By Henry Okurut
As the National Resistance Movement marks 40 years of liberation, Minister Hellen Adoa has credited the government under President Yoweri Museveni for bringing peace to Uganda, calling it the nation’s greatest achievement.
In a candid interview, Adoa reflected on her personal experience growing up amid insecurity, recalling nights spent in bushes with her siblings during times of unrest. “The biggest achievement President Museveni and NRM have brought to Uganda is peace,” she said. “Peace allows people to wake up, go to their gardens, run businesses and send children to school even if government support is limited.”
Adoa, who has since become a successful entrepreneur and school builder, emphasized that peace laid the foundation for development across the country. She particularly highlighted the transformation of Teso and Karamoja, where roads, infrastructure and industries are now emerging in regions once plagued by conflict.
On government programs, Adoa praised the Parish Development Model (PDM), describing it as a “bullet that has gone to every household.” She urged the government to focus on highly populated parishes, where residents may take longer to benefit from PDM funds, suggesting that allocations there could even be doubled to ensure equity.
Looking forward, Adoa expressed excitement about the cow restocking program, anticipating that the first beneficiaries in Teso, Lango and Acholi will soon receive funds to rebuild their livelihoods. “I want to see my village person get 5 million on their phone and change their family’s environment,” she said.
Adoa also spoke passionately about Uganda’s fisheries sector, calling it a key driver for national revenue and local livelihoods. She warned against illegal fishing practices, emphasizing that proper management of lakes like Victoria and Albert could generate over 100 million shillings daily. “If we fish well, protect our lakes and eliminate illegalities, fisheries can transform families and the country,” she said.
The minister concluded by congratulating the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the professional army for maintaining peace and security, which she described as a prerequisite for national growth. “I have seen President Museveni cherish peace, and we must all protect its gains,” Adoa said.
From her days as a child in a camp to becoming a political leader and entrepreneur, Adoa’s story mirrors Uganda’s journey from conflict to stability, underscoring peace as the cornerstone of the NRM’s four-decade legacy.
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