Muntu pledged to create a tractor-hire scheme and distribute free oxen ploughs to boost agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the area. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

 
Most National Resistance Movement (NRM) stronghold districts are lagging in terms of development, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential flag-bearer Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu has said.

According to Muntu, the districts, which have consistently overwhelmingly voted for NRM but are lagging in terms of development, include Luwero, Omoro, Abim and Amudat.

“If you look at the development indices, you will realise that these districts are lagging behind. These include Kisoro, which has been voting 100% NRM, Bundibugyo, Buhweju, Kiruhura, Kazo, Kaabong, Abim, Amudat, Kapelebyong, Kitgum, Kotido, Kanungu, Buyende, Kapchorwa, Luwero and others,” he says.

During the rally, Muntu wondered whether the districts, which have overwhelmingly voted for President Yoweri Museveni since 1996, have benefited from their loyalty to the ruling NRM government. (All Photos by Stuart Yiga)

The ex-army commander was addressing a crowd of supporters at a campaign rally at Opit Upper, Omoro town council in Omoro district on November 4, 2025.

During the rally, Muntu wondered whether the districts, which have overwhelmingly voted for President Yoweri Museveni since 1996, have benefited from their loyalty to the ruling NRM government.

“What have these districts got to show for their support?” he said, pointing to the numerous development projects that have been promised but not delivered.

According to Muntu, who named them on his fingertips, the districts that have consistently voted for President Museveni have not seen the kind of development they deserve.

“It does not help you to be called NRM strongholds if you do not have good road networks in your sub-counties, if you do not have drugs in your health centres, if your children are not accessing quality education, and if your children are still paying bribes to get public jobs,”  

Muntu offers hope

Muntu promised to reconstruct those areas after voting in 2026, claiming that he has capacity to select a good leadership team to deliver services to the people.

“The mess we are in now in our country is not going to be solved by political compromises but by the majority of Ugandans who are trusted to construct their country back on the right track,” he optimistically said.

In every tribe and religion, the best candidates have pulled out of politics and are on the sidelines doing business with others, quietly fearing to face the wrath of the government.

“There is no way this country will change leadership without honest men and women in politics,” he warned.

I have no problem if you like anybody else, but you need to trust me because I am trustworthy, he confirmed.

Muntu pledges tractor-hire scheme, free oxen ploughs to Lango  

Muntu pledged to create a tractor-hire scheme and distribute free oxen ploughs to boost agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the area.

“Oxen ploughs are vital tools for many farmers in the region, and under my government when elected into power in 2026, we shall provide them for free to reduce the financial burden on farmers who cannot access soft loan credits in the existing Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCOs),” he promised.

According to the presidential candidate, the existing SACCOs have been exploiting farmers who are the foundation of our economy and 'that’s why we shall set up an agricultural bank and revive co-operatives to market our produce at reasonable prices, which lifts farmers from poverty in the region.

“You are not like other regions of Uganda, which are hilly and mountainous. The Lango region lies in flat plains, which facilitate extensive agriculture on a large scale. We need to support this under my government,” Muntu said.

Muntu’s initiative seeks to address the challenges faced by farmers in Lango who often struggle with limited access to modern farming equipment and techniques.

“By providing tractors and oxen ploughs, we shall be aiming to increase crop yields, reduce farming costs and enhance food security in the region,” he assured.

When you allow us to revive cooperatives in Uganda, individual farmers shall be empowered as it was done during the days of the Uganda Peoples’ Congress government under former president Apollo Milton Obote.