First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, has urged Ugandans, particularly the youth, to vote for peace and stability as the country moves toward the 2026 general elections.
Speaking at a rally in Nebbi District, where she accompanied President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his campaign trail on Saturday, Janet Museveni reminded voters to cherish the peace that Uganda currently enjoys, warning them not to take it for granted. “Every one of us who has a vote has a responsibility to vote for a peaceful Uganda,” she said. “Many of our elders still remember the painful days when Uganda was torn apart by violence and instability.”
She emphasized that peace is the foundation of national development and prosperity, noting that without it, no country can thrive. “If we mishandle the peace we have, there will be no other homeland to run to,” she cautioned.
Janet Museveni further encouraged citizens to take personal responsibility in protecting Uganda’s peace and freedom: “Please remember, you have a responsibility to your family, to your district, and to your country to ensure that peace and freedom remain in Uganda. And God is using the NRM in this season to fight for that freedom and peace.”
Museveni Reaffirms NRM’s Commitment to Peace and Unity
President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM presidential flag bearer, echoed his wife’s message, stating that Uganda’s peace and stability are a result of the NRM’s inclusive ideology and firm stance against sectarian politics. “NRM has been active on the Ugandan scene for the last 65 years,” he said. “The reason there is peace in Uganda today is because we don’t believe in sectarianism not of religion, not of tribe, and not of gender. We value every citizen equally.”
The President explained that before independence, Uganda’s political landscape was sharply divided along religious and tribal lines, which made it difficult for any political group to achieve national unity. These divisions, he noted, were the root cause of the instability that plagued the country for decades.
“By 1965, we had seen the danger of sectarianism and said no, this is very dangerous,” Museveni recalled. “That is how we began youth study groups, which later evolved into the NRM.”
He praised the NRM’s guiding principles of patriotism and Pan-Africanism, crediting them for uniting Ugandans and building strong national institutions such as the army, police, and civil service institutions that serve all citizens without discrimination.
Progress in Education and Infrastructure
President Museveni also highlighted Uganda’s progress in the education sector, particularly in the West Nile sub-region. He pointed out that in 1961, there were only three A-level schools across the entire country, while Nebbi District alone now has eight government secondary schools, most offering A-level education. “This shows how far we have come,” he said, emphasizing the government’s ongoing efforts to expand educational access and improve infrastructure across the region.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing road networks, education, and social services in West Nile and other regions, ensuring that all Ugandan children have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
In closing, both President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni reminded Ugandans that the peace and progress they enjoy today are a direct result of the NRM’s vision, urging them to protect and sustain it through their votes in the upcoming elections.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
