Lira, Uganda | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to consider upgrading the 42.4km Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road to tarmac, describing the project as vital for trade, connectivity, and tourism in Lango.
The promise was made during a meeting with NRM leaders from across the sub-region at Lango College on Sunday, 7 December 2025.
The meeting, attended by all NRM district and city chairpersons, LC1–LC5 leaders, Members of Parliament, and security officials, aimed to review development progress in Lango and mobilise support ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Northern Uganda NRM Vice Chairperson and Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, who represents Ajuri County in Alebtong District, urged the President to annex the Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road to either the Dokolo–Namasale or Lira–Aloi–Alebtong Road corridors.
Obua highlighted four key justifications for the project: improving connectivity by shortening travel distances from Lango to Acholi and Karamoja through the Amolatar and Kaberamaido ferries, promoting trade by easing the movement of goods to markets, boosting tourism by linking the sub-region to attractions such as Kidepo Valley National Park and enhancing regional integration through stronger transport links between districts.
Obua noted that Lango remains at less than 5 per cent tarmac connectivity, the lowest in Uganda, despite leading in other social indicators such as schools and health centres.
He also requested similar engagement meetings in West Nile and Acholi, describing the current outreach in Lango and Bukedi as “unprecedented.”
Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female) Anita Among, who is also the Woman MP for Bukedea District, applauded the President for bringing stability to Lango. She welcomed leaders from all districts, noting attendance of over 15,000 youth, who are now actively participating in party mobilisation.
Among also emphasised the importance of increasing facilitation for LC1–LC5 leaders to improve monitoring of government programmes and called for a “wheel of unity” from the President down to village structures to ensure consistent support for NRM candidates in 2026.
President Museveni responded to Obua and Among, highlighting the government’s commitment to development and NRM manifesto pillars, which he outlined as: Peace, development, wealth creation, jobs, service delivery, markets and political federation (East African Federation/Strategic Security).
On the Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road, Museveni endorsed Obua’s proposal for consideration, stating that the road would boost trade and mobility within Lango.
He also indicated that the project could start with first-class maram construction, followed by eventual tarmacking.
He assured leaders that NRM would continue rewarding effective mobilisation efforts, noting plans to increase LC facilitation from 10,000 to 100,000 shillings, with flexibility to adjust based on performance.
Museveni further underscored the need for electoral unity, stressing that votes for the President must be followed by votes for parliamentary and local government NRM candidates.
“You cannot vote for Members of Parliament when you are not voting for the President,” he said, urging a seamless chain of support from grassroots structures upwards.
During the meeting, leaders noted several development milestones delivered since the 2012 Lango Conference, including: Establishment of Lira University, upgrading of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, construction of Akiibua Stadium, initiation of several strategic roads, including Rwekunye–Lira–Puranga, Dokolo–Kaberamaido-Amolatar–Namasale, and Aboke–Ngai–Bobi.
Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing these projects and ensuring equitable development across the sub-region. He also acknowledged the contributions of NRM MPs and ministers from Lango who oversee major government budgets in health, trade, and agriculture.
The meeting demonstrated the NRM’s strategy of direct engagement with village-level leaders, aiming to consolidate electoral support while addressing developmental concerns.
Leaders and participants lauded the President for listening to grassroots voices and for pledging to tackle key infrastructure gaps, particularly road connectivity, which remains a significant enabler of trade and regional integration in Lango Sub-region.
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