Luweero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola war debtors to receive sh6b
Kaboyo said the government decided to initially concentrate the gratuity payment program on the three districts because this is the region that was most affected by the liberation war of the 1980s.
Minister Alice Kaboyo addressing residents of Luweero during the Thursday function at which residents formed Luweero District Farmers and Housing Cooperative Society. (Credit: Frederick Kiwanuka)
By Frdererick Kiwanuka
Journalists @New Vision
LWEERO - War veterans in the districts of greater Luweero have cause to smile after the government has released shillings 6b to pay gratuity packages to claimants in the region.
According to the state minister for Luweero, Alice Kaboyo. the money is to cover all pending claims in the Districts of Luweero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke.
About a year ago, sh3b was paid to a total of 1270 claimants in the same districts.
The minister made the remarks on Thursday in Kireka village in Bamunanika county while presiding over the launch of Luweero district Farmers and Housing Cooperative Ltd.
Chaired by Sowedi Kyeyune, the group has members drawn from 2,000 homes.
Kaboyo said the government decided to initially concentrate the gratuity payment program on the three districts because this is the region that was most affected by the liberation war of the 1980s.
Kaboyo noted that post-war Luweero development was lacking despite the numerous anti-poverty interventions which the government has implemented in the post-war region.
Kaboyo also lamented that whereas Luweero had abundant land and was very close to food markets in Kampala, the communities failed to exploit the opportunities to development of the region.
"We hear Luweero is the political Mecca of Uganda, but what is on the ground does not reflect what is being said about you. Luweero is supposed to be more developed than it is today."
"I want Luweero to change. I don't want Luweero, which gave birth to the NRM government, to lag," she said.
Kaboyo also lashed out at the youth in Luweero who shun job opportunities at over 500 factories in the region.
Majority of workers at these facilities, she said, originate from other far areas.
She advised the people to stop believing in handouts and instead work towards self-reliance. She wondered why the people were still asking for compensation 40 years after the war ended.
Boost to Luweero district farmers and Housing Cooperative Ltd
Kaboyo pledged sh100m from her ministry towards the cooperative society in case each of the members contributes at least sh 50,000 in share capital.
The gathering was also addressed by facilitators from the trade ministry, Housing Finance Bank, and POST BANK, who briefed the cooperative society members on how to run their organisation.