OPINION: Nine Unique NRM Achievements In Northern Uganda Since 1986

By Ojede Ziegler Bobson

Fellow Ugandans and countrymen, I am Mr Ojede Ziegler Bobson, an Aspirant for the position of NRM National Vice Chairperson Northern Region.

I would like to highlight and outline several remarkable and unforgettable NRM government achievements in Northern Uganda from 1986 up to date.

The following are top achievements of the ruling NRM Party in Northern Uganda among others;

1-Defeat of the LRA rebels

UPDF did a tremendous job in Northern Uganda by defeating LRA rebels and we cannot take that for granted. We must really thank the commander in chief Gen.Yoweri Museveni Kaguta ,for his being committed and in charge the armed force of Uganda and now there is peace and stability of the country at large including Northern Uganda.

2-Road Network In Northern Uganda.

When NRM took power in 1986, inadequate transport and infrastructure was one of Uganda’s biggest problems over the years, it has drastically improved.

Uganda under NRM has a total road network of about 159,366km,zeroing to northern Uganda  the following road network has been worked on, Atiak-Nimule 35Km, Gulu-Acholi Bur 70.3km Acholi Bur-Kitgum-Musingo 86.4km, Rwenkunye-Apac 91.0km Apac-Lira-Puranga 100.0km others are, Soroti-Katakwi-Moroto 150kmLaropi-Moyo-Afoji 37.3, whereas in west nile Koboko -Yumbe-Moyo 105.0km has also been worked on, In Lango also there is progress on the  Lira-Kamdini Road which is now under construction.

There are however new road projects to be started by 2023 in Northern Uganda by the NRM government; they are,

Puranga-Acholi Bur 62.0km, Pajule-Pader district headquarters 18.0km, Atiak-Kitgum 108.0km ,Kitgum-Orom-Karenga 116.0km and also Karenga-Bira (Kaabong-Sudan Border)42.0km, Kotido-Kaabong 64.0km
Dokolo-Ochero-Namasale88.0km, Katine-Ochero70.0km, In Karamoja region,Moroto-Kotido100.0km, Moroto-Lokitanyala 28.0km, Kotido-Abim-Aloi-Lira 187.0, Manibe-Yumbe77.0,

The NRM is committed to developing all modes of transport, including road a total of  2,988.2 km roads is yet to be constructed.

3-Energy Sector

The 600KW Karuma Hydro power project  Hydropower Project is nearing completion. The Hydropower Plant was successfully synchronized to the national grid. This milestone marks the start of power generation at the soon-to-be-commissioned plant. This will bring hope to Lira,Gulu ,Agago

The Lira–Gulu–Agago High Voltage Power Line is a planned high voltage power line in the Northern Region of Uganda and other parts of transmission line in Northern Uganda with the greatest vote of thanks going to H.E Gen.Yoweri Museveni’s administration.

4-.Health Sector Improvement.

Regional Referral Hospitals have Improved Health standards both in Northern Uganda and other parts of Uganda at large.

Lira, Gulu, Yumbe, among others are the prominent Regional referral hospitals that have shortened distances fromthe upcountry to national referral hospital of Mulago for patients to access medical attention/treatment.

5-Trade And Industry

By promoting trade and industry NRM has a long lasting achievement. Presidential Skilling Hubs have been set up in Unyama sub -county in Gulu district,Lira university at Lira city among others to mention. However,Lira main Modern Market,Gulu main market,Kitgum main market,Arua among others have made an achievement for the current NRM government.

6-Irrigation

Northern Uganda Farmers are planting seeds using the irrigation schemes established by the government across West Nile, Lango and Acholi sub-regions and they are realising the rewards.

In Lango sub region,especially  inLira, farmers are growing rice at Olweny Irrigation Scheme, Itek-Okile Rice Growering establishment of Olweny Irrigation Scheme has led to the increase in production, productivity and crop yield.

In Gulu, farmers are growing onions, pineapples, watermelon, onions, green pepper, okra and cabbages in Ayweri Irrigation Scheme located in Paibona Sub-county. Market opportunity provided by South Sudan, many people are venturing into growing okra, pineapples and watermelon.

In Pader, the government has established an irrigation scheme in Aringo -Mone Village, Latanya Sub-county.  The Aringo mone small scale irrigation system where farmers are engaged in growing carrots, green pepper, watermelon, onions and cabbages.This is a real achievement To our local farmers.

7-Disarmament In Karamoja

Currently, the Karamojong warriors are voluntarily handing over their guns to the government during the ongoing disarmament exercise in Uganda. This is an achievement in Northern Uganda as many cattle rustlers used to disturb neighbouring districts surrounding Karamoja including stealing properties and disrupting agricultural and economic activities in Otuke,Alebtong ,Agago,Pader,Lamwo ,Kitgum among others.

.8-Education sector

The government of NRM have improved the standard of education by establishing over 4 universities in Northern Uganda namely,Gulu University,Lira university,University of Sacred Heart Gulu,all saints university Lango among others.This has increased enrolment in the number of graduates in the north.

Above all there is UPE and USE being benefited in all parts of the country including Northern Uganda.

Several seed Secondary schools have been established in many sub counties hence affordable secondary education and completion of O and A level.

9-Certificates of Customary Land ownership

The last important achievement is the issuing of 1,537certificates of customary land ownership which was launched in Ibuje primary school in Apac district for west Nila ,Acholi, Lango and Karamoja sub-region.This will protect the citizens from land grabbing.

 The Writer is NRM Aspirant for National Vice-chairperson for Northern Uganda