ARUA CITY — On Saturday, March 22, 2025, the West Nile Effort for Museveni, a pressure group founded by individuals including the late former Vice President Gen. Mustafa Adris and the late Hon. Col. Ibrahim Abiriga, convened to amplify President Museveni’s vision and mobilize support for him and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Gen. Mustafa Adris served diligently as Vice President under President Idi Amin Dada, but went into exile after the 1979 war. He and many others endured hardships during that period. When President Museveni assumed power in 1986 with the NRA/M, he extended an open-door policy to all exiled Ugandans in what was then Zaire (now DRC) and Sudan, inviting them to return to Uganda and contribute to national development and transformation.
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Many were apprehensive at the time, but some boldly returned to what were the ruins of the former glory of Arua, encompassing present-day Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha, Terego, Madi Okollo, Arua City and District, as well as Moyo (Obongi, Moyo, and Adjumani). They began rebuilding from scratch. Arua town was a shadow of its former self, lacking power and water, with bombed structures and numerous other challenges.
The returnees feared that President Museveni’s new government might retaliate against them, as had occurred after the 1979 war. However, to their surprise, they were protected, and the government gradually began restructuring, rebuilding lives, establishing government authority, and providing services.
The West Nile Effort for Museveni was formed to express gratitude for President Museveni’s significant gesture in facilitating the return of exiled Ugandans. Building trust within the West Nile community has been a gradual process. The region also faced the challenge of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which terrorized northern Uganda, particularly Acholi, and disrupted connections to West Nile, causing widespread suffering, loss of life, and property damage.
Over time, the pressure group has championed efforts to mobilize votes for President Museveni and advocated for positive mindset changes and participation in government programs such as Emyooga, PDM, Youth Livelihood, and Operation Wealth Creation, among others, aimed at social-economic transformation and development.
The West Nile Effort for Museveni operates across the West Nile region (Adjumani, Terego, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe, Arua City and District, Madi Okollo, Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo, Obongi, and Moyo) and has participated in national celebrations across the country.
Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, NRM Secretary General, who was the Chief Guest, hosted by Hon. Atima Jackson Lee Buti, MP Arua Central Division and Government Regional Whip, as well as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Coordinator for West Nile, along with Hajati Medina Naham, Director of Finance and Administration at the National Resistance Movement (NRM), expressed appreciation for the foundation laid by the founding fathers of the West Nile Effort for Museveni. He also commended the promotion of the NRM’s core values of Pan-Africanism, Democracy, Patriotism, and Social-Economic Transformation, which have been the party’s guiding principles. The Secretary General toured the value addition facility at Awindiri, the new market, interacted with vendors, and held a public engagement at the compound of the late Hon. Col. Ibrahim Abiriga, where he addressed various issues.
“I want us to stand up and observe a moment of silence in honor and memory of those great people who started this pressure group. Twenty-five years is a significant milestone worth celebrating. As someone who grew up here, I am aware of the transformation that has taken place. In fact, President Museveni has performed beyond expectations. He recalled our fathers from exile and aggressively worked around the clock to ensure security and peace prevailed,” Todwong noted.
He assured the people that roads from Pakwach to Panyimur through Zombo to Arua, all the way to Moyo via Koboko and Yumbe, and again through Obongi via Rhino Camp and back to Pakwach, would be fixed. A new bridge connecting West Nile to Acholi via Moyo and Adjumani will be constructed, and plans are underway to address the aging Pakwach bridge.
“I want the people of West Nile to appreciate the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs and enroll their children to gain general knowledge about life, business, and other areas. Utilize the health facilities and the national grid connection for industrial and commercial development,” he emphasized.
At the new market in Arua City, he assured vendors that no one would force them out to a private market. The 39 billion shilling market was constructed by the government to support vendors and transform the business environment for social-economic transformation.
He donated 10 million shillings from the NRM party to the West Nile Effort for Museveni to support their Super Yellow Project, which produces quality corporate branded and customized shirts for NRM and other interested groups. This initiative aims to empower group members and improve household incomes. He also donated 5 million shillings to Arua Central Market fish vendors to support their association. He rallied them to continue supporting President Museveni.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Obiga Kania Mario, Minister of State for Lands and Housing Development; Hon. Obiga Rose, Woman MP Terego; Hon. Lematia Ruth, MP Maracha East; Hon. Adriko Yovan, MP Vurra County; Hon. Odria Yorke Alioni, MP Aringa South; Hon. Avako Melisa Gule, Woman MP Yumbe District; Hon. Dr. Musa Noah, MP Koboko North; Hon. Leku Joel, MP Terego West; Hon. Ayaka Rose, MP Emeritus Maracha District; Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and District Chairpersons (LCVs); NRM district chairpersons; religious and cultural leaders; councilors; youth; Patriotic League of Uganda members; security personnel; and people from across the region.
Richard Todwong encouraged the people of West Nile to engage in farming to supply the value addition facility, which has the capacity to process large quantities of produce and supply the markets of DRC and South Sudan.
Youth and Ghetto:
“I encourage you to prioritize education, and upon completing your studies, seek employment and establish yourselves before considering marriage. Once you are stable, find a Godly spouse and form groups to promote production and sustain the foundation established by the government, such as investment clubs and farming groups. Participate in government programs designed to support you. Maintain a positive outlook, and your life will have positive impacts,” he emphasized, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the development of all people.
Hon. Obiga Kania expressed appreciation for the Secretary General’s gesture in recognizing the cadres and taking the time to meet with them, not only during elections. He reminded the people of West Nile of the challenging conditions they faced before the NRM took power in 1986 under President Museveni’s leadership, when they were unable to worship freely, conduct business, or tend to their gardens. He called upon the people to vote wisely and support the NRM in the 2026 elections.
MPs assured the Secretary General of their continued support for the secretariat team and expressed gratitude to President Museveni for supporting the people of West Nile through various interventions, including PDM, Emyooga, and improvements in education and health service delivery.
Hon. Atima Jackson Lee Buti, MP Arua Central Division, thanked President Museveni for the new market, Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) roads, streetlights, Yumbe regional referral hospital, the upgrading of Arua regional referral, the establishment of Muni University, and the connection to the national grid, which now provides reliable industrial power for development and youth employment. He also highlighted the importance of peace and security, which have prevailed for nearly 40 years. He appealed to President Museveni and the government to support the Ghetto within the region, as has been done in other regions.
Hajati Medina Naham expressed appreciation to the Secretary General for honoring the invitation and appealed to President Museveni to continue supporting the region through more appointments and investments to create employment.
“I urge our people to foster unity, combat drug abuse among young people, educate their children, work hard to improve their lives, and safeguard peace and security for a better future and a conducive business environment,” Hajati Medina Naham stated.
KOBOKO:
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, as part of his regional tour, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong engaged with West Nile leaders, including Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for Primary Education; Hon. Huda Oleru, Minister of State for Veterans Affairs; Hon. Atima Jackson Lee Buti; Hon. Dr. Musa Noah; Hon. Afidra Olema Ronald, MP Lower Madi; Hon. Adriko Yovan; Hon. Dr. Aate Sharifah Taban; Hon. Odria Yorke Alioni; RDCs led by Emma Mitala of Koboko; LCV chairpersons; NRM district chairpersons; CAOs; town clerks; religious and cultural leaders; and others. They discussed various issues, including service delivery, NRM manifesto progress, and the fight against corruption within public service.
He encouraged the people of West Nile to continue supporting the NRM across all levels, from LC1s to the President, to ensure smooth and coordinated service delivery channels, where all would supervise only technical staff. He assured the leaders of the government’s commitment to improving the lives of Ugandans.
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