Presidential hopeful Mugisha Muntu has vowed to safeguard Karamoja’s mineral resources and guarantee that local communities reap tangible benefits from the region’s wealth.
Speaking at campaign rallies in Napak and Moroto districts, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) leader said it is unacceptable for Karamoja to remain one of Uganda’s poorest regions despite being rich in gold, marble, and other minerals.
“Karamoja is rich. What is missing is justice and fairness in how these resources are managed. When we come into government, the people of this region will be the first beneficiaries of their own minerals,” Muntu told a crowd of supporters.
Muntu emphasized that under his administration, mining activities would be strictly regulated, and revenue from natural resources would be channeled into community development, infrastructure, and social services.
In addition to resource management, Muntu highlighted education as a cornerstone of national transformation. He pledged to increase teachers’ salaries, improve learning facilities, and strengthen the education system to provide children in rural areas with equal opportunities.
“A nation cannot grow without investing in its teachers and its children. We shall prioritize education because it is the foundation of transformation,” Muntu said.
The rallies marked the conclusion of Muntu’s first phase of campaigns in Karamoja, and he is expected to continue his presidential campaign in the Teso sub-region starting tomorrow as he builds momentum ahead of the 2026 general election.
Reactions from residents in Moroto were mixed. While some welcomed Muntu’s emphasis on fairness and local resource protection, others expressed skepticism about whether opposition parties could realistically implement such reforms.
Karamoja has increasingly become a strategic battleground for presidential candidates, given its mineral wealth and historically underserved communities. Muntu’s campaign positions him as an advocate for equitable resource management and investment in social services in the region.
