As the people of Busoga prepare to welcome President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who will begin his visit to the subregion on Wednesday, January 22, 2024, officials from the State House have visited to assess some of the key locations the President will tour.
One of the key stops will be Luuka District, where the President will meet with a beneficiary of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program, Mr. Mukasa Eriot, a resident of Buwanda Village in Bugomba Parish, Nawampiti Sub County. During their visit, State House officials, led by Thopacu Alfred Owinyi, Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, convened a meeting with PDM beneficiaries and local residents at Bugomba Primary School in Luuka. The meeting was an opportunity for residents to express their challenges with the PDM program in their area.
Mirembe Catherine, the Sub County Chief of Nawampiti, informed the officials that Bugomba Parish had received a total of 117 million Ugandan shillings for the first phase of the program, followed by an additional 100 million Ugandan shillings for the second phase. She highlighted that these funds have enabled beneficiaries to start various enterprises such as fish ponds, dairy farming, and horticulture, which have contributed to economic growth in Bugomba Parish.
Birinde Paul, the LC III Chairman of Nawampiti Sub County, stated that Nawampiti is made up of five parishes: Nawampiti, Bugomba, Nawankompe, Nakiswiga, and Buyoola. He emphasized that the PDM program has played a significant role in helping people escape poverty and urged President Museveni to ensure the program continues indefinitely. He also thanked the RDC’s office for working in collaboration with the district to ensure the success of the PDM initiative in Luuka.
Nawampiti Sub County NRM Chairman Moses Matege expressed gratitude to President Museveni for choosing Luuka District, and especially Nawampiti Sub County, as one of his visit destinations. He confidently stated that President Museveni would win 99% of the vote in Luuka due to the positive impact the PDM program has had on the local economy. Matege also prayed for the President’s continued health and longevity.
Deputy RDC Luuka, Hassan Ssembalirwa, accompanied by Assistant RDCs Rogers Ntogona and Baker Luwangula, commended Mr. Mukasa Eriot for effectively using the PDM funds he received to start a business, which has now flourished. This success story is one of the reasons the President will visit his home. The Deputy RDC also urged the youth to stop wasting time begging for small amounts of money in trading centers and instead embrace government programs, which he believes are the key to escaping poverty.
Ssembalirwa shared an exciting government initiative to provide computers to parishes and sub-county offices to support PDM activities. However, he condemned some leaders in Luuka District who have been personalizing government programs, which he described as counterproductive.
The residents and beneficiaries, led by Musongole Joseph, the PDM Chairman in Bugomba Parish, expressed their gratitude to President Museveni for the PDM funds, which they believe have helped lift them out of poverty. They also raised some challenges, including the distance to veterinary officers, the lack of extension workers, and the absence of water pumps for irrigation.
Thopacu Alfred Owinyi, Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, confirmed that President Museveni will visit Bugomba Parish in Nawampiti Sub County on Wednesday, January 22, 2024, to meet with the PDM beneficiary. He also assured the people of Luuka that the State House team’s visit was meant to assess the challenges faced by residents in relation to the PDM program.
Owinyi reassured the people of Luuka and the rest of Uganda that the issues raised during the visit are common across many regions and that efforts will be made to resolve them. He emphasized that State House officials are committed to ensuring that the PDM program runs smoothly and benefits the people without hindrances.
