By Jude Kafuuma

THE Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) presidential aspirant, Dr. Olara Otunnu, has praised the Government over the improved tertiary education system.

Otunnu has been touring various districts in the east and western regions campaigning to become UPC president.

While addressing journalists yesterday at the UPC headquarters in Kampala, Otunnu decried the appalling state of the districts he visited but praised the Government for the tertiary education standards.

“I visited Mbarara University and observed the standard at which the institution was set up. This is a credit to the Government,” Otunnu said.

He also hailed the Government over the improved roads in some areas of the country. He cited the Karuma-Arua road and the Northern By-pass in Kampala.

Otunnu said: “These are good roads that indicate some good work done by the Government.”

However, Otunnu decried the high level of poverty and corruption and the limited health services.

On Uganda’s education system, Otunnu said the high fees structure in private schools is a sign that the entire system should be overhauled to accommodate the less-privileged.

“Only children who go to the mushrooming private schools get quality education. The entire system should be revisited right from the bottom to universities,” he urged.

Otunnu said Uganda needed to return to its former glory when everyone lived above the poverty line, respected people’s rights and the land tenure system.

He said there is no terror, force or intimidation that will stop him from transforming the livelihood of
Ugandans.

“There is a wind with a fire of change blowing throughout Uganda. I am here for a cause and there is no force, terror or intimidation that will stop this transformation,” he said.

He criticised security forces working under the Government for stopping him from visiting some places during his tour.

Armed Police recently blocked Otunnu from visiting Kagadi Hospital, a coffee factory and the former Uganda Commercial Bank building in Kagadi town. They said Otunnu’s visit had not been authorised.

Meanwhile, Otunnu’s camp is short of funds to run his campaign.

“We are short of funding and moving on strings. This has made our work hard,” he said.