Christmas packages bring relief to Mukono elderly
Were said the gesture was not linked to political elections but was part of the minister’s long-standing tradition of supporting elderly people, some of whom lack family members to ensure they enjoy a decent Christmas.
RDC Ndisaba (left) handing over the Christmas packages to the elderly people. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga)
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Works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has distributed Christmas packages to 150 elderly people in Mukono Municipality.
The beneficiaries gathered at Jobiah Hotel, where each received a kilogram of meat, sugar, rice, a loaf of bread and a bar of soap.
Gen. Katumba’s personal assistant, Juma Were, said the gesture was not linked to political elections but was part of the minister’s long-standing tradition of supporting elderly people, some of whom lack family members to ensure they enjoy a decent Christmas.
“It is now 15 years since elderly people in the two divisions of Mukono Municipality, Goma and Mukono Central Division, first benefited from this kind of arrangement. Gen. Katumba realised that some elderly people were either abandoned by their children or others lost all of their children, and therefore, if no one comes to their rescue, they even fail to get what to eat on Christmas,” Were noted.
He added that the minister cautioned the beneficiaries against excessive jubilation during the festive season, warning that it could expose them to risks such as attacks by criminals.
Several beneficiaries commended Gen. Katumba for standing with them every year and wished him good health and continued prosperity.
The packages were handed over by the Mukono resident district commissioner, Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka, who encouraged the elderly to resist what she described as attempts by supporters of opposition presidential candidates to influence their voting choices. She urged them to vote for President Museveni, whom she said had consistently shown concern for their welfare.
“It is saddening that youths are misleading you with threats, to make you commit blunders; this is a secret ballot where you will stand alone while casting your vote for Museveni. To avoid undue battles, cast your ballot, go back home and wait for the final verdict,” Ndisaba advised.
She also cautioned the elderly against what she termed unrealistic promises by opposition politicians, including pledges to waive taxes while simultaneously increasing public spending and improving service delivery without explaining the source of funding.
Ndisaba further warned them against promises of appointing their children or grandchildren to senior government positions, noting that many other citizens also aspire to such roles.