BY: DOREEN NASASIRA
NTOROKO
The Minister of State for Luwero- Rwenzori Triangle, Hon. Kaboyo Alice has pledged on behalf of the ministry of Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle to support the civilian veterans of Ntoroko District with funds to transform their livelihoods.
She said the ministry will allocate UGX 40 million to the SACCO of the civilian veterans to support their projects and to boost their household incomes.
The Minister made the remarks during a meeting with Civilian Veterans in Ntoroko District on Thursday.
She called for mindset change among the civilian veterans and asked them to desist from engaging in only subsistence farming but to venture into economic activities that increase household incomes. She said the veterans need to embrace government programmes such as the Parish Development Model aimed to improve household incomes and eradicate poverty.
The Minister urged the veterans to consolidate the achievements of the NRA liberation struggle and to continue supporting the NRM party. She also asked them to share and narrate the events of the NRA liberation struggle authentically to avoid distortion of facts.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Ntoroko District, Hon. Tumwine Anne asked the government to support the locals with modern irrigation technologies. She also requested the government to improve the road infrastructure in the area.
The Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, Brig. Gen. Jacob Asiimwe clarified the issue of ‘Akasiimo’ money and the amount allocated to each beneficiary as well as the qualifications for membership to a civilian veterans group, which had spurred conflict among the civilian veterans.
According to the Civilian Veterans’ report presented by the Acting Chairman for the Ntoroko District Civilian Veterans Association, Sibihwa Zephaniah, the veterans thanked the government for implementing several Operation Wealth Creation programmes in Ntoroko District that have benefitted them. They requested the government to expedite the veterans’ compensation process and to consider them for the Nalubaale medal decoration in recognition of the role they played in the liberation war.
The meeting was also attended by Ntoroko District Resident District Commissioner, Meshach Kawamara and the LCV Chairperson, Williams Kasoro among others. End.
