Museveni gives Acholi chiefs houses
Nov 17, 2010
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday commissioned 49 houses for Acholi traditional chiefs. 54 clan chiefs will also get houses.
By Milton Olupot
and Chris Ocowun
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday commissioned 49 houses for Acholi traditional chiefs.
The President also promised to build 54 houses for clan chiefs in Acholi sub-region during the 2006 campaigns.
Museveni cut the tape at the newly-built four-bedroom house at the palace of the paramount chief, David Onen Achana II, at Laloro, Purongo sub-county in Nwoya district.
He officially handed over the house to the deputy paramount chief, George William Lugai, the chief of Pajule in Pader district and the Acholi chiefdom prime minister Kenneth Oketta, who received it on behalf of Onen Achana, who is studying in London.
Lugai thanked the President for fulfilling his pledge.
“I don’t have the words to express my gratitude to you. The houses have been built for all the chiefs and what we need now is to find ways of expanding their agricultural activities to boost their incomes,†he said.
Lugai asked the President to provide the chiefs with ox-ploughs.
Northern Uganda state minister David Wakikona said the houses, were built through community efforts with the assistance from the Prime Minister’s office.
He said the Houses are in three categories; with category one costing sh90m, although this would go for sh140m at the market price.
Category two and three cost sh72m and sh68, respectively.
Wakikona said four houses were demolished by unknown people due to land wrangles. One house is yet to be built because the chief rejected the plan.
Museveni said the Government supports cultural institutions and reiterated his position that cultural leaders should not involve themselves in politics.
“But the language and positive aspects of culture, which can co-exist with modern life, should be promoted. We have to support our culture, otherwise, we risk allowing our children to become Europeans in culture,†Museveni said.
He said the chiefs will be helped to adopt modern farming methods to act as models in their communities.
The President also promised that the Government would build an electric fence around the Murchison Falls National Park to prevent elephants from attacking nearby communities.
He was responding to complaints raised by the Presidential adviser on Acholi, Richard Todwong, and the Purongo LC3 chairman, Simon Okony, that the elephants had become a menace.
After handing over the houses to the chiefs, the President later commissioned Chobe Safari Lodge located in the Murchison Falls National Park. The modern facility is owned by the Madhvani Group.
Museveni also later addressed huge rallies in Amuru and Nwoya districts.
In Nwoya, the President received hundreds of defectors from UPC and FDC parties.
In his speech, he outlined the NRM government’s achievements which included building a strong army, developing the national economy, good governance, affirmative action for youth, women and people with disabilities.
He also listed Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education.
In earlier rallies, the President promised free A’level education beginning next year.
He promised to provide districts with road equipment to ensure that roads are constructed.
Museveni also talked about the plan to improve household income through the Prosperity for All programme. It was Museveni’s first day of campaigning in Acholi. He is expected to remain in the region for some days.
and Chris Ocowun
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday commissioned 49 houses for Acholi traditional chiefs.
The President also promised to build 54 houses for clan chiefs in Acholi sub-region during the 2006 campaigns.
Museveni cut the tape at the newly-built four-bedroom house at the palace of the paramount chief, David Onen Achana II, at Laloro, Purongo sub-county in Nwoya district.
He officially handed over the house to the deputy paramount chief, George William Lugai, the chief of Pajule in Pader district and the Acholi chiefdom prime minister Kenneth Oketta, who received it on behalf of Onen Achana, who is studying in London.
Lugai thanked the President for fulfilling his pledge.
“I don’t have the words to express my gratitude to you. The houses have been built for all the chiefs and what we need now is to find ways of expanding their agricultural activities to boost their incomes,†he said.
Lugai asked the President to provide the chiefs with ox-ploughs.
Northern Uganda state minister David Wakikona said the houses, were built through community efforts with the assistance from the Prime Minister’s office.
He said the Houses are in three categories; with category one costing sh90m, although this would go for sh140m at the market price.
Category two and three cost sh72m and sh68, respectively.
Wakikona said four houses were demolished by unknown people due to land wrangles. One house is yet to be built because the chief rejected the plan.
Museveni said the Government supports cultural institutions and reiterated his position that cultural leaders should not involve themselves in politics.
“But the language and positive aspects of culture, which can co-exist with modern life, should be promoted. We have to support our culture, otherwise, we risk allowing our children to become Europeans in culture,†Museveni said.
He said the chiefs will be helped to adopt modern farming methods to act as models in their communities.
The President also promised that the Government would build an electric fence around the Murchison Falls National Park to prevent elephants from attacking nearby communities.
He was responding to complaints raised by the Presidential adviser on Acholi, Richard Todwong, and the Purongo LC3 chairman, Simon Okony, that the elephants had become a menace.
After handing over the houses to the chiefs, the President later commissioned Chobe Safari Lodge located in the Murchison Falls National Park. The modern facility is owned by the Madhvani Group.
Museveni also later addressed huge rallies in Amuru and Nwoya districts.
In Nwoya, the President received hundreds of defectors from UPC and FDC parties.
In his speech, he outlined the NRM government’s achievements which included building a strong army, developing the national economy, good governance, affirmative action for youth, women and people with disabilities.
He also listed Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education.
In earlier rallies, the President promised free A’level education beginning next year.
He promised to provide districts with road equipment to ensure that roads are constructed.
Museveni also talked about the plan to improve household income through the Prosperity for All programme. It was Museveni’s first day of campaigning in Acholi. He is expected to remain in the region for some days.