Soroti, Uganda | The NRM Eastern Region Vice Chairperson and Soroti City West MP aspirant, David Calvin Echodu, has appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to focus government attention on transforming Soroti City into a modern industrial hub and to support the development of key social facilities in the region.
Speaking during President Museveni’s rally in Soroti City on Monday on his fourth day of campaigns in the Teso Sub-region, Echodu praised the President for the peace and stability ushered in by the NRM government but said Soroti still lags behind other regional cities in investment and industrialization.
“…Your Excellency, Soroti City has only two factories in our industrial park. Our ability for value addition on cassava, simsim, groundnuts, grains, and cattle remains low…,” Echodu said. “…We need more support to attract investors and develop the sports and education sectors…”
Echodu appealed to the government to rehabilitate Oligoi Football Stadium, a key sports facility in the region, and to support the ongoing consultations with investors to turn it into a regional sports hub.
He also revealed plans by local leaders and partners to construct a modern golf course and establish a Science University in Soroti City on UBC land in Dakabela, saying all arrangements with American investors and government agencies were in the final stages.
“…With your continued guidance and support, we are ready to make Soroti a modern city. Even our youth are beginning to invest at home…,” he told the President.
Echodu thanked Museveni for reinstating the NUSAF program, which he said had previously transformed livelihoods and education across Teso.
He also commended the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) initiative for turning Teso into a major fruit-growing region, citing the Soroti Fruit Factory as a cornerstone for local economic transformation.
He urged the government to encourage more investors from Kampala to set up industries in Teso to create jobs and enhance rural incomes.
On agriculture, Echodu welcomed the President’s proposal to give five cattle per household, calling it a “symbol of hope” for rebuilding Teso’s cattle-based economy that was devastated by past raids and conflicts.
In his remarks, President Museveni praised the people of Teso for their resilience and contribution to the country’s stability, recalling that it was in Teso that his forces defeated key rebel groups during the liberation struggles.
“…Teso is where we defeated the rebels. It is where we first used gunships in Amuria to crush the rebel group. That victory gave us peace in the whole country…,” he said.
Museveni highlighted NRM’s seven key contributions to Uganda, emphasizing peace, unity, infrastructure, and socio-economic transformation.
He said NRM’s foundation is built on patriotism and pan-Africanism, not sectarian politics.
The President outlined several projects completed under NRM in Teso, including major road networks connecting Mbale-Kumi-Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini and Soroti-Moroto, as well as expansion of electricity to nearly all sub-counties in Soroti.
He revealed that 73% of Soroti District’s villages now have access to clean water, and irrigation schemes have been established to boost agricultural production throughout the year.
Museveni also announced plans to upgrade health facilities in the district, including: Upgrading Kamuda Health Centre III to Health Centre IV; Upgrading Aukot, Awaliwal, Lale, and Ochokichan Health Centres II to Health Centre III; and Constructing a new Health Centre III in Tubur Sub-county.
He cautioned leaders to ensure equal distribution of government primary schools across parishes to guarantee balanced education access.
Echodu assured the President of unwavering support from Teso, emphasizing that the region stands firmly with NRM to protect the gains made over the years.
“…Your Excellency, under your visionary leadership, Teso has changed. There is peace, stability, and economic recovery. With your continued strategic guidance, NRM is full of new energy, and the sky is the limit…,” Echodu said.
The rally ended with chants of “NRM Oyee, Museveni Oyee!” echoing across Soroti City as thousands of supporters cheered the President.
Museveni’s visit to Soroti marked the fourth day of his campaign in the Teso Sub-region as he continues to deliver his 2026 manifesto to the people.
