Vote hunting Museveni pledges oil wealth will fund infrastructure revolution in Lango
The President assured supporters that with the new oil funds, road construction would accelerate, making priority routes such as Soroti–Amuria–Obaranga–Otuke viable for immediate tarmacking.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for the 2026 General Election, promised thousands of cheering supporters in the Lango subregion on Thursday that Uganda is on the brink of a “historic economic leap” fueled by imminent oil revenues.
Traversing Alebtong and Otuke districts, where he held his third and fourth rallies of the regional swing, the President anchored his message on the long-anticipated oil sector, projecting it as the financial backbone that will finally resolve Uganda’s lingering challenges in road networks, electricity provision, and essential social infrastructure.
Speaking at the Orum Primary School grounds in Otuke, Museveni assured the crowds that the expected influx of petroleum dollars in 2026 would be strictly managed and directed towards productive investments.
“Under my government, oil money will never be used to import whisky and wigs from China or perfumes and such things,” H.E Museveni emphasized, drawing loud applause. “That oil money will help us transform infrastructure—roads, railways, electricity, and some of the schools.”
Addressing the Roads Deficit
While acknowledging the significant progress made in extending electricity transmission lines across Lango—notably visible in areas that previously lacked power—the President conceded that the region’s road network remained a major bottleneck.
He specifically cited the poor condition of key routes such as the Lira–Aloi–Patongo–Abim road as unacceptable, pledging immediate action to upgrade the network.
“That road must be tarmacked, and we shall tarmac it,” Museveni pledged.
The NRM chairman defended previous infrastructural delays by placing them in the historical context of national security needs.
“Some people may say we have delayed, but the delay was because we had many things to deal with. Remember, the money we were spending on the army to fight Kony would have been used for this work,” he noted.
Proof of Delivery and Future Priorities
To demonstrate the government’s capacity to deliver even without petroleum revenues, the President listed several completed infrastructure projects, including the Tororo–Mbale–Soroti–Dokolo road, the Rwenkunyu–Apac–Lira Road, and the Kitgum connection.
He assured supporters that with the new oil funds, road construction would accelerate, making priority routes such as Soroti–Amuria–Obaranga–Otuke viable for immediate tarmacking.
“Fortunately, NRM is here, and now with petroleum coming, it will be quicker and easier,” he said.
Museveni closed his remarks with a commitment to efficiency and project completion.
“We are going to stop the indiscipline of starting things and not completing them. Soon you will see machines working on these roads with good murram as we wait for tarmacking,” he reassured the local leadership and supporters.
The rallies in Alebtong and Otuke are part of the President’s ongoing tour to consolidate support and communicate the NRM’s strategic vision for leveraging natural resources to achieve national economic transformation ahead of the 2026 electoral cycle.
