For decades, West Nile has been lumped under Northern Uganda, a classification that, on paper, suggests unity. But in reality, many in the sub-region feel like an afterthought in the country’s development agenda. Their roads remain in disrepair, their power lines don’t reach far enough, their schools are too few, and investors rarely glance their way.
To the people of the West Nile, “Northern Uganda” seems to end in Gulu. The Acholi and Lango sub-regions, once ravaged by war, have become the poster children of post-conflict recovery, attracting the lion’s share of development projects. Meanwhile, the West Nile, with its unique challenges and untapped potential, remains stuck on the sidelines.
This growing concern has led leaders in the West Nile to formally petition the government for full regional status, hoping to gain more direct attention and resources to address their challenges.
During a visit by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to Moyo District, a determined group of leaders gathered, petition in hand, ready to make their case. At the helm was Williams Anyama, the Moyo LC V Chairperson, who did not mince his words.
“The people of the West Nile are not happy that our development interests are being hidden under Northern Uganda, yet Northern Uganda is perceived to be in the Gulu and Acholi sub-regions. “The people of West Nile do not get the required support and attention from the Ministry in charge of Northern Uganda as expected,” said Anyama.
He added that for years, government policies and programs have largely focused on rebuilding Acholi and Lango sub-regions after decades of war, while West Nile has struggled to secure similar investments despite its own unique challenges.
One of the most pressing concerns about the West Nile is its inadequate infrastructure. A drive through the West Nile is a lesson in frustration. The roads, riddled with potholes, tell the story of a region waiting for its turn to develop. Key road networks remain in poor condition, limiting economic growth and access to services.
Anyama urged the government to fast-track the construction of the Laropi-Omi bridge and the Laropi-Afoji-Jale road project, which he said would open up the region to cross-border trade.
Additionally, Moyo Town Council remains the only pre-independence town council that has not been elevated to municipal status. Meanwhile, contemporary town councils in other regions have been upgraded to municipalities and even cities.
Electricity is another ghost that haunts the region. Yes, Moyo is connected to the national grid—at least in theory. But venture further into the sub-counties, and darkness prevails. In Obongi District, even the district headquarters operate without power, an ironic testament to how overlooked the area has become.
Compared to Acholi and Lango, which have seen increased industrial investment, West Nile leaders argue that their region has been left behind in terms of economic opportunities.
It’s not that West Nile has nothing to offer. If anything, it’s a region brimming with untapped potential. In Metu and Itula sub-counties, the ground is rich with gold and cement-making minerals—resources that could transform the region’s economy. Yet, while investors flock to other parts of Uganda, West Nile waits for someone to notice.
Anyama revealed that Moyo District has set aside 200 acres of land near Afoji customs for the establishment of an industrial park and cross-border market. However, he expressed concern that the Uganda Investment Authority has not taken advantage of this opportunity.
“Moyo is endowed with high-value mineral resources, especially in Metu and Itula sub-counties, where there are huge deposits of gold and cement-making raw materials. We ask the government to interest investors in this sector,” said Anyama.
The issue of unfulfilled compensation pledges was also raised. West Nile leaders reminded the government about the long-standing pledge to compensate victims of the 2014 and 2018 cattle raids by armed groups from South Sudan. Many of the affected families have lost their livelihoods, with some children forced to drop out of school. Additionally, 77 former workers of a spinning mill in Lira from the West Nile sub-region have yet to receive their payments.
Access to essential services such as education and healthcare remains a challenge in West Nile. Anyama noted that Moyo District has ten lower local governments, but half of them do not have a single secondary school. This lack of infrastructure has severely affected access to education, especially for rural communities.
Water isn’t much better. The Pajakiri Piped Water Project, which was supposed to provide clean drinking water, has stalled indefinitely. Thousands of residents continue to rely on unsafe sources, while government officials shuffle paperwork.
In Dufile Sub-county, the farmers have a different kind of struggle: elephants. Herds of them roam into villages, trampling crops and destroying property. It’s a problem that has persisted for years, yet the government’s intervention remains minimal.
In many ways, West Nile’s struggle is mirrored in this story—people fighting for survival while a force much larger than them takes what little they have left.
Prime Minister Nabbanja assured the people of West Nile that their concerns had been noted and promised that relevant ministries would be dispatched to assess and address them.