President Museveni meets Acholi opposition leaders, agreeing to unite for socio-economic development. Both sides commit to collaborative efforts to combat poverty, improve education, and address healthcare challenges in the region, prioritizing the interests of the Acholi people over political affiliations. The leaders emphasize the importance of unity to create impactful change.
On March 13, 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held a meeting with Acholi opposition leaders to discuss unity and development in the Acholi sub-region. Both sides agreed to set aside political differences to combat poverty and drive socio-economic transformation. The President emphasized the importance of collective effort for sustainable development, reflecting on Uganda’s historical challenges and advocating for national unity in contrast to earlier political divisions.
During the meeting at State House in Entebbe, Museveni noted Uganda’s political instability roots traced back to 1961, attributing past failures to the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and highlighting the necessity of a unified approach. He argued, “The difference between Uganda and Tanzania is that Tanzania started its politics with unity, while Uganda’s politics began with division.” He emphasized that the collapse of alliances further deepened societal rifts that have hampered development.
The President addressed the misconception that past connections to Acholi fighters should have guaranteed the region’s development, citing sectarianism as a deterrent to unity and acceptable progress. He stressed the significance of reconciliation rather than revenge and encouraged a focus on poverty eradication through models like the Parish Development Model (PDM). Museveni acknowledged the challenge of funding substantial parishes and underscored a need to adapt support strategies to parish sizes.
On education, Museveni advocated for establishing accessible secondary schools in every sub-county to promote mass education. He pointed out that, “The only way to provide mass education is through day schools,” underlining the necessity to enhance Universal Primary and Secondary Education. In healthcare, he promoted preventive measures to address health challenges efficiently, asserting that focusing on preventive health could eliminate many illnesses.
Presenting on behalf of the opposition leaders, Hon. Okin Ojara emphasized their collective commitment to serve the Acholi people, stating, “We may belong to different political parties, but our focus is on fighting poverty and driving socio-economic transformation in Acholi.” The establishment of the ‘Operation Harmony’ platform exemplifies the collaborative effort of opposition members to prioritize the region’s development over political divides.
The leaders also stressed the need for a robust Transitional Justice Framework to address mental health issues stemming from past conflicts. They proposed creating a Mental Rehabilitation Center in Acholi, advocating for the rehabilitation of existing facilities for better service delivery to those affected.
Additionally, the MPs called for improvements in healthcare infrastructure, emphasizing the upgrading of Kitgum General Hospital and the establishment of new healthcare facilities. They highlighted implementing the President’s Musevenomics strategy to boost local productivity through planned agricultural initiatives, particularly focusing on cash crops.
Hon. Hillary Onek emphasized the need for collective unity among Acholi leaders to address development challenges, highlighting that political differences aggravate regional setbacks. He urged unity for future progress, stating that division has hindered the development agenda.
Lastly, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan called for a unified front to combat persistent poverty, arguing that prioritizing the interests of the Acholi people transcends political affiliations. The meeting served as a platform for collaboration among leaders towards shared development objectives, advocating for the prosperity of the Acholi sub-region.
The meeting between President Museveni and Acholi opposition leaders marks a significant step toward unity and socio-economic development in the Acholi sub-region. Both sides recognized the need to overcome political differences and focus on collaborative strategies to address regional challenges such as poverty, education, and healthcare. By fostering unity and shared purpose, the leaders aim to drive meaningful transformation for the people of Acholi and promote long-term stability and development.
Original Source: www.mediacentre.go.ug
