President Museveni Pledges Upgrade for 43km Alebtong Dokolo–Amolatar Road, Mobilizes 15,000 NRM Flag Bearers in Lango ahead of 2026 general elections
By Okidi Patrick
LIRA, UGANDA – December 7, 2025: In a powerful show of political and developmental resolve, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to consider upgrading the 43 kilometer Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road to tarmac during a well-attended National Resistance Movement (NRM) rally at Lango College Playground on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The gathering, which brought together over 15,000 NRM party flag bearer, youth leaders, LC1 chairpersons and LC5 NRM flag bearers, Members of Parliament, security officials, and district chairpersons from across the Lango sub-region, marked a significant electoral mobilization effort ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Addressing the crowd,at Lango College playground, H. E. President Yoweri Museveni acknowledged the poor state of road infrastructure in Lango sub- region, noting that the region has less than 5% tarmac coverage—among the lowest in Uganda—despite its high performance in education and health sector development.
“The Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road is strategic. It connects key districts, supports agricultural trade, and offers a direct route from Lango to parts of Karamoja and Acholi via Amolatar and Kaberamaido ferries,” Museveni said. “We will consider upgrading it to first-class murram, with plans for eventual tarmacking.”
The President endorsed a proposal by Northern Uganda NRM Vice Chairperson and Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua (MP for Ajuri County, Alebtong District), to integrate the Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road into either the Dokolo–Namasale or Lira–Aloi–Alebtong corridor for prioritization in infrastructure funding amidst jubilation from the flag bearers.
Obua outlined four major justifications for the upgrade:
Enhanced connectivity: Reducing travel time and distance between Lango, Acholi, and Karamoja.
Economic growth: Facilitating the movement of goods—especially agricultural products—to regional and international markets.
Tourism potential: Providing a smoother route to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s premier wildlife destinations.
Regional integration: Strengthening inter-district collaboration and security cooperation.
“Lango has contributed greatly to national stability and development. It’s time we see equitable infrastructure investment,” Obua urged, also calling on the President to conduct similar outreach meetings in West Nile and Acholi, which he described as equally critical for national cohesion.
Grassroots Mobilization and Political Unity
Lango’s youth turned out in massive numbers, with Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Anita Among, celebrating the energy and commitment on display.
“They are not just spectators—they are mobilizers, flag bearers, the future of this party and country,” said Among, who also represents Bukedea District in Parliament.
She proposed a legal amendment to make NRM officials ex officio members of local councils to strengthen party-government collaboration. “When the party and government machinery move as one, development accelerates,” she said.
Among also called for increased facilitation for local council leaders—from LC1 to LC5—arguing that adequate funding would improve monitoring of government programs at the grassroots. President Museveni responded positively, announcing plans to increase LC facilitation from UGX 10,000 to UGX 100,000 per month, with performance-based adjustments.
“Let’s build a ‘wheel of unity’—from the President down to the village. This is how we win in 2026,” Among added.
While addressing concerns over unemployment, President Museveni emphasized that jobs are not solely created by government but through individual creativity and enterprise. He cited the growing industrial park in Mbale as evidence of private-sector-driven job creation.
“The government creates an enabling environment. But Ugandans must be innovative—start businesses, add value to agriculture, embrace technology,” Museveni said, urging Lango youth to look beyond public sector employment.
He also confirmed plans to meet with youth from the Lango sub-region in Masindi later this month as per their request.
A Strategy of Engagement
The Lira meeting is part of a broader NRM strategy of direct engagement with local leaders across Uganda, strengthening both party unity and electoral readiness. With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the government is combining promises of infrastructure development with enhanced party mobilization.
Leaders present lauded the President for listening to grassroots concerns and committing to address long-neglected development gaps.
“This is what leadership looks like—coming to the people, hearing us, and making real promises,” said one LC5 chairperson from Oyam District.
As the Dokolo–Bata–Abako–Aloi Road dream inches closer to reality and party structures are galvanized, the NRM’s 2026 campaign is gaining momentum—with Lango at the heart of the drive.
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