OTUKE, Uganda – Campaigning in Otuke district this afternoon, National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni struck a chord of shared history and economic promise, telling a crowd of supporters that the time for pursuing "lonyo" (wealth) has finally arrived.
Reflecting on the area's turbulent past, the President recounted fighting alongside communities against Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army and cattle rustlers. "We have faced challenges together, fighting to restore the peace that was disrupted in our area," President Museveni stated. "Now, it is our time to pursue lonyo, and no one will deter us from achieving this goal."
A key announcement from the rally addressed the long-standing issue of cattle compensation for the Lango sub-region. The President revealed a new proposal for a standardized compensation model.
To immediately boost household incomes, the President pledged to provide the people of Otuke with free coffee seedlings, aligning with his government's long-standing emphasis on commercial agriculture.
Looking to the future, President Museveni made a firm commitment regarding Uganda's nascent oil revenues, framing it as a critical reason he deserves another term. He vowed to protect the funds from being squandered on imports for the elite.
"If I am given an extension to manage our resources, I will not allow the money to be used to import whiskey and perfumes," he said to cheers. "It will be to maintain and extend the economic foundation through roads, railway, electricity, security, and other strategic infrastructure."
Concluding his address, President Museveni thanked the people of Otuke for their "warm welcome" and announced his campaign would continue tomorrow in Apac and Kwania districts.
