President Museveni is expected in Yumbe District this Saturday as the chief guest at the West Nile Peace Day Celebrations, marking 23 years of peace in the region since the guns went silent. The event, to be held at Yumbe Boma Grounds, will bring together thousands of people under the theme: “23 Years of Peace and Progress: Uniting West Nile for Socio-Economic Transformation.”

Among the expected attendees are local leaders, former combatants, and residents keen to hear the President’s renewed commitments to peace and development in West Nile. According to Ambassador Philip Idro, the President will also make a special financial pledge to ex-fighters of the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF).

“We’re heading to Yumbe with the expectation that the President will bring good news for the UNRF ex-combatants,” Idro said.

However, tensions loom as some local leaders have reportedly considered boycotting the event in protest over recent killings in Zoka Forest. In response, Gen Moses Ali, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Adjumani West, has called on all leaders to attend and raise their issues respectfully.

“The President is the Fountain of Honour. Let’s use this opportunity to express our concerns in unity,” Gen Ali urged.

Adding to the preparations, Geoffrey Feta, Chairperson of the West Nile Parliamentary Caucus, revealed that regional MPs are finalizing a memorandum to present to the President. The document outlines the region’s key concerns and demands, including issues of infrastructure, youth unemployment, healthcare, education, and border security.

While West Nile has remained peaceful in recent years, the region still struggles with poor roads, underfunded public services, and economic challenges, partly compounded by the strain from hosting large refugee populations.

Leaders hope this engagement with President Museveni will jumpstart the much-needed development agenda, helping West Nile secure its fair share of national resources. They emphasized that their demands are not pleas for handouts, but calls for equity in the nation’s development framework—particularly under Vision 2040 and the Parish Development Model.

“We’ve been loyal and resilient as a region. Now we ask for progress and fairness,” one leader said ahead of the rally.

News Source: Nile Post Media