By Isaac Wandubile
In a grand celebration on Saturday, March 22, 2025, West Nile Effort for Museveni marked 25 years of unwavering support for President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The pressure group, founded by figures such as the late former Vice President Gen. Mustafa Adris and the late Hon. Col. Ibrahim Abiriga, has played a crucial role in mobilizing the region and promoting the party’s ideology.
Gen. Mustafa Adris, who served as Vice President under President Idi Amin Dada, went into exile after the 1979 war. Along with many others, he endured hardship abroad until President Museveni, after taking power in 1986, extended an open-door policy to all exiled Ugandans in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Sudan, encouraging them to return and contribute to national development.
Many feared returning, uncertain of what awaited them, but those who took the bold step found a government committed to reconciliation rather than revenge. Slowly, the returnees set out to rebuild what was left of their homeland, transforming a ghost town into a thriving region.
West Nile Effort for Museveni was born out of gratitude for the Museveni’s magnanimity in facilitating their return. The group has since worked to consolidate support for him, navigate challenges such as the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, and promote government programs such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), Youth Livelihood Program, and Operation Wealth Creation.
Over the years, it has become a strong mobilization force in West Nile, spanning districts such as Adjumani, Terego, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe, Arua City and District, Madi Okollo, Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo, Obongi, and Moyo.
NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, was the chief guest at the event hosted by Hon. Atima Jackson Lee Buti, MP for Arua Central Division and Government Regional Whip, as well as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Coordinator for West Nile.
Accompanied by Hajati Medina Naham, Director of Finance and Administration at the NRM Secretariat, Todwong applauded the resilience of the founding members and emphasized the values of Pan-Africanism, Democracy, Patriotism, and Socio-Economic Transformation, which have been the guiding principles of the NRM.
His visit included a tour of a value addition facility in Awindiri, an interaction with vendors at the newly constructed Arua market, and a public engagement at the residence of the late Hon. Col. Ibrahim Abiriga.
“I want us to stand up and observe a moment of silence in honor of those great people who started this pressure group. Twenty-five years is a significant milestone worth celebrating. As someone who grew up here, I have witnessed the transformation that has taken place. President Museveni has exceeded expectations, he recalled our fathers from exile and worked tirelessly to ensure peace and security prevail,” Todwong noted.
He reassured the people of government’s commitment to infrastructural development, promising road rehabilitations from Pakwach to Panyimur through Zombo to Arua, all the way to Moyo via Koboko and Yumbe, as well as through Obongi and Rhino Camp back to Pakwach. Plans for a new bridge connecting West Nile to Acholi via Moyo and Adjumani, alongside repairs to the aging Pakwach Bridge, were also unveiled.
Encouraging the region to embrace education, he urged parents to enroll their children in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, emphasizing that knowledge is the foundation of economic and social development.
Todwong also called upon residents to take advantage of health services and the national electricity grid for industrial and commercial expansion.
At Arua City’s new market, the NRM SG reassured vendors that no one would be forced out in favor of a private market, affirming that the government’s UGX 39 billion investment in the facility was meant to uplift local businesses.
He donated UGX 10 million from the NRM party to West Nile Effort for Museveni in support of their Super Yellow Project, which produces high-quality branded merchandise for the NRM and other clients. Additionally, he contributed UGX 5 million to Arua Central Market fish vendors to boost their association.
He called upon the people to rally behind President Museveni in the upcoming elections, reminding them that the stability and progress witnessed over the last decades should not be taken for granted.
The event brought together a host of leaders, including cabinet ministers, members of parliament, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Chairpersons (LCVs), and representatives from the Patriotic League of Uganda.
MPs praised the President’s interventions in West Nile, including investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and electrification.
Hon. Atima Jackson Lee Buti highlighted key developments in the region, including the construction of USMID roads, streetlights, Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, the upgrading of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, and the establishment of Muni University. He appealed for more government support towards ghetto youth initiatives in the region.
Hajati Medina Naham called for increased government appointments for the region and urged President Museveni to attract more investors to create employment opportunities. “I want to encourage our people to embrace unity, fight drug abuse among the youth, educate our children, work hard, and safeguard peace and security for a prosperous future,” she said.
On Sunday, March 23, Todwong continued his regional engagements in Koboko, where he met with local leaders, including ministers, MPs, RDCs, district chairpersons, and religious and cultural representatives.
The discussions revolved around service delivery, progress on the NRM manifesto, and the fight against corruption in public service. He called on leaders to consolidate NRM’s grassroots support, ensuring smooth governance and effective service delivery.
Affirming the government’s commitment to improving the lives of all Ugandans, Todwong reassured West Nile of continued investment in infrastructure, social services, and economic programs. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
