By J Sas RichBoi
(CMH)
President Yoweri Museveni wrapped up his West Nile campaign tour, emphasizing the need to prioritize development over salary increases for public servants. While he is not against salary hikes, Museveni stressed that Uganda must consolidate its key development foundations before allocating more funds for wages.
Speaking at a large campaign rally in Adjumani, Museveni called for patience, urging Ugandans to focus on national priorities that ensure peace and shared growth. “We are not against the salaries of public servants, but first, we need peace, roads, electricity, health, and schools – then we can add other things,” he said.
The president addressed demands for salary increments, notably from striking teachers, questioning the fairness of paying public servants more when infrastructure development is lagging. His remarks drew loud applause from supporters.
Museveni anchored his spending priorities in national infrastructure and social services, drawing on his experience with the military. He noted that UPDF officers endured years of low pay for the sake of national peace, saying, “We in the UPDF have been fighting for no pay or low pay for the last 55 years because we could not demand a high salary from our mother, Uganda, when we knew that our mother did not have enough money.”
The president stressed the need to agree on budgeting priorities, emphasizing that public funds must first maintain infrastructure, such as tarmacking roads. He pledged government intervention to improve the poor condition of the Pakele-Pabo road and the Adjumani-Obongi route, highlighting the NRM’s achievement in extending the tarmac road network.
Peace and Economic Pillars
Museveni described Uganda’s current stability as a “historic achievement unmatched in over a century.” He attributed this stability to the NRM’s ideology of patriotism and Pan-Africanism, which focuses on issues over tribal or religious affiliations.
The president cited the region’s population growth as evidence of progress due to immunization and better healthcare. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, notably drug theft in government health facilities, and proposed using “religiously inclined people” to monitor the issue.
Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to free education, pledging that every sub-county without a secondary school and every parish without a primary school would be addressed in the next term. He highlighted the Presidential Skilling Hubs, including the Olia Hub in Adjumani, for training school dropouts.
The president urged Ugandans to embrace household income programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying, “Each year, we shall bring 100 million shillings per parish. In five years, that’s 500 million.” He also proposed adding Shs 15 million for local parish leaders and creating a fund for religious leaders to support their involvement in wealth creation.
Party Leaders Support Message
The rally was attended by senior party leaders, including Gen. Moses Ali and Richard Todwong, who praised Museveni’s leadership and vision for Uganda’s future. “In President Museveni, we vote for hope, stability, good health, and progress,” Todwong said.
Hamson Obua, NRM vice chairperson for Northern Uganda, commended Museveni for transforming Adjumani “from a district that once produced refugees to one that now hosts them peacefully.”
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