On 11th October 2025, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential Candidate in the 2026 general elections, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, held a campaign rally in Zombo District, one of the fast-growing areas in the West Nile sub-region. The district has a population of 312,621 people, comprising two constituencies, 15 sub-counties, 61 parishes, and 752 villages.
Over the years, Zombo has witnessed remarkable transformation across key sectors, including infrastructure, health, education, energy, and wealth creation.
Through flagship government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Fund, thousands of households have transitioned from subsistence to commercial production.
The district has so far received UGX 18.7 billion under PDM, of which UGX 18.3 billion (97.7%) has already been disbursed to 18,646 beneficiary households, representing 26% of all homes in Zombo.
In his address, President Museveni assured the people of Zombo that the Nebbi–Zombo road contract will be signed in April 2026, marking the beginning of construction works on this key road. He reiterated that the NRM’s focus remains on peace, unity, and wealth creation, emphasising that the peace prevailing in Zombo and across Uganda has provided a solid foundation for social and economic transformation.
The NRM kisanja (2026–2032) promises to deepen the gains already made by reaching more households under PDM, establishing a special fund for fishing communities, and creating a business start-up fund for jobless graduates.
NRM also has plans to expand access to affordable agricultural and industrial credit through Uganda Development Bank and the Agricultural Credit Facility, while NUSAF IV will be launched to complement PDM in the fight against poverty.
The education sector in Zombo continues to flourish, with 91 government primary schools enrolling over 101,000 pupils, and eight government secondary schools serving nearly 4,000 students under Universal Secondary Education.
Four new Seed Secondary Schools are under construction in Atyak, Abanga, Kango, and Alangi sub-counties, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school from eight to four once completed.
To ensure education remains accessible, government plans to grant-aid schools in 17 parishes without a government primary school and recruit more teachers to make education completely free.
Digital systems for school inspection and attendance tracking have also been introduced to improve accountability. Meanwhile, the West Nile Presidential Industrial Hub, located in Zombo, has already trained over 1,100 youth in vocational skills such as carpentry, welding, tailoring, bakery, and shoemaking empowering them for self-employment and industrial work.
The health sector has also registered impressive progress, with maternal mortality now at 88.3 per 100,000, well below the national average of 189 and HIV-positive mothers on ARVs at 97% coverage.
The government plans to construct new Health Centre IIIs in Athuma, Nyapea, and Warr sub-counties, and upgrade Atyenda and Padea Health Centre IIs. Paidha Health Centre III will also be elevated to Health Centre IV, closing service gaps in Okoro Constituency.
To strengthen service delivery, the government has centralised medicine procurement through the National Medical Stores and allocated UGX 231 million annually for supplies at Warr Health Centre IV. In the next NRM term, technology will be used to track medicines and address absenteeism among health workers.
Access to safe water in Zombo currently stands at 66%, with 495 out of 752 villages now served. Two solar-powered irrigation schemes; Asada and Ugudu have been completed, directly benefiting 436 farmers and boosting agricultural productivity. Electrification has also reached almost all sub-counties in the district except Warr and Alangi, which are set for connection in the next phase, supporting trade and small-scale industries.
On infrastructure, the Nebbi–Paidha–Zombo–Vurra (118km) road remains a strategic priority, with feasibility and design studies completed. Other ongoing and planned road projects, such as Olwiyo–Pakwach, Koboko–Yumbe–Moyo, and Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Warr–Arua, will further open up the region to trade and investment. Additionally, the government has allocated UGX 1 billion annually for district road maintenance to ensure rural accessibility.
During the rally, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mama Janet Museveni, urged citizens to preserve the peace and unity that have enabled Uganda’s progress.
“We all owe it to ourselves, to Uganda, to our families, to unite Uganda, to vote for NRM and keep the unity, freedom, and peace in Uganda. We owe it to the young children, the old mothers, and generations to come that Uganda must remain united and free of divisions, tribes, or religions. Uganda must remain free, and it will be unstoppable,” she said.
She further reminded citizens of the importance of cherishing peace:
“Do you see the refugees we have in Uganda? All those refugees come here because they have no peace in their countries. If we don’t value the peace and unity we have, we risk dividing Uganda and regretting it later. Therefore, please vote for President Museveni and vote for NRM. God bless you; God bless you Zombo.”
Grace Thorach, the Zombo District NRM Chairperson, thanked the President for the achievements in the district but also raised a few concerns.
“As our parish priest rightly prayed, we still face some pressing issues in Zombo. The most urgent is the need for a district hospital. Currently, we rely on Holy Family Hospital, which is a non-profit facility. The Alur Kingdom has already offered 26.3 acres of land for this purpose, and we humbly await your approval so that construction can commence,” she said.
“Additionally, Paidha Town Council, with a population of over 42,000 according to the latest census, has grown into a vibrant commercial hub due to its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo. We therefore appeal to you, Your Excellency, to consider elevating Paidha Town Council to a municipality status,” she added.
Agnes Aciro, a resident of Zombo District, commended the NRM government for maintaining peace and stability across Uganda. She noted that in the past, women in the area suffered from domestic violence, but under the NRM leadership, deliberate measures have been put in place to curb the vice. She said the involvement of security agencies in handling domestic violence cases has greatly improved the protection and welfare of women in Zombo and beyond.
From improved roads and electrification to expanded education and healthcare services, Zombo’s story is one of progress and resilience. The district’s transformation mirrors Uganda’s broader journey under the NRM, building a modern, inclusive, and wealth-creating economy anchored on peace and stability.
Joellah Anshemeza,
Communications Officer, GCIC- State House.
