By: Ismael Kasooha
SERERE
The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has asked parents in the country to prioritize the education of the girl child to empower communities.
“When you educate the girl child, you will have educated the nation because such girls will be empowered and consequently have a better country,” said Nabbanja.
While officiating at the belated women’s day celebrations for Serere District held at Odungura Primary School in Olio Sub County, Nabbanja stressed the need to educate children with emphasis on girls because of the transformative role they play in society.
The global theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’, which Uganda has adopted as her national theme.
PM inspecting an exhibition during the Serere District Women’s Day Celebrations
Nabbanja said that women play a pivotal role in the transformation of society and all efforts must be geared towards women to improve the livelihoods of the people.
She said that women are key in production in homes and if they are not empowered the transformation that Uganda envisions is difficult to achieve.
The premier said that the Government of Uganda has allocated 30% of all funds under the new Parish Development Model to women so that they are not muzzled by the dominance of men.
Nabbanja said that women still have an opportunity to benefit from the youths docket especially those below 35 years and also the elderly women can also be catered for in the docket of the elderly.
“This government is determined to transform women and that is the reason priority is given to women in all interventions,” said Nabbanja.
Nabbanja donated UShs 20m to women groups in Serere District to help them buy heifers per Sub County so that they can revolve among women.
The Prime Minister rallied the people of Serere District to embrace the new government programme of Parish Development model to improve on their household incomes.
Meanwhile leaders from Serere District briefed the Prime Minister that they are stuck with funds meant to construct schools and health centers following the president’s directive on using the Army brigade to do construction works.
The Serere District LC V Chairman Stephen Ochola, said that they are stuck due to the presidential directive regarding the use of the Army Brigade to carry out construction works.
“We are stuck with contracts such as the renovation of the maternity ward which had its roof removed before the presidential directive was issued. We request that we be allowed to finish the work using the usual process,” said Ochola.
Responding to the plea the Prime Minister said that the president has written allowing districts to use the contractors to do works but only for this financial year.
“The President has Okayed the use of the contractors to accomplish works but for only this financial year. So you can go ahead and complete the work,” said Nabbanja.
PM serving cake during the Women’s day celebrations in Serere District
The Serere District Woman Member of Parliament who also doubles as the State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa told the Prime Minister that Serere is faced with many challenges which require urgent intervention from the government.
“We request that you allow us to come to your office as leaders from Serere District and present our issues, especially the presidential pledges so that they can be worked on,” said Adoa.
Women of all walks of life could not hide their excitement for celebrating their day, and thanked the government for the interventions aimed at empowering women.
The function was characterized by exhibitions where women displayed their income generating activities, actively participated in the parade mounted by the police, prisons, students, pupils and several women groups.
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