Zombo, Uganda: Religious and community leaders in the greater Nebbi subregion have united in prayer, seeking divine guidance to inspire President Yoweri Museveni to finally fulfill the long-standing government pledge to tarmac the 119-kilometre Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Zeu–Warr–Vuura road, a lifeline route whose poor state continues to cripple trade and daily life for nearly one million residents.
Despite repeated assurances over the years, the road remains in deplorable condition—muddy and impassable during rainy seasons and dust-choked in the dry spell—posing constant danger to travellers and disrupting transportation of agricultural produce.
Zombo District, northern Uganda’s leading coffee-producing hub, also exports avocados, beans, maize, and matooke. Yet, transporters often find themselves stranded for days as trucks ferrying goods to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo get stuck along the route, derailing cross-border trade and local livelihoods.
During President Museveni’s recent rallies in Nebbi and Zombo, religious leaders led fervent prayers urging divine intervention for the completion of the road project, alongside broader appeals for peace, rural electrification, and improved welfare for teachers.
At a rally in Pakwach, Bishop Rupiny Constantine of Nebbi Catholic Diocese opened proceedings with a prayer asking God to grant Museveni “wisdom and courage” to tarmac the road and strengthen national development.
“Oh Lord, help our President with wisdom and courage to tarmac our roads that continue to claim lives,” Bishop Rupiny prayed, invoking blessings for the President’s leadership and service to the country.
At another rally in Nebbi Town, Retired Archbishop Dr. Henry Luke Orombi commended Museveni’s four decades of peace and stability but appealed for swift action on the road, which he said has caused fatalities and restricted access to Zombo’s agricultural wealth.
“We cannot access Zombo’s wealth easily. When it rains, travelling from Nebbi to Vuura becomes impossible. I pray you will provide infrastructure for our people to travel and for development to occur,” Archbishop Orombi said.
Rev. Fr. Walter Wokorach of Zombo Catholic Parish, speaking during Museveni’s October 11 campaign rally at Zombo Upper Primary School, echoed similar sentiments, aligning his prayer with the NRM manifesto theme, “Protecting the Gains.”
“Lord Jesus, you have gained enough for us. Open the hearts of those responsible so that we, the people of Zombo, may this time share the gains of this country—and the gain of a tarmac road,” Fr. Wokorach prayed.
The greater Nebbi subregion—comprising Nebbi, Zombo, and Pakwach districts—has long been a stronghold of the ruling NRM, consistently voting for Museveni. Yet frustration is growing over the slow progress on the region’s key road network, which residents say has hindered trade, health access, and education.
At the Zombo rally, Zombo District NRM Chairperson Grace Thorach knelt before Museveni, pleading for urgent government intervention.
“Your Excellency, please address the issue of our road; it has become a big challenge here,” Thorach appealed.
Zombo Woman MP Esther Afoyochan and Ora County MP Songa Biyika Lawrence both added their voices, emphasizing the road’s importance for accessibility, trade, and regional security.
Museveni Responds
In response, President Museveni told residents from Zombo’s 61 parishes that the road will be tarmacked in two phases — with the Nebbi–Zombo section contract to be signed in April 2026, followed by Zombo–Vuura.
“The Nebbi–Goli–Zombo–Vuura road is divided into two parts. The first, Nebbi–Zombo, will have its contract signed in April 2026,” Museveni assured, citing Uganda’s continued progress in national road construction spanning thousands of kilometres.
However, his announcement drew mixed reactions, with many residents expressing skepticism about the timeline, given the project’s long history of unfulfilled promises.
Museveni further encouraged communities to embrace wealth creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, highlighting the importance of peace and self-sufficiency.
Following the Nebbi and Zombo engagements, the President continues his West Nile campaign trail today in Arua City and Madi-Okollo districts this week.
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