By Vision Reporter

Uganda celebrated the 27th anniversary of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party on Wednesday in Kasese district.

As the party leader, President Yoweri Museveni presided over the celebrations held at Nyakasanga grounds, Nyamwamba division, in Kasese Municipality.

As is usually the norm, this year’s event was set to take place on Saturday 26 January, but was postponed to the second-last day of January.

The State made an official announcement of the delay, declaring January 30 a public holiday put aside to mark the event.

In Kasese, President Museveni, who arrived at the event at around 11.00am, said that the NRM will eliminate corruption.

"I will soon address Parliament on the issue of corruption and criminality. NRM cadres are at the forefront of fighting corruption and criminality," he said.

Several medals were given to distinguished citizens of the country including Uganda's past presidents, sports personalities, freedom fighters and many more.

In February 1981, President Museveni founded the Uganda Patriotic Movement which was later changed to National Resistance Army.  They managed to oust the ruling party at time UPC under Dr. Milton Obote on July 27, 1985 through an arms struggle.

On January26th, 1986, the National Resistance Movement came to power following the capture of Kampala by the National Resistance Army. The day celebrates the NRM capture of power every year in different districts.

This year’s celebrations were marked under the theme: “Lessons from Our History: NRM’s Commitment to Create a Better Future for Uganda”.

Other celebrations have been staged at various district headquarters.

The First couple at the event in Kasese. The president said he will address Parliament soon on the issue of corruption. PHOTO/Enock Kakande

NRM day voices from Kasese
 
Leo Bwambale, retired civil servant
Kasese has achieved a lot in terms of development. We have more health centres than ever before. Electricity has been expanded to rural areas and the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme has been rehabilitated. The number of schools has grown, compared to the previous regime when we had only one in the district.
 
Beatrice Kabarwani, housewife
Uganda has achieved a lot over the last 27 years, especially in the areas of health, education. But the Government urgently needs to intensify the campaign against HIV/AIDS which is rampant in many parts of Uganda.
 
Mustapha Kabambu, teacher
We have enjoyed peace in our district and the entire country. However, the rate at which our population has grown presents a big challenge which the Government should address.
 
Betty Nikabara, nursing assistant
I am impressed by the growth in social services such as schools and health centres across the country. I request the Government to ensure that there are drugs in our health centres, and that UPE funds for Government-aided schools come on time.
 
Sarah Kabugho, teacher
We have had a period of free speech and movement guaranteed by this Government. However, most of the people in the countryside are struggling to get out of poverty. We I would like the Government to rehabilitate our air field, revive Kilembe mines to help our people to get jobs.
 
Jessica Bahimdi, teacher
Women have achieved a lot over the last 27 years in form rights to participate in development, as well as through economic emancipation. The Government will, however, need to increase access to water resources and come up with programmes that help orphans and other vulnerable children.

Stanislaus Masereka, senior citizen
Of all Governments that I have seen, none has been of benefit to Uganda like the NRM Government. Look at the growing number of schools, health centres, cars on our roads: if that doesn't appear to you as development, then you have no eyes at all.
 
Sheikh Ashraf Kibwana, Bundibugyo district Khadi
The country has enjoyed peace and guaranteed freedoms of movement and expression. The economy has also grown, despite some challenges. People are living better lives today. Over the coming years, the Government needs to ensure that development trickles down to the poor people for whom it is intended.
 
Rev Julius Kithaghenda, former Kasese LC5 chairperson
Since 1986, the Government has ensured peace in the country and Kasese has benefited. Education and health services are now closer to the people. The Government has also empowered the people economically. The next step will be refining the quality of education and helping citizens to get out of poverty.

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