The President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is set to begin a six-day campaign trail across the Teso sub-region this afternoon, with Kapelebyong District as his first stop, in what is expected to be one of the most closely followed tours ahead of the 2026 general elections.
According to David Calvin Echodu, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, the President’s visit is designed to consolidate the ruling party’s achievements in the region and to engage the population on critical development issues, top among them being cattle compensation, restocking, and infrastructure development.
“I’m excited to announce that the President will this afternoon arrive in Teso Region, beginning with Kapelebyong,” Echodu told TNN Online on Thursday Morning at Soroti Hotel.
“After Kapelebyong, the President will proceed to Kaberamaido and Kalaki tomorrow, and then Amuria and Katakwi on Saturday. Sunday will be a rest day, and on Monday he will be in Soroti District, Soroti City, and Serere. The following day, he will visit Ngora and Kumi, before concluding with a grand rally in Bukedea on the 5th, then proceed to Bugisu that same afternoon.”
Echodu noted that preparations across all the districts are in “high gear,” adding that despite recent rains that have affected a few roads, the enthusiasm of the people remains unmatched.
“I was in Kapelebyong yesterday, and I can tell you the excitement is real. People are mobilized, and the local leadership is ready. Katakwi, Kalaki, and Kaberamaido are fully set. The people of Teso are eager to receive their President,” he said.
Echodu emphasized that as the President engages with communities, the issue of cattle compensation and restocking remains one of the top concerns raised by the people and local leaders across Teso.
“There are overarching issues that affect the entire Teso region, the question of cattle, restocking, compensation, health, education, and infrastructure. These are matters that continue to shape the livelihoods of our people,” Echodu explained.
He noted that many residents lost their herds during past insurgencies and cattle rustling, and that government’s commitment to compensating affected families is viewed as a major step toward economic restoration in the region.
“Cattle are not just a source of income but a symbol of identity and pride among the Iteso. Addressing this issue comprehensively will reaffirm the NRM government’s commitment to the people of Teso,” he said.
While acknowledging the challenges still facing the sub-region, Echodu urged the people to adopt a balanced outlook that recognizes both the achievements and the remaining gaps.
“We don’t want to begin from a negative side. There is a tendency for people to forget what has already been done and only focus on what is lacking,” he said. “For example, when we talk about infrastructure, people forget how difficult it once was to travel from Soroti to Moroto. Today, that journey takes barely an hour.”
He highlighted ongoing and completed road projects such as the Lira–Soroti, Soroti–Mbale, Kumi–Ngora–Serere–Kagwara, and Serere–Soroti roads, saying these developments have transformed trade and accessibility within the sub-region.
“People are making money on those roads now. Farmers can reach markets faster, and transport costs have reduced significantly,” Echodu added.
Echodu further applauded the government for restoring lasting peace and security, particularly in districts like Kapelebyong that were once affected by instability.
“People in Kapelebyong are happy and excited about the peace they are enjoying today. They even worry that the soldiers might be moved,” he said. “This shows that the NRM’s investment in peacebuilding has yielded results.”
He pointed out that nearly every sub-county in Teso now has a health center and a secondary school, facilities that form the backbone of local development.
“These institutions may not yet be perfect, but they provide a strong foundation for future progress. The NRM government has built from scratch, putting in place the structures that allow for growth,” he noted.
Echodu also reflected on Uganda’s broader development trajectory, urging citizens to contextualize the country’s progress over time.
“Uganda is a young country. We don’t claim to be developed yet, but we’ve done a lot within a short time. Remember, Britain is over 800 years old; the United States is over 250 years old and only became a global power about a century ago,” he explained. “NRM has laid the foundation for sustainable development within just a few decades.”
He emphasized that the region’s task now is to “protect the gains” made so far under the NRM government while working to close the remaining gaps in service delivery and economic empowerment.
Echodu called on the media, party structures, and the general public to rally behind the President during his Teso tour, describing it as both a political and developmental mission.
“I urge everyone, the media fraternity, leaders, and the people of Teso, to turn up in big numbers and welcome the President. Let’s give him a resounding reception,” he said. “We saw in West Nile, Acholi, and Karamoja how people came out in unity. Let us not lag behind.”
As President Museveni prepares to address rallies across the region, expectations are high that his message will focus on protecting the NRM’s achievements, addressing local economic challenges, and strengthening grassroots structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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