Museveni touts peace, vows growth for Karamoja

President Yoweri Museveni told residents that the government plans to turn Karamoja into an industrial center, as cement manufacturers invest in the region. The head of state addressed crowds at Lomukura Primary School in Kotido Municipality on Monday with First Lady Janet Museveni beside him. He credited local cooperation for successful weapons collection efforts that reduced violence across northern districts.

Museveni said electricity lines from Soroti reached Karenga, while road projects connecting Lira to the Sudanese border remain priorities. Officials built three water pipeline systems and multiple valley dams holding billions of liters for livestock and human consumption. The administration constructed vocational training centers offering six-month programs at no cost to students who previously paid fees at government schools.

Health centers will receive upgrades as facilities transition from lower classifications to expanded service levels. Janet Museveni asked communities to support development goals, eliminating thatched housing across the subregion. Regional party leaders pledged electoral backing for the president while requesting new administrative boundaries to improve service delivery for remote populations.