Gov't to set up special devt programme for Busoga region

Government has planned to set up a special development fund for Busoga sub region as an affirmative action to address outstanding demands such as compensation to victims of the Alice Lakwena insurgency which took place in the 1980's, according to the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.

He said the Busoga development program was part of President Museveni's campaign manifesto.

PM Rugunda (with hat) talking to Mayuge district leaders at Bukaleba forest reserve. Photo by PMPU.

Rugunda who led a high level government delegation on a two-day working tour, was addressing communities and the local leaders in Iganga and Mayuge districts respectively.

The working tour was meant to follow up on outstanding issues raised by the people during the President's campaign trail in Busoga region recently.

Apart from the demand for compensation to victims of the Alice Lakwena insurgency that affected Iganga district, other concerns that were brought to the attention of the President included disputes over settlement in wetlands and forest reserves.

PM Rugunda talking to State Minister for Environment Flavia Munaba after a meeting at Mayuge district headquaters. Photo by PMPU.

 
The Premier was accompanied on the working tour by the Third Deputy Premier Kirunda Kivejinja, Minister of Lands Daudi Migereko, State Minister for Gender Lukia Nakadama, the Solicitor General Francis Atoke and other senior government officials.
 
In a meeting held at Iganga district headquarters, Rugunda saluted the people of Busoga particularly in Luuka district for resisting the Alice Lakwena invasion in the 1980's.

‘Government has no choice but to standby the people especially the victims of the Lakwena invasion', he said, adding, ‘A special development program for Busoga region will be put in place to address the outstanding challenges'.

PM Rugunda (with hat) on a field tour of Bukaleba forest reserve in Mayuge district. Photo by PMPU.

 
The Solicitor General Francis Atoke said that all the claims will be investigated and verified to ensure that only genuine victims are compensated.

‘The issue of compensation had dragged on because of insufficient information', he explained.

He said other compensations for houses, livestock and crops will be harmonized through an inter-ministerial meeting to draw up a conclusive list to be used for compensation.
     
He called upon local leaders to participate in compiling compensation lists to be forwarded to his office for consideration. ‘Those claiming compensation on behalf of their deceased relatives should present letters of administration to facilitate the process', he said.  
 
Later, Rugunda and his delegation met residents in Buligo North-Iganga Municipality, to address a dispute over settlement in the wetland.

The Premier was informed that there has been connivance of the technical staff in the district to fraudulently issue titles on the contested land.    

Rugunda noted that people were at liberty to raise issues affecting them to enable government to consider them.
 
The Prime Minister informed the people that President Museveni was deeply concerned about people's welfare and whatever concerns them.

‘The President had your alarm and directed us to come and address the concerns you raised with him', he said. He assured the people that the matter will be resolved taking into account the environmental and peoples' concerns.

Rugunda stressed that land titles must be acquired legitimately urging technical officers to address the situation as rationally as possible to resolve the problem.
 
The Prime Minister also visited Iganga main Hospital to get an update about the status of the renovation works going on at the Hospital. He thanked the health workers for their dedication to save people's lives.

‘Government has taken deliberate efforts to improve the welfare of medical workers and to increase the number of health facilities in the country', he said. He was met on arrival at the Hospital premises by the Medical Superintendent Dr. James Wako and the Principal Nursing Officer Baluka Anne Rose.
 
At Mayuge district headquarters, the Premier was received by Ministers, Area MPs and the local district leaders. He held a meeting where he assured the people that the Presidents directives and pledges will be expeditiously implemented.
    
In Bukaleba forest reserve, the Premier addressed the community and assured them that both the central and local government, with the participation of the affected people, will work as team to implement the Presidential resettlement directive.  He however cautioned against interference with the survey work.

The Prime Minister concluded the working tour at a well-attended public rally at Luubu Primary school in Bunya West Constituency.