President Yoweri Museveni has urged the people of Karamoja to concentrate on generating income and building household wealth rather than depending solely on government road projects. His remarks come amid growing public frustration over the poor state of roads in the region, especially during the rainy season when many routes become impassable.
At present, the only tarmacked roads in Karamoja are the Moroto–Soroti highway through Napak District and the Moroto–Mbale route via Nakapiripirit and Muyembe. Northern parts of the region, including Abim, Kotido, Kaabong, and Karenga, still rely on rough dirt roads. Travelers often face severe challenges on roads such as Moroto–Kotido and Soroti–Otuke–Abim–Kotido, which recently trapped FDC presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi and his team in the mud.
While addressing rallies across Karamoja, President Museveni emphasized that sustainable wealth creation is the foundation for improving livelihoods. He encouraged residents to make use of ongoing government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to enhance household income and fight poverty.
The President also directed the Ministry of Works to ensure regular maintenance of murram roads so that they remain usable throughout the year. He explained that well-kept dirt roads can support trade and transport even during heavy rains. Museveni questioned why many continue to demand tarmac roads before fully utilizing the economic opportunities already available to them.
He reaffirmed his commitment to improving Karamoja’s infrastructure, announcing plans to tarmac the Moroto–Kaabong–Kidepo road and build an international airport to promote tourism. However, he cautioned that infrastructure alone cannot transform lives without residents actively participating in income-generating ventures.
Beyond wealth creation, Museveni pledged to enhance public services across the sub-region. His plans include upgrading healthcare facilities, constructing a primary school in every parish, and ensuring each sub-county has a secondary school. He also vowed to increase access to safe water by extending piped systems and building new dams for both domestic and livestock use.
Citing statistics from Nabilatuk District, Museveni noted that only 46% of villages currently have access to clean water, with just 44 out of 96 villages connected. Ongoing dam construction and desilting projects, he said, will help bridge this gap.
On education, the President announced that his government will introduce compulsory free and boarding education for all children in Karamoja to improve literacy and enhance security. He also promised to recruit more teachers, especially in secondary schools, to address staffing shortages.
President Museveni is expected to conclude his campaign tour of Karamoja with a rally in Napak District before proceeding to Kapelebyong in the Teso sub-region.
