ADJUMANI — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has rallied voters in Adjumani West to back NRM flag bearer Leku James Pilli in Thursday’s parliamentary by-election, urging them to choose continuity, unity and development.
President Museveni made the call at Paridi Stadium, where he addressed a rally to close Leku’s campaign ahead of the poll.
The by-election was triggered by the death of former Adjumani West MP, the late Gen. Moses Ali, whom Museveni credited with helping steer West Nile towards development after joining the NRM.
The President said the region had moved away from the politics of tribalism, religion and conflict and was now benefiting from a political focus on development and economic transformation.
“There are people who saw the correct way of thinking in West Nile. When people like Moses Ali and other cadres joined the NRM in 1986 and after, we started getting development,” Museveni said.
He pointed to roads, electricity, schools and health facilities as evidence of the Government’s investment in West Nile.
Museveni cited the tarmacking of the Kampala-Nimule route and ongoing road projects, including Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo, Nebbi-Arua and Laropi-Moyo-Afodi, as well as upgrades on the Nebbi-Goli, Arua-Koboko and Obongi-Adjumani roads.
He said electricity access had also expanded, with the national grid extending from Gulu through Adjumani to Moyo, while upgrades were being undertaken to address challenges arising from ageing infrastructure.
But Museveni warned that infrastructure alone would not eradicate poverty at household level, urging residents to engage in productive activities.
“Every individual has to participate in wealth creation in order to get rid of household poverty,” he said.
He encouraged residents to exploit opportunities in agriculture, trade and other enterprises, stressing that wealth creation should not wait for the completion of roads or other infrastructure.
The President also urged residents to look beyond Uganda’s borders for markets, particularly in neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan.
Museveni commended the NRM Electoral Commission for conducting the party primaries and praised aspirants who accepted the outcome.
He singled out Hon. Ben Anyama for withdrawing from the race and supporting Leku following an appeal for party unity.
He urged other NRM supporters to unite behind the flag bearer and ensure the party retains the seat.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Region Denis Hamson Obua said the party had received strong support during its village-based mobilisation campaign.
Obua recalled that Museveni won 84.75 percent of the vote in Adjumani District in the previous presidential election.
He said the campaign also gave the party an opportunity to hear residents’ concerns, including demands for the construction of Laropi Bridge, upgrading Adjumani Town Council to a municipality and improving the Senyangya-Adjumani road network.
The NRM Party Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong thanked residents for their continued support and welcomed Museveni to the district, describing the rally as an opportunity for voters to reaffirm their unity and commitment to the NRM.
Museveni also received more than 300 former FDC supporters who crossed to the NRM and pledged to support Leku in Thursday’s election.
