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MASINDI

Newly appointed youth and children affairs state minister Balamu Barugahara has received a thunderous welcome from hundreds of Bunyoro region residents.   

Political leaders from across the country, officials from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Police officers, active and retired army officers and residents thronged Masindi Booma grounds in Masindi municipality on April 1, 2024, where Barugahara organised a thanksgiving.

Before converging at Booma Grounds, Balamu was welcomed at Kafu from where a procession to Masindi town and it's suburbs started as he was joined by hundreds of residents.

Several Bunyoro leaders praised President Museveni for appointing Balamu arguing that he was given a docket befitting him.

The function was graced by several religious leaders, over 20 Members of Parliament, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and seven ministers including Lillian Aber, Florence Namboozo, Henry Okello Oryemu, Matia Kasaija, Mary Mugasa, Fred Byamukama and Sarah Mateke.  

Balamu (left) with Nabbanja, the Prime Minister. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)

LC5 chairperson lobbies for Masindi

During the event, Masindi LC5 chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga, asked the prime minister and others ministers to help the district get the key projects such as the construction of Masindi Hospital, a modern market, health centres and seed schools.

"We have missed out on all these projects and yet Masindi is a traditional district. I request the prime minister in conjunction with other ministers to expeditiously handle these issues," he said.

Masindi District Woman MP, Florence Asiimwe, asked Balamu to tackle the 'real issues affecting the youth'.

"He should also work on the issue of identifying talents among the youth because there are many people with talents but they're not promoted. It was befitting for President Museveni to put him in this docket because he has been thoroughly mobilising and organising the youth," she said.

Connect Masindi to power

Balamu Barugahara, asked the prime minister to connect Masindi municipality places without power to the national grid.

He also promised to follow up on the issue of the construction of Masindi hospital, skill the youth, fight poverty, teenage pregnancy and corruption, among others.

"I am also calling upon the youth to involve (themselves) in government programmes like the Parish Development Model and also to be patriotic. That's what the President wants," he said.

"Support the NRM, President Museveni and Balamu to benefit from different government projects," foreign affairs state minister Okello Oryemu said.

Disaster preparedness state minister Aber described Balamu as a hardworker and a self-made entrepreneur, appealing to the youth to tap into his talents to move out of poverty.

Finance minister Matia Kasaija promised to work closely with Balamu such that Masindi also benefits from the key projects.

"I want to assure the people of Masindi that when I am still the minister of finance the hospital will be constructed. I went there myself and discovered that the hospital is in a pathetic situation," he said.

Nabbanja, who presided over the function, challenged Barugahara not to spend much time in office but to be in the field saying that it's where the real issues are.

"I want to commend you for what you have done for Uganda. He has given people jobs and also contributed to the government's revenue. President Museveni appointed you because you’re a hardworking person. Continue addressing youth challenges as government gets a solution to the remaining issues affecting the country," she said.

Commenting on the construction of the hospital, Nabbanja noted that construction is set to start in July this year by the Army construction brigade.