Lira, Uganda | A senior government official has hailed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s socio-economic agenda as a winning strategy for Lira City and the broader Lango Subregion, predicting that the President could secure more than 80% of the vote in the region in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
In a detailed commentary, Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele, the Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Lira City, commended President Museveni’s leadership for fostering peace, investing in infrastructure, empowering communities through the Parish Development Model (PDM), and promoting youth skilling.
Alele stated that the socio-economic progress witnessed in the region was tangible and far-reaching.
He added that initiatives such as PDM, youth skilling programmes, infrastructure development, and peace efforts had proven President Museveni’s commitment to transforming lives.
Alele described the Parish Development Model as the most transformative initiative under President Museveni’s administration.
He explained that the programme directly targets 39% of Ugandans engaged in subsistence farming by offering financial capital and planning tools at the grassroots level.
In Lira City alone, he revealed that over UGX 15 billion had been disbursed to community SACCOs, benefitting vulnerable groups including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and smallholder farmers.
He noted that the funding had enabled beneficiaries in City East and City West Divisions to undertake various ventures such as piggery, poultry, livestock farming, and produce trading.
Alele said that the model represented a fundamental shift in national development philosophy, as it placed development decision-making in the hands of local communities while receiving funding and oversight from the state.
The Assistant RCC also emphasised the government’s commitment to technical and vocational training under the Skilling Uganda initiative and the establishment of the Lango Zonal Presidential Skilling Hub.
He pointed out that institutions such as Uganda Technical College – Lira had been upgraded to produce graduates with hands-on skills relevant to the modern job market.
Alele indicated that the industrial hub in Lira City West is equipping youth with expertise in tailoring, carpentry, welding, and other trades, empowering them to compete not only locally but globally.
Reflecting on Lango’s past, Alele said that the subregion, once destabilised by insurgency, had become a zone of peace and economic recovery due to President Museveni’s intervention.
He stated that the President’s decision to disarm rebel groups, deploy the UPDF, and invest in professionalising security structures had restored public confidence.
Alele observed that this peace now allowed farmers to transport produce safely, children to attend school without fear, and investors to consider Lira as a viable destination.
He emphasised that peace was not just the absence of war but also the presence of security, law, and opportunity, all of which he said the president had delivered.
Alele credited President Museveni’s administration for spearheading infrastructure improvements across Lango, citing the upgrading of roads such as Lira–Kamdini, Apac–Lira–Kitgum, and the USMID-funded city roads.
He said these developments had eased mobility, boosted trade, and attracted new investments to the city.
He further explained that Lira’s elevation to city status had resulted in greater development funding, better planning, and improved service delivery.
The Assistant RCC added that street lighting, water access, and electricity coverage had also significantly improved under the President’s leadership, directly enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Alele described the ongoing construction of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium as one of the most significant national projects in the region.
He said the UGX 470 billion (US$129 million) facility was a tribute to John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s first Olympic gold medallist.
He noted that the foundation stone had been officially laid by President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni on 29 January 2025, signalling the start of a long-awaited project.
According to Alele, the President clarified during the launch that the project’s delay was not due to neglect but a deliberate prioritisation of essential sectors such as peace, infrastructure, health, and education before investing in large-scale sports infrastructure.
He reported that the Egyptian consortium SAMCO National Construction Company and Khater Sports was handling the construction, with completion expected by February 2027.
Alele detailed that the stadium would feature:
• A 20,000-seat main stadium with athletics track
• A 2,000-seat indoor arena
• A semi-Olympic swimming pool
• Outdoor courts for multiple sports
• A 60-bed athlete hostel and clubhouse
• Parking space for over 1,000 vehicles
Supporting infrastructure such as ICT systems, roads, sewerage, and security systems, he revealed that by early 2025, earthworks were 85% complete, site mobilisation had nearly concluded, and structural piling was ongoing.
The workforce was expected to expand to around 1,000 labourers.
He stated that the decision to name the stadium after Akii-Bua was intended to honour a sporting icon whose legacy had inspired generations across the country.
Alele projected that the stadium would bring far-reaching benefits, including job creation during and after construction, growth of local businesses such as hotels and transport, and a platform to develop athletic talent in the region.
He believed it would become a unifying symbol for the people of Lango, boosting regional pride and fostering a stronger cultural identity.
According to Alele, President Museveni’s leadership style continues to inspire public trust because of his strategic planning, consistency in programme implementation, inclusive governance, and willingness to engage with citizens.
He cited Vision 2040, NDP III, and the Industrialisation for Job Creation agenda as examples of long-term planning frameworks that have consistently guided national progress.
He also highlighted Universal Primary Education, emyooga, and continued investment in technical education as policies that had remained well-funded and impactful over time.
Alele further noted that the President had always kept close contact with communities through barazas, regional tours, and structured engagements with RDCs and other leaders, demonstrating responsiveness and adaptability.
Alele concluded that the people of Lango are likely to reward President Museveni with overwhelming support in 2026, not out of political tradition, but because of real, visible transformation and a leadership style grounded in results.
He asserted that the region’s historical values of integrity and service appreciation would lead them to once again place their trust in President Museveni, whom he described as a tested and visionary leader.
