The National Resistance Movement party Presidential flag bearer, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sent a strong political signal nationwide after tens of thousands of residents flooded campaign grounds in Terego and Yumbe districts.

The Wednesday incidents have turned his rallies into a massive show of force reshaping the tone and expectations of the 2026 elections in the region.

On Wednesday, 16th October, 2025 while Leju Stadium in Terego and Geya Playground in Yumbe, residents filled every available space, with thousands climbing trees, rooftops, trucks and road barriers to catch a glimpse of the NRM presidential flag bearer.

Local leaders described the turnouts as the largest in West Nile’s campaign history surpassing even previous election cycles and a direct testament to NRM’s support in the region.

In Terego district, the NRM flag bearer arrived to thunderous cheers, ululations, and dancing crowds dressed in party yellow colors and delivered a fiery message focused on wealth creation, accountability, and national unity.

“Peace alone is not enough. You do not sleep on a tarmac road. If poverty is in your house, it will wait for you,” Museveni charged.

He urged locals to embrace income-generating projects under government programs like Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

A cheering mammoth crowd that welcomed President Museveni at Leju Stadium in Terego district.

Museveni declared that the era of mere infrastructure celebration was over, now every household must enter the money economy.

The message hit home in a region long battling poverty despite major government investments in roads, schools, health centers, and electricity.

On corruption, Museveni warned that any leader who steals funds meant for the poor will be exposed and punished. He directed citizens to report PDM irregularities directly to his office.

He also condemned government schools that charge illegal fees despite receiving capitation grants, instructing the Ministry of Education to act immediately.

“Anyone sabotaging free education will face consequences,” the President warned.

Museveni commissioned the new Leju Sports Stadium in Terego, the first sport facility in the district, and revealed plans to construct six primary schools and one secondary school to reduce overcrowding.

While in Yumbe, he addressed a mammoth crowd at Geya Playground, where excitement reached fever pitch as he announced progress on mega road projects including the Koboko–Yumbe–Moyo highway whose construction is ongoing and will be tarmacked, the extension of a 132KV high-voltage power line to spark industrial growth.

A huge crowd that welcomed NRM presidential candidate President Museveni at Geja Playgrounds in Yumbe district.Clip by Ronald Odongo

“You cannot eat the road or power line, you must use them to create wealth,” he said.

Museveni rallied farmers to abandon subsistence farming and adopt commercial production.

He promised more seedlings for cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, and fruits, and pledged a new model farm in Yumbe to train residents in modern agribusiness.

“Government will support you but you must be ready to work smart,” he said.

Yumbe NRM chairperson Majid Aniku revealed over UGX 60 billion had already reached 19,000 households, calling it a transformative milestone.

“When we brought peace, you succeeded. Whether Lugbara, Madi, or Alur we are one Uganda and one market,” Museveni said, turning the rally into a patriotic chant.

As he left both venues, supporters chased his convoy for several kilometers singing, waving flags, and dancing in the streets.