Kyambadde declares her intention to stand as MP as busieness tycoons Francis Kakumba, Sudhir Ruparelia, Godfrey Kirumira, Meddie Ssebaggala and Gordon Wavamunno show their support at Nswanjere Primary School on Saturday

By Jude Kafuuma

Leaders of Mawokota North in Mpigi district have asked the principal private secretary (PPS) of President Yoweri Museveni to stand for Parliament in 2011.

“With all you have done in Mawokota, it is clear that you can lead this constituency. We are ready to receive you. Come and stand and we shall rally behind you,” the RDC of Mpigi, Katenda Luutu, urged Amelia Kyambadde.

He made the appeal on Saturday during the launch of Twezimbe Development Association in Muduuma, a community-based organisation initiated by Kyambadde.

The PPS said she was ready to serve her constituents. “This is the beginning of poverty eradication in Mawokota North. I am ready to take up the challenge after your call,” she told residents and supporters.

The function attracted a mammoth crowd, ferried in buses to the venue by the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) from Kiringente, Kakiri, Mpigi, Kammengo and Muduuma.

The chief guest at the launch was businessman Gordon Wavamunno of Spear Motors, Tumpeco and WBS TV.

He was accompanied by city tycoons Sudhir Ruparelia of Munyonyo Speke Resort, Godfrey Kirumira, who deals in real estate, Medi Ssebaggala, a brother of the Kampala mayor, who deals in electrical appliances.

Also present were Umaru Kakumba, who owns warehouses in the city, and Neeraj Srivastav, the Indian ambassador to Uganda.

Sudhir offered sh50m towards the establishment of an office for the association, while the members of Bagagga Kwagalana (solidarity of the wealthy) association offered sh10m to start construction work.

Wavamunno pledged to furnish the offices with furniture and offered computers for administrative work.

The Lebanese community in Uganda offered 500 hoes, eight balls and a sports trophy for sports activities in the sub-counties of Muduuma, Kiringente, Kamengo and Mpigi town council.

Various local councillors tried to deliver speeches but their words were drowned out by chants of ‘Amelia’.

The newly launched association plans to establish income-generating activities as well as health, education, sports and recreation centers.

It will also engage in infrastructural development, livestock farming, water and sanitation improvement.

Recently, the President offered piped water in Mpigi town council under the Twezimbe Development Association.

Kyambadde said as a child, she realised there was a big gap between the rich and the poor and her vision was to get people out of poverty.

“There is need to create substantial household income and improve infrastructural development, which has been my dream from childhood,” she told the crowd.

“We should stop lamenting. Unite and work hard regardless of our sects or religious affiliations.”

However, she said the association still faced challenges of identifying sources of finance and unemployment among the youth.

She thrilled the crowd and made heads turn when she knelt down on the wet ground to introduce her husband.

The two went around the crowd, waving and dancing to the popular song of Bread and Butter by Mozey Radio and Weasel.