President Yoweri Museveni has promised to address two critical needs in Obongi District—electricity and better roads—assuring residents that the days of isolation and underdevelopment are numbered. Speaking to thousands of National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters at Lionga Grounds in Obongi on Friday, October 17, 2025, the President and NRM presidential candidate announced that funding is secured to connect the district to electricity and start paving its major roads within the current financial year.
“We owe Obongi two things: electricity and roads. We’ve got the money for electricity through a World Bank loan, and we’re now finding the right company to do the job. That promise is as good as done,” Museveni said. He pointed out that Obongi and Buvuma are the only Ugandan districts still off the national power grid, but construction of a power line to Obongi will begin before the financial year ends.
The President also outlined plans to upgrade key roads, including the 132-kilometer Noko–Obongi–Adjumani–Owafa–Lubala–Kurikiringa route and another connecting Goli–Panyimur–Pakwach–Rhinocamp–Obongi to boost tourism along the Nile. “These roads will be fixed, and Obongi won’t feel cut off anymore,” he said.
Museveni highlighted broader infrastructure efforts in the West Nile region, mentioning ongoing or planned road projects like the Manibe–Jule, Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Vura, and Laropi–Moyo roads. He noted that when NRM took power, tarmac roads ended at Karuma and Gulu, but now they extend to Koboko, Oraba, and soon Obongi.However, he expressed frustration with local leaders for not maintaining existing gravel roads despite government-provided equipment like graders and bulldozers in Arua and Moyo. “Even unpaved roads should be passable.
If someone’s not doing their job, I’ll make sure they step up,” he said, urging local officials to take responsibility.Reflecting on Obongi’s history, Museveni recalled its challenges from the 1980s when it was part of Moyo and Adjumani districts. “I knew Obongi was isolated, so we created it as a district in 2019 to give it focus, despite its small population,” he said. Today, Obongi’s population is about 142,000, according to the 2024 census.
Museveni used the rally to share the NRM’s 2026 manifesto, focusing on peace, development, and wealth creation. He credited Uganda’s stability to NRM’s inclusive policies, ensuring institutions like the army and police represent all regions. “One of my commanders, the late Maj. Gen. Hussein Adaa from this region, led headquarters in Bombo. That’s how we build a strong, united country,” he said, warning against divisive politics.
On healthcare, Museveni acknowledged progress but noted gaps, with two of Obongi’s six sub-counties lacking health facilities. He pledged to upgrade Obongi Health Centre IV to a general hospital and elevate Indilinga and Lomunga health centers to Level III status. He credited improved healthcare and immunization for the district’s population growth since the 1980s.
In education, Museveni reiterated his stance against school fees in government schools, promising to recruit 50,000 primary teachers nationwide to address shortages. Obongi has 24 government and 62 private primary schools, two government and 21 private secondary schools, with two new government secondary schools under construction.
Residents also requested a bridge to connect Obongi and Adjumani to ease transport and trade across the Nile. Museveni noted the district’s growing voter base, which rose from 19,321 in 2021 to 25,171 in 2025, reflecting population growth and better access.
With these commitments, Museveni emphasized NRM’s focus on transforming Obongi, ensuring it is no longer left behind.
