West Nile Out to Reward Museveni in 2026 Polls, Says Minister Anite

In anticipation of the 2026 general election, State Minister for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite has expressed strong confidence i...

In anticipation of the 2026 general election, State Minister for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite has expressed strong confidence in President Yoweri Museveni's prospects in the West Nile region of Uganda. Anite predicts a substantial 93% vote share for the President, citing increased appreciation for his leadership and tangible benefits delivered to the region.

Anite conveyed her optimism from L'Hotel Le Confidentiel in Arua City, ahead of President Museveni's campaign rally in Yumbe District. Yumbe and Terego are key areas within the West Nile sub-region where the NRM presidential candidate is actively campaigning.

Key Factors Driving Support in West Nile

Anite highlighted several critical factors contributing to the anticipated surge in support for President Museveni:

• Improved Electricity Access: The commissioning of the 132kV power line, connecting West Nile to the national electricity grid via the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission line, has been a game-changer. This project has addressed decades of energy deficiency in the region, a long-standing grievance among residents.

  "Because of lack of electricity, our people have been saying: why is it that all the other parts of Uganda have reliable electricity, and West Nile does not? But as I speak, West Nile has been connected to the national grid. The team that is now going to connect this electricity to the rural areas is already working through the Ministry of Energy. So that excitement alone has made the people believe that President Museveni is a good leader," Anite explained.

• Enhanced Peace and Stability: The region now enjoys relative peace, a stark contrast to the past conflicts that led to displacement and exile in neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

  "The people of West Nile have had the President come out of West Nile in the names of Idi Amin. They still had that thinking in their minds--that President Museveni would not forgive them for the wrongs that they say Idi Amin committed. So they were living in fear in the beginning, and that's why they were not giving the votes," she noted.

• Reconciliation and Compensation: Anite emphasized President Museveni's efforts to reconcile with former rebel groups and ex-servicemen who had previously opposed his government. The compensation of these individuals, to the tune of Shs17 billion, has fostered a sense of inclusion and forgiveness.

  "Even those who fought President Museveni's government through those small rebel groups like the Bamuze Group, West Nile Bank Front, and others were not yet comfortable. Yet they have a big following in West Nile. So, the minute President Museveni started compensating them and gave out money to the tune of Shs17 billion, the people made up their minds."

  These ex-servicemen are now actively campaigning in support of President Museveni, conveying the message that he is a fair and forgiving leader.

  "Those ex-servicemen are talking to the people, telling them: get out, go and support President Museveni. He's a good leader; he's not vindictive. We fought against him, we fought his government, but he has kept us here. Not only has he not taken us to prison, but he is even compensating us for fighting him. So, because of that, they are mobilizing their people and we are having an organic mobilization."

• Impact of Wealth Creation Programs: The introduction of government wealth creation programs, such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), has been well-received in West Nile. These initiatives are seen as a direct demonstration of the government's commitment to improving the livelihoods of the people.

  "The fact that women have benefited--together with their husbands--and are moving as one entity through the Parish Development Model which has been given to them, has made a difference. They say they have never touched money from any government in their life. Even when their own son was president, they did not get money from that government. But President Museveni has given them money to secure their families, to feed them, and to start their own businesses," she stated.

  Anite believes that the tangible benefits derived from these programs have significantly increased support for President Museveni.

  "So the people are seeing real change because government has touched their lives through PDM. Because of this, they are coming to President Museveni's rallies in big numbers. I want to give this assurance: it will translate into 93% of the votes on election day."

Anite's assessment suggests a strong shift in political sentiment within the West Nile region, driven by a combination of improved infrastructure, reconciliation efforts, and targeted poverty alleviation programs. The 2026 election will serve as a crucial test of these claims and the extent to which they translate into electoral success for President Museveni.