Museveni's Campaign Momentum in Karamoja
On October 28, 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer, held influential campaign rallies across the Karamoja sub-region, a key battleground for Uganda’s 2026 general elections. Highlighting peace-building, industrial development, and socio-economic transformation, Museveni sought to galvanize voter support by promising a future of prosperity rooted in unity and stability. This blog post details the campaign events, promises, and political significance of his outreach in the historically conflict-prone region of Karamoja.
Strengthening Peace: A Central Theme of Museveni’s Campaign
President Museveni began his campaign in Kotido district at Lomukura Primary School, underscoring the government’s commitment to consolidating peace in Karamoja. Recalling a turbulent past marked by widespread insecurity, he praised Karamojong communities for embracing disarmament and playing a vital role in fostering stability. Emphasizing the rejection of sectarian and greed-driven politics, Museveni reiterated how the NRM built a stable political movement that maintains peace and promotes democratic governance.
Boosting Economic Growth with Infrastructure Development
At a rally in Moroto’s Naitakwae Boma Grounds, Museveni unveiled an ambitious plan to construct an international airport in Kidepo, promising to attract global tourism and private investment. Comparing the airport’s future scale to Entebbe International Airport, he envisioned it as a catalyst for job creation and economic diversification. This announcement aligns with the broader NRM agenda to transform Karamoja from a region known for conflict into a vibrant economic hub.
Socio-Economic Progress and Population Growth
Museveni highlighted marked improvements since his earlier visits decades ago, noting that Karamoja’s population has grown from 190,000 in 1980 to over 1.5 million today. He credited this increase to peace, improved healthcare, and immunization programs that have significantly reduced childhood diseases and mortality—a testament to the NRM’s focus on development and social services.
Voter Appeal and Political Messaging
Addressing crowds in Amudat district, Museveni called on the people to vote for the NRM, stressing that peace and development were achievable through continued support for his leadership. He acknowledged the strong voter turnout in recent rallies as evidence of public confidence in the NRM's vision.
Historical and Regional Significance
The Karamoja sub-region has long been marred by conflict and underdevelopment. Museveni’s campaign focus on peace and economic projects aims to secure the loyalty of a region that is crucial for national unity and electoral success. His outreach underscores the strategic importance of winning hearts and minds in Karamoja as part of broader national stability.
Multimedia and Campaign Reach
The rallies were captured extensively in photos and videos, shared across social media platforms by major Ugandan broadcasters such as NBS TV and New Vision. These visuals showcase enthusiastic crowds, policy announcements, and the vibrant atmosphere of the campaign trail, amplifying Museveni’s message beyond the immediate locales.
Conclusion: Karamoja as a Symbol of Uganda’s Political and Socio-Economic Renewal
President Museveni’s 2025 campaign in Karamoja reaffirms his administration’s commitment to peace-building and development in one of Uganda's most challenging regions. By linking political stability with infrastructure investment and healthcare progress, Museveni positions the NRM as the steward of a hopeful and prosperous future for all Ugandans. As the 2026 elections approach, Karamoja’s role as a bellwether region highlights the intersection of security, development, and political loyalty critical for Uganda’s continued progress.
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