By:  Ismael Kasooha

KITGUM MUNICIPALITY

On Friday May 9, 2025, the Rt. Hon.  Prime Minist

er of the Republic of Uganda, officiated at the belated Women’s Day Celebrations for Kitgum Municipality organised by the State Minister for ENvironment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar.

During the celebrations, Nabbanja Robinah received supporters of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party in Kitgum District who decided to join the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ruling party.

Residents of Kitgum Municipality welcoming the Premier at Boma Grounds

While handing over the defectors Beatrice Anywar the State Minister for Environment said she could not leave her supporters in FDC.  Anywar said a number of the FDC members had been left orphaned and it was time for them to join the NRM.

“In Acholi culture, when a woman or mother divorces, she goes with her children. I couldn’t leave behind the people I canvassed to join FDC when I joined the NRM,” said Anywar.

On arrival in Kitgum District, Acholi sub region, the Prime Minister was received by joyful market vendors of Kitgum Main Market constructed by the Government of Uganda.

Nabbanja inspected the market as she interacted with the vendors and supported their businesses, encouraging them to be focused and utilize the available government programmes to grow their businesses.

“As market vendors you need to love your job and be trustworthy to succeed. Don’t be diverted but be focused and learn to save and invest,” said Nabbanja.

The Premier used the same visit to lay a Foundation stone at Kitgum Comprehensive Secondary School for the construction of a girls’ dormitory block and pledged to support them.  The school although being private, has an enrolment of over 2000 students.

FDC Converts at Kitgum Boma Grounds

Nabbanja also visited Christ the King Catholic Church that is currently under construction and St Janan Luwum Anglican Church both in Kitgum Municipality.  The Premier promised to support the churches with shs.20m each and iron sheets.

Rev. Fr. John Mark Oryem the Dean of Kitgum Mission Deanery hailed President Yoweri Museveni for supporting the church which is under construction.

Nabbanja, while addressing hundreds of women and other residents of Kitgum, implored the people of the area to support government programs aimed at wealth creation.

“The NRM government has established several interventions aimed at wealth creation such as Emyooga, PDM, GROW, YLP and I encourage you to join them to improve your household incomes,” said Nabbanja.

She appealed to the people in Acholi to continue supporting President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM government for continuity of peace and stability in the country.  She encouraged the people of Kitgum to ensure that they take their children to school and remain in school until the end to increase literacy levels and address other challenges.

The Premier quoting Margaret Thatcher the former UK Prime Minister, “When you want something said, tell it to a man but when you want something done, tell it to a woman,” arguing that women are action oriented.

She encouraged women to prioritize girl child education because when you educate a woman, you will have educated a nation.

Gen Otema Wan, who also attended the Women’s Day celebrations, asked the people of Kitgum to carefully guard the peace and security ushered in by the NRM Government.

“You have to jealously guard the peace and security we currently enjoy so that our region can develop. Use the vast land we have to increase production and hence better incomes at household level,” said Otema.

The Premier was given many prizes in appreciation for visiting Kitgum District.

END