Serere — The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to empowering women, supporting youth, and expanding access to education and essential infrastructure across the country.
Addressing a campaign rally in Serere District on Monday, President Museveni emphasized that peace, wealth creation, and education remain the foundation of Uganda’s transformation journey.
He said the NRM government has laid the groundwork for prosperity through stability, rural development, and targeted social programs aimed at empowering every Ugandan to thrive.
“We are building the infrastructure needed to open up Uganda. Roads, water, and electricity are all part of our economic transformation,” Museveni told the cheering crowd, outlining his vision for an inclusive and self-sustaining economy.
On water access, the President highlighted major progress in Serere, where 277 villages have been connected to supply systems, and 235 of them now have clean water—representing 85 percent coverage. He assured residents that plans are underway to extend piped water systems to the remaining areas, including the Serere Town Council and Ochapa Town projects.
“Water is a basic need for both humans and animals. We are working to ensure that everyone in Serere has access to clean water. We’ve already constructed small-scale irrigation systems to support local farmers,” Museveni said.
He also reiterated his government’s focus on free education, which he described as a key pillar in the country’s development. Reflecting on reforms from the 1980s and 1990s, Museveni said the government took over several primary schools to ensure all children, regardless of background, could access quality education.
“The foundation of every successful nation is the education of its children. We made education free, and we will continue to build schools and health centres across the country,” he said, adding that 10 out of the 15 sub-counties in Serere already have government secondary schools, with plans to expand coverage further.
On wealth creation, the President urged citizens to make full use of available programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), irrigation systems, and small-scale business support. He said government had provided the means for prosperity, and it was now up to individuals to harness those opportunities for personal and community development.
“We have created avenues for wealth creation, from irrigation to small businesses. Now, it’s up to you to make the most of these opportunities,” Museveni said, reaffirming his belief in practical economic empowerment.
Earlier, Minister of State for Fisheries and Woman Member of Parliament for Serere District, Hellen Adoa, commended the President for transforming lives through his consistent support for peace, education, and economic empowerment. She recalled the hardships of growing up amid insurgency and credited Museveni’s leadership for restoring stability and unlocking opportunities for women and youth.
“When I was a child, we suffered under insurgency. But after President Yoweri Museveni took power, he stabilized this country. Today, Serere is peaceful, and we are determined to protect that peace,” Adoa said.
She shared her own story as an example of women’s empowerment, recounting how she was able to establish five schools at the age of 23, a milestone she attributed to the peace ushered in by Museveni’s government.
Adoa praised the Parish Development Model for transforming rural livelihoods, saying many women in Serere now own businesses, rear livestock, and educate their children using funds accessed through the program.
“The women of Serere and Uganda were once neglected, but today they can access PDM funds and grow economically. We are ready to protect the gains of PDM so that everyone can benefit,” she said.
The minister also highlighted government support for the fisheries sector, noting that UGX 1 billion has been allocated to the Teso region to improve fish production and community livelihoods. She expressed optimism about the long-awaited Kumi–Tapar–Serere Road, now funded for tarmacking, describing it as a game changer for regional trade and connectivity.
“For the first time, our road has received funding. Serere is going to see a tarmac road, and we cannot wait to witness this development,” she said.
Adoa further commended youth programs such as the Presidential Skilling Initiative and the Youth Livelihood Programme, revealing that with the support of the First Lady’s office, she secured UGX 300 million for 6,000 young people in Serere to start income-generating projects.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, who also addressed the rally, thanked the people of Teso for their unwavering support. He said the strong turnouts at NRM rallies across the region reflect the deep bond between the party and the people.
“The campaign has been very smooth, and we are grateful for the massive turnout wherever we go. This shows the strong connection between the party and the people, who understand and believe in our message,” Todwong said.
He acknowledged that while no government is perfect, the NRM continues to improve service delivery and refine its grassroots mobilization strategy. “We know we are not angels. There may be errors in local or central government, but to govern is a process. We continue to learn, improve, and consolidate the gains we have made,” he added.
Todwong said the NRM’s renewed focus on local structures has enhanced engagement with communities and strengthened the party’s reach. “We learned from the past and are now using our local structures effectively. That is why you see this enthusiasm everywhere we go,” he noted.
The Serere rally drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters, who pledged to protect the gains made under the NRM government and continue backing President Museveni’s vision of peace, prosperity, and inclusive development.
