Awadifor, Madi-Okollo! A new dawn for West Nile
Madi-Okollo, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged a renewed war on household poverty and deeper investment in social and economic infrastructure as he campaigns for another term in office. Speaking during his campaign tour of Madi-Okollo and Arua City, the President said government efforts were already transforming livelihoods under the Parish Development Model...
Madi-Okollo, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged a renewed war on household poverty and deeper investment in social and economic infrastructure as he campaigns for another term in office.
Speaking during his campaign tour of Madi-Okollo and Arua City, the President said government efforts were already transforming livelihoods under the Parish Development Model (PDM), with UGX 14 billion so far disbursed to Madi-Okollo District.
“Our next priority, which we have already begun working on, is reducing household poverty. For areas near water, like Madi-Okollo, the NRM has exciting plans centred around fish farming, which is a valuable resource,” Museveni said, adding “Awadifor” — a local expression meaning thank you.
Infrastructure and connectivity
Museveni said he was pleased to see steady progress in infrastructure, citing electricity poles, functioning murrum roads, and widespread mobile phone use as signs of modernization.
“When I visit Madi-Okollo and see electricity poles, a functioning road, and people using phones, I feel very happy,” he told supporters. “If we are elected in the upcoming government, physical and social infrastructure will definitely be expanded.”
He said several road rehabilitation projects were ongoing, with more new roads planned in the short to medium term to improve access to markets and services across West Nile.
Education gains
The President highlighted significant strides in education, noting that Madi-Okollo now has 95 primary schools; 69 funded by government and 16 secondary schools across 32 of its 46 parishes.
In Arua District and Arua City, there are 120 government primary schools (50 in the district and 70 in the city) and 16 government secondary schools (7 in the district and 9 in the city).
“For someone who has been here for a long time, seeing this progress makes me very happy,” Museveni said, reaffirming NRM’s continued focus on education as a foundation for transformation.
Water and agricultural development
All 223 villages in Madi-Okollo now have access to safe water, according to the President. Government is also increasing water capacity for production through solar-powered irrigation in Aliboro, an earth dam in Yachi, and a communal valley tank in Peera.
Museveni said these efforts aim to strengthen food production and build climate resilience in West Nile’s farming communities.
“Along with peace and security, these efforts establish a solid foundation,” he said. “All of these developments are deliberate, proper, and guided by politics rooted in Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Democracy, and Socio-economic Transformation.”
Health services upgrade
On healthcare, Museveni promised to upgrade Orivu Health Centre III to a Health Centre IV in Ayivu Division East, and Lazebu Health Centre II to a Health Centre III in Arivu Sub-county.
The upgrades will improve access to maternal care, emergency services, and outpatient treatment for thousands of residents.
Wealth creation and economic empowerment
Museveni emphasized the need for Ugandans to take charge of their own economic wellbeing, saying household income is the key to national progress.
“If you have no income in your home, you create problems not only for your family but also for the country,” he said. “The government receives taxes from what people buy. When you have no money, you are not contributing to your family or your nation.”
He urged citizens to embrace the NRM’s wealth creation programs and support his re-election bid to sustain the fight against poverty.
