President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed delight over the remarkable improvement in water access across Nakapiripirit District.
He described it as proof of how the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s long-term investments in infrastructure are transforming lives in Karamoja.
Speaking during a campaign rally at Namboole II Grounds in Nakapiripirit yesterday, President Museveni, who is also the NRM Presidential flag bearer, said he was impressed to learn that 82% of villages in the district now have access to safe water, one of the highest coverage levels in the subregion.
“I was looking at water coverage, and I’m happy to see thatNakapiripirit is doing well. Out of 209 villages, 172 have access to water. This 82% is very good. Some districts like Amudat and Abim are still lower, but we shall study why and address it,” said
President Museveni who was in the company of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni.
He noted that the progress reflects the government’s deliberate effort to provide economic and social infrastructure to all corners of Uganda, especially previously marginalized regions.
Under the NRM government’s Water for Production initiative, he mentioned that several major facilities have been completed in Nakapiripirit, including the Aooyalet Valley Tank in Loregae Sub-County with a capacity of 40 million litres, and the Komaret Valley Tank in Moruita holding 20 million litres.
“Four additional valley tanks Karengeze, Lomogol, Lokitela-Alokwa, and Lomosomosoi as well as a wind-powered abstraction system have also been completed,” he said.
Looking ahead, the President revealed that the government is finalizing plans for the Namalu Large Scale Irrigation Scheme, which will store 11.8 billion litres of water and irrigate up to 750 hectares under Phase One.
“These are the kinds of interventions that ensure water is not just for drinking but for production to support farming and livestock,”the President said.
President Museveni emphasized that the NRM’s development philosophy rests on building economic and social infrastructure to create the foundation for wealth creation.
He pointed out that Nakapiripirit has benefited from new roads,electricity connections, and telecommunication networks that have opened up the area to trade and services.
Among key road projects completed in the district are Namalu– Nakapiripirit (17 km), Akisim–Moroto–Lokitanyala (92 km), and the ongoing Muyembe–Nakapiripirit (92 km) road upgrade.
“These roads are not just for decoration, they are for movement of goods, services, and people. They are the arteries of the economy,”he said.
On social infrastructure, the President highlighted the construction of schools and health centers to bring essential services closer to the people.
“Nakapiripirit currently has 27 government primary schools and seven government secondary schools, while the Ministry of Health is upgrading several lower-level facilities to Health Centre IIIs and IVs to improve service delivery,” he said.
Turning to household income, President Museveni called on the people of Nakapiripirit to embrace commercial agriculture and enterprise development, saying that wealth creation must begin at the homestead.
He cited examples like Hon. Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transport, who earns over Shs 55 million per month from poultry farming, as proof that agriculture can be highly profitable when approached commercially.
“Please listen carefully to the NRM message. Plan number one is commercial agriculture. From there, we go to manufacturing and then services, including digital. These are the pillars that will transform Uganda,” he said.
He also praised the impact of the Presidential Zonal Industrial Hubs, where youth are acquiring practical skills for self-employment.
Gloria Nayol, a beneficiary from Napak Industrial Hub, shared her story of how a tailoring course changed her life.
“After completing my training, I started my own small business with friends. We later received Shs 50 million through the Graduate SACCO. We are buying materials and expanding. Thankyou, President Museveni, for supporting us,” she said.
On her part, Maama Janet described her visit to Nakapiripirit as a “homecoming,” expressing gratitude for the warmth and progress she witnessed in the region.
“Coming to Karamoja is always a homecoming for me. I thank you for the traditional love and warmth of the Karamoja people that I cherish so much,” she said.
Maama Janet noted that the transformation in Karamoja from insecurity and hunger to stability and productivity reflects God’s grace and the NRM’s commitment to inclusive development.
“The new generation of Karamoja must live in better houses, have better food and livelihoods. Karamoja has always been a blessing to me. God bless Karamoja, and God bless Uganda,” she added.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, who also serves as the NRM’s Second National Vice Chairperson (Female),commended the government for improving social services in the subregion.