for wealth creation. He revealed that the State House skilling hubs were his direct initiative to tackle unemployment and empower young people.
“I started the skilling hubs under State House to teach young people practical skills. This is serious business — we are preparing our youth for a productive future,” Museveni noted.
Museveni emphasized that national development depends on both economic and social infrastructure. He said NRM’s deliberate investment in roads, schools, hospitals, and electricity has laid a firm foundation for growth.
“Development has two sides — economic infrastructure and social infrastructure. You cannot build the economy without investing in education, health, and security,” he said.
First Lady Maama Janet Museveni thanked the people of Arua for their love and support, urging them to continue standing with the NRM and to safeguard the peace and unity the country now enjoys.
The Arua rally is part of President Museveni’s ongoing nationwide campaign trail under the theme #ProtectingTheGains, aimed at consolidating the achievements made under NRM’s leadership and preparing Ugandans for continued socio-economic transformation.
