By Ali Mambule
and Dismus Buregyeya

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has called for the construction of boarding schools in areas which are often hit by drought to reduce the high school drop-out rate.

Museveni said he was also among the victims of the drought which recently hit most parts of the country, noting that many of his cows died due to shortage of grass.

â€œI lost many of my favourite cows, not because of lack of water, but because of lack of grass. We must start planting grass for our cows and other domestic uses in preparation for future catastrophes and reduce practising pastoralism,â€ Museveni said.

He made the remarks while commissioning the sh1b Kawanda Secondary School constructed by the Chinese government in Lugusuulu sub-county in Sembabule district.

Earlier, Mawogola MP Sam Kutesa, who is also the foreign affairs minister, had complained about high school drop-out rates in the district due to the prolonged drought.

Education minister Namirembe Bitamazire said the matter would be tabled before the Cabinet.
Museveni also accepted to extend electricity from his home area, Kisozi in Mpigi district, to Kikuumaddungu polytechnic and Kawanda Secondary School as requested by Kuteesa.

Museveni caused smiles among the residents when he said the programme to tarmac the Villa Maria-Sembabule road would start soon.

â€œThe tarmacking was delayed by the shortage of revenue flow as a result of our over-dependence on foreign support. But now our economic base has improved and we can work on our programmes using local revenue,â€ he stated.
Museveni pledged to meet Sembabule district leaders in an effort to end their prolonged political wrangles.
He was responding to a request by the Sembabule LC5 chairman, Herman Sentongo, to fulfil his earlier planned meeting with the local leaders.

â€œYour Excellency, we urgently need this meeting to iron out problems that have sparked off disunity and intrigue in the district,â€ Sentongo said.

â€œOur differences have infiltrated the young children including nursery school pupils. This might affect the unity of the NRM party in the district if not handled properly.â€

Kutesa backed the idea of reconciling Sembabule leaders, but added that the minor differences should not be brought in developmental forums.

Reacting to the matter, Museveni said he would also meet 300 non-political opinion leaders to consult and seek a lasting solution.

The President saluted the Chinese government for constructing three modern schools in Kanungu district, Entebbe and Sembabule.

He also commended China for extending support to other areas of Africa and prayed for continued cooperation which has been exhibited in the business and UN forums.

The Chinese ambassador, Sun Heping, said his country resolved to share their successes in education, health and agro-business with Uganda and Africa.

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By NewVision Reporter

Journalists @NewVision