Museveni meets Birembo elders over development

Jan 08, 2009

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday received a group of elders from Birembo in Kibaale district at his upcountry home. The 29 elders, led by Matia Muwonge, had paid a courtesy call to the President in Rwakitura, Kiruhura district.

By Conan Businge

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday received a group of elders from Birembo in Kibaale district at his upcountry home. The 29 elders, led by Matia Muwonge, had paid a courtesy call to the President in Rwakitura, Kiruhura district.

According to a State House statement, the elders applauded Museveni for his good leadership since 1986, when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government took power.

The group also informed the President of the challenges affecting their area in the education, health, communication sectors, as well as in electricity.

Biremebo is renown for having been one of areas where heavy fighting took place during the 1981-1985 protracted armed struggle, which culminated in the liberation of Uganda in January 1986.

The Birembo battle is one of the final encounters that led to the mutiny and collapse of the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA).

A monument was built in the area in commemoration of the battle between the National Resistance Army and UNLA forces.

It is also a memorial of the trench where President Museveni commanded his forces when the UNLA launched an attack on them on January 10, 1985, in which five combatants died.

According to the statement, the President told the elders that Birembo would be elevated to a sub-county.

He added that Kyakarongo and Gayaza areas in the district would be developed as model parishes in line with the Government’s Prosperity-for-All programme.

Museveni was responding to a request by the elders to have Birembo developed like other areas in Bugangaizi county.

He said Birembo Technical Institute would also be renovated.

Last year, the Kibaale district chairman, George William Namyaka, said the Government had disbursed over sh200m for the renovation of the institute.

The President pledged to provide university scholarships to five students from Birembo annually.

He promised that Kakumiro, Bikondo and Birembo would soon have electricity and that it would cost less once the Bujagali power dam is completed.

Museveni also advised district officials to put technical teachers on the Government payroll and construct teachers’ quarters.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});