Lango Lauds Museveni for Landslide Victory

By Patrick Okino

Hundreds of residents from the Lango sub-region gathered at Lango College playground in Lira City on Saturday to welcome President Yoweri Museveni during victory celebrations following his recent electoral win.

The President arrived at 4:10 p.m. to thunderous ululation from crowds that had assembled as early as 8:30 a.m. Ahead of his arrival, the grounds were electrified by local musicians and entertainers who treated attendees to vibrant performances of music.

President Museveni was received by several leaders, including Government Chief Whip and NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda Denis Hamson Obua, Health Minister Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero, Minister for Northern Uganda Dr. Kenneth Omona, Director General of the External Security Organization Joseph Ocwet, and State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara among others.

In his address, President Museveni outlined five priority areas for Lango, including restocking programs and improving road infrastructure to ensure roads remain motorable. He also warned against corruption in the Parish Development Model, urging leaders to take a firm stance, noting that “there is enough space in Luzira Prison” for offenders.

Obua making speech before inviting President Museveni

Obua described Lango as the best-performing sub-region in Northern Uganda, revealing that it delivered 538,044 votes—representing 84.48%—in support of the President.

“Your Excellency, your coming reflects the biblical teaching of Jesus healing ten lepers, where only one returned to give thanks, as recorded in the Gospel of St. Luke,” Obua said. “Today, we gather to thank God, the people of Lango, and all Ugandans for the triumphant and landslide victory in the 2026 presidential election.”

He added that the NRM campaign strategy relied heavily on grassroots structures, from village to national level, guided by the party’s Central Executive Committee.

Obua further noted that out of Uganda’s 18 sub-regions, the President revisited only four where three of which were in Northern Uganda: Acholi, Lango, and West Nile.

He credited the region’s contribution to the overall victory, stating that out of 7.9 million votes nationwide (71.65%), Northern Uganda contributed 1.411 million votes.

Tracing Lango’s voting trend over the years, Obua highlighted significant growth in support for Museveni:

1996: 61,608 votes (17.3%)
2001: 76,929 votes (20.7%)
2006: 45,012 votes (13.3%)
2011: 233,725 votes (56.4%)
2016: 291,295 votes (50.7%)
2021: 387,939 votes (65.7%)

Ambassador Joseph Ocwet reflected on the region’s political journey, noting that although Lango residents were initially apprehensive when the National Resistance Army took power in 1986, President Museveni restored hope and stability.

“Today is the happiest day of my life since January 26, 1986, when I was a student at Lango College,” Ocwet said. “We are now witnessing the fruits of the NRM struggle, which is why we organized this celebration.”