By Emmanuel Okol
Katakwi, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has confirmed plans to tarmac two major roads through Katakwi District; the Soroti–Amuria–Lira and Lira–Toloma routes, as part of efforts to improve transport and economic activity across the Teso Sub-region.
Speaking during his NRM presidential campaign rally at Booma Grounds in Katakwi, Museveni said the two projects are in line with the NRM government’s ongoing commitment to enhance infrastructure, ease movement of goods and services, and unlock new trade opportunities for the people of Teso.
“These roads will improve accessibility, reduce transport costs, and facilitate faster trade movement within Teso and neighbouring regions,” Museveni told supporters.
The NRM Presidential candidate further vowed to tighten oversight on local government leaders who permit shoddy road works despite the annual disbursement of UGX 1.3 billion in road maintenance funds, warning that accountability will be enforced at every level.
Museveni also highlighted ongoing and upcoming water projects aimed at extending clean and safe water to all villages in Katakwi District.
He cited several completed and ongoing developments, including the Angule Small-Scale Irrigation Project in Toroma Sub-County, construction of new boreholes in over 208 villages, Ongongoja Irrigation System in Aketa, Ongole Small-Scale Irrigation Project in Usuk Sub-County, Ngarium Flood Mitigation Valley Tank in Palam Sub-County, with a 49 million-litre capacity, two major valley tanks in Magoro and Okuronyo (each with a 30 million-litre capacity) and five Small-Scale Irrigation (SSI) projects spread across Ngariam and Toroma constituencies.
Currently, 342 out of 550 villages in Katakwi District have access to clean and safe water — a figure Museveni pledged to increase in his next term.
On Education and Health Expansion, President Museveni rallied the NRM fraternity in Katakwi to enforce universal education in all government schools, urging local leaders to eliminate illegal school fees that frustrate learners.
He referenced the success of Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs, which offer free training opportunities to youths who had dropped out due to school extortion.
The President also unveiled an ambitious plan to upgrade and construct new health facilities to strengthen the district’s healthcare system.
He listed several health centres due for upgrade from HCII to HCIII, including Aakum (Guyaguya Sub-County), Omodoi (Omodoi Sub-County), Opeta (Magoro Sub-County), Okocho (Okulonyo Sub-County), Akurao (Toroma Sub-County) and Ongongoja (Ongongoja Sub-County).
Additionally, new HCIIIs are to be constructed in Amusia, Getom, Okore, and Angodingod Sub-Counties, alongside new theatres at Toroma HCIV, Akurao HCII, and Katakwi General Hospital, plus a solar-powered motorized borehole at Koritok HCIII.
Museveni explained that these projects are designed to reinforce the district’s general hospital and ensure decentralized access to quality health services.
On Cattle Restocking and Economic Revival, Museveni announced the revival of the program for Teso, Acholi, and Lango sub-regions to compensate communities affected by past insurgencies and cattle rustling.
He urged residents to prepare for participation in the initiative, which will target all households in Katakwi. “Do not be left out of this program. Every household deserves to recover what was lost to insecurity and rebellion,” he said.
The President revealed that earlier compensation efforts were derailed by legal mismanagement and corruption involving over UGX 159 billion, which was swindled by private lawyers.
Museveni also cited success stories under PDM and Emyooga, encouraging locals to emulate the progress made by earlier beneficiaries in wealth creation and enterprise growth.
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