IN KAMPALA: MUSEVENI AGREES BUHWEJU DISTRICT BE SPLIT

President Yoweri Museveni switches on power at the newly constructed Office of the President in Buhweju district on Tuesday. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa

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By Raymond Baguma & Chris Mugasha                    

President Yoweri Museveni has said the Electoral Commission needs to split Buhweju district into two constituencies because of its size and large population.

Museveni, who is continuing his special antipoverty programme for veterans of the liberation war, was touring Buhweju district Tuesday.

As a justification, he said that available statistics indicate that the population of Buhweju had over the years increased from 34,000 to 105,000 people presently.

“Buhweju should have two constituencies I agree,” Museveni said. 

He also said that the network of roads linking the district is difficult because of the hilly terrain and pledged to also tarmac the 15-mile road to the district from Bwizibwera in Mbarara.

He said that government will implement a uniform and standardise countrywide development plan to construct primary school at every parish in the country. Also, every sub-county in the country will have a secondary school, as well as a hospital in every constituency in the country.

He said that Buhweju district was one of the key areas that supported the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) liberation struggle by offering a large network of supporters, rebel contacts as well as an important base.

“It was here (Buhweju) and Semliki that we trained almost 9,000 fighters that helped capture Kampala,” Museveni said.

He said that when the NRA spread out from Luwero to open the western axis, the group had about 4,000 soldiers. However, Buhweju with a large network of organised supporters boosted the numbers which enabled NRA to capture the capital city.

The veterans had earlier in a memorandum pledged to continue supporting the NRM and requested for a financial boost to their Savings and Credit Cooperative as well as payment of their outstanding gratuity.

They said that out of the approved 122 beneficiaries for gratuity, only 72 have so far received their money.

Present were ministers Irene Mulong (energy), Eng. Abraham Byandala (works), Kamanda Bataringaya (primary education), and Bright Rwamirama (animal husbandry), Jessica Alupo (education and sports).

The President explained that he launched the veteran’s antipoverty drive after he was mobbed by a group veterans who wanted him to address their individual problems during last month’s Heroes Day commemorations in Nakaseke district.

Museveni also instructed the ministry of education and sports to ensure that repair works are carried out on Bistya Primary School which was used as a barracks by the NRA soldiers. He also said that the veterans would be provided with tea, and coffee seedlings for income generation.

The President introduced UPDF officers who are to work alongside Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh to promote income generation amongst veterans’ families in the country.

The President also commissioned a 3 phase power line to supply electricity to Burere Tea factory which started in March 2011. He also commissioned the Presidential lodge, admisntration block and resident district commissioner’s office.

Buhweju constituency MP Ephraim Biraaro said as a result of extension of electricity to the area, many cottage industries have sprung up in food processing, welding, grain milling, milk cooling as well as lighting in schools.