By: Ismael Kasooha
HOIMA
President Yoweri Museveni has lauded Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom for its commendable role in the socio-economic transformation of the people in Bunyoro sub region.
He congratulated the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom His Highness Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru (I) and the people of Bunyoro upon the 29th Empango anniversary.
“I congratulate His Royal Highness the Omukama of Bunyoro upon 29 years of his restoration unto the throne of Bunyoro. I also congratulate all the people of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom upon celebrating 29th year since 1994 when the Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru (I) was installed. I hail you for the support you have shown since installation and this is a testimony that you are united for a good cause,” said the President.
In his message delivered by the Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja at Rukurato Grounds in Hoima City, the president said that 29 years is commendable for it has yielded many developments in the Kingdom that have transformed the lives of the people.
The Queen of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Her Highness Margaret Karunga Adyeeri welcoming the Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja during the Empango celebrations at Rukurato Hall in Hoima
The president said that the Kingdom had supported Schools, hospitals and other social services due to the mobilization efforts of the Kingdom leaders and stakeholders.
“The milestone of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom of 29 years is commendable for it has yielded many developments in the Kingdom that have transformed the lives of the people. Schools, hospitals and other social services have been supported and established due to the mobilization efforts of the Kingdom leaders and stakeholders. This is very commendable progress that needs to be furthered in more areas that deserve the total economic transformation of our people to ensure sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance,” the statement read in part.
The President appealed to traditional leaders to mobilize their subjects to embrace government programmes aimed at improving household incomes.
“When the NRM restored cultural institutions, it had a clear forecast of what exactly Uganda was supposed to be in such a time regardless of what the naysayers were thinking. We believed that cultural institutions would work harmoniously with government once handled well by the leaders and the subjects. We have therefore worked towards our goal of liberating Ugandans from poverty through our different programs and such developments as we observe in Bunyoro especially in Hoima, are a dream come true to the NRM leadership and a testimony of your good partnership with us,” he said.
Museveni added that the unity of Ugandans and of East Africans was of paramount importance in the socio-economic transformation of our society. He noted that the regime was aiming at improving the livelihoods of the people towards self-sufficiency and sustainability and creating a market for their produce not only locally but also in the African region.
Museveni said that it was, therefore, practically difficult to divorce cultural institutions from social sector service delivery and development not only in Uganda but also throughout a large part of the African continent and that cultural institutions were a formidable force in the development process of the country and Africa in general.
“The NRM Government values, with gratitude, this contribution and will continue supporting cultural institution development initiatives. This is because by supporting them, we are directly synergizing the development of the nation in general; hence, offering a blueprint for generations to come,” he said.
He called upon the leadership of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to continue sowing the seeds of love, unity, discipline, sacrifice, hard work, integrity, patriotism etc. among the people and avoid ethnic tensions which cause the spirit of division which ruins development.
“I want to take this opportunity to call upon all of you present here and the entire nation, to take the examples around and work hard to get rid of poverty from your homes. Government has put in place programs such as Emyooga, OWC, PDM aimed at helping the population to begin income generating projects that will help improve family incomes. Families should utilize the available land to initiate commercial farming projects such as coffee, fruits, banana plantations and Dairy heifer farming among others,” he said.
Museveni said that the NRM Government’s mission was to enhance the pace of socio-economic development through implementing far-reaching changes in the livelihoods of the people of Uganda by transforming the Ugandan economy and households.
“I launched the Parish Development Model to integrate 3.5 million households that are currently in the subsistence economy into the money economy and to create wealth and jobs. The Model is an extension of the Government’s approach to development as prioritized under the Third National Development Plan (NDP III). I urge the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom leadership to support the government by highlighting the fight against all forms of corruption to the subjects in our communities. Traditional institutions should play a very crucial role in enhancing unity among our people in view of building them,” the message read.
The 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga said that the relationship between Busoga and Bunyoro was historical and must be renewed every time.
The Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija assured the people of Bunyoro that the government had finalized all plans to have Bunyoro University operationalized.
The Queen of Bunyoro Her Highness Margret Karunga Adyeeri thanked president Yoweri Museveni and the NRM government for loving and supporting Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
“We appreciate President Yoweri Museveni for the support given to us for all this time and we are very grateful,” the queen said.
The Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Andrew Byakutaga thanked government for supporting the development of Bunyoro but reiterated the request to government to fulfill the return of other Kingdom properties.
The President contributed UShs.50M cash towards the Empango celebrations and pledged support to Kingdom activities.
The Queen of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Her Highness Margaret Karunga Adyeeri talking to some Members of Parlaiment from Tooro during the Empango celebrations at Rukurato Hall in Hoima
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