President Museveni has cautioned citizens against listening to politicians opposing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, emphasizing their role in maintaining Uganda's peace.
 
Addressing leaders of NRM grassroots structure from Lango Sub-region at Lango College on Sunday, December 7, 2025, the NRM presidential flagbearer, who has been in power since 1986 when he shot his way to State House through a guerrilla warfare, highlighted the importance of stability, urging citizens to prioritise the country's progress.
 
Mr Museveni, 81, said his administration, working hand-in-hand with other auxiliary forces like Amuka militia, has been able to bring peace to Uganda, arguing that “we are not in leadership looking for anything but the future of Uganda and Africa.”
 
“And all these people who are challenging the NRM, nobody has contributed anything to that peace. So, you, the people of Lango, you must be very serious. It's not a joke. You cannot go and play around with Uganda. Uganda is not something to play around with,” he said.
 
His remarks come amid ongoing political tension in Uganda ahead of the fast-approaching 2026 General Election, whose presidential campaigns started peacefully but have gradually degenerated into violence, with police and military accused of brutalizing some of Mr Museveni’s opponents. 
 
Mr Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for close to 40 years and is still seeking re-election in the 2026 General Election, said through his sweat and that of other fighters, God has finally blessed Uganda with peace.
 
“Therefore, anybody who does not want to contribute to that peace, that's up to him. This is their own mistake. We are not people to be used. They think that we are just people to be played around with. We are loyal to the fraternity, but of course, we know how to fight also,” he warned.
 
President Museveni said the NRM government has done a lot for Uganda, warning that even God will not be happy with those who cannot appreciate the NRM’s efforts.
 
“People who are playing around should really be very careful. In 1985, when we arrived here (Lango), we found people being slaughtered by a boy called Ojuku. He was killing people here. In 1986, we had to clear that group of Ojuku, then deal with the Kony, Lakwena, the cattle rustlers, and we don't appreciate those efforts. We would not be happy with that type of lack of appreciation!” he reiterated.

However, Mr Museveni’s critics accuse his government of runaway corruption, impunity, and human rights abuse, with hundreds of opposition supporters in detention on different charges, which the opposition claim are trumped up.

The opposition also accuses Mr Museveni of perpetuating the crimes he accused past governments of as he championed a five-year rebellion, which he claimed would mark a fundamental change and not a “mere change of guards.”

The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, appealed to the people of Lango to support President Museveni's re-election bid, citing his significant contributions to Uganda's development.
 
She highlighted key appointments, including the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Minister of Health, and Government Chief Whip, as evidence of Museveni's affection for the Lango community.
 
Show of appreciation
 
The Bukedea Woman MP stressed that Mr Museveni's leadership has yielded tangible benefits for Lango, urging citizens to reciprocate with their votes. She praised Museveni's commitment to the region's development.
 
The Government Chief Whip, Mr Denis Hamson Obua, who doubles as NRM’s northern Uganda vice chairperson, made a passionate plea for the government to prioritise road infrastructure development in Lango.
 
He highlighted the dire state of roads in the sub-region, noting that less than 5% have been tarmacked.
 
Longstanding challenge
 
Mr Obua, who is the Member of Parliament for Ajuri County in Alebtong District, emphasized that the poor road network is hindering economic growth and access to essential services in Lango.
 
The Government Chief Whip further urged the government to invest in upgrading the roads to improve the lives of citizens.
 
Call to action

As a senior government official, Mr Obua's appeal underscores the need for urgent attention to Lango's infrastructure challenges, according to NRM cadres in Lira City.
 
Mr Phillip Ogile, the LC3 chairman of Abok Sub-county in Oyam District, believes that Mr Obua’s statement is expected to galvanize efforts to address the longstanding issue.

Mr Museveni faces seven other candidates seeking to eject him from State House in the 2026 General Election.

Mr Museveni’s main contender, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi who’s challenging him for the second time since 2021 has accused him (Museveni) of using state machinery, such as the military, police, Electoral Commission, courts of law and other state coercive insyitutions to frustrate his attempts to mobilise support ahead of the General Election which many political commentators fear will likely be violent like many others before it.