'Honesty and hard work vital' - Museveni

Jan 11, 2014

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has called on the youth in Uganda to appreciate the crucial role of honesty and hard work in the development of their country

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has called on the youth in Uganda to appreciate the crucial role of honesty and hard work in the development of their country.

“The values of honesty and hard work are vital for the young generation to follow and develop the country,” Mr. Museveni said.

The President was yesterday speaking during the last funeral rites and thanksgiving Mass for the late Kasmiro Ongom Dollo and the late Paulina Angom at Patong in Agago district Acholi sub-region.

The late Ongom, who passed on in 1996 and the late Paulina Angom, were parents of Hon. Justice Aliphonce Owiny Dollo, a Judge at the High Court.

The President commended the late Kasmiro Ongom for the big role he played in the King’s African Rifles and particularly singled out his act of educating his children.

King’s African Rifles (KAR) was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. 

The regiment was charged with the performance of both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service. 

Rank and file were Africans known as Askaris while officers were seconded from the British Army. 

The African Askaris fought in several campaigns during the 2nd World War from 1939 to 1945 against Italians in East Africa, against the French in Madagascar and against the Japanese in Burma.

President Museveni thanked the young elite for returning to their villages to build good houses, like the one of Justice Owiny Dollo, emphasizing that they should cause and put development in their home areas. 

He added that the elite should also engage in modern commercial agriculture for the benefit of the wanainchi to learn from. He urged the people to utilize the available land holdings to cultivate both food and cash crops in order to ensure food and income security.

He told the gathering that the NRM Government had fulfilled its duty of providing them with peace in Patongo and Kalongo by chasing away Kony and disarming the Karimojong.

President Museveni was pleased to note that Government had provided the area with electricity and telecommunications. He pledged to build the Masindi Port – Lira – Kitgum Road, adding that the Gulu – Anaka – Kitgum Road was budgeted for during the current financial year and will soon be worked on. 

He revealed that the Government is also set to upgrade the community Primary School in Agago District.

Mr. Museveni called on leaders to guide people in their respective areas on how to improve their household incomes. He said that Government was spending Shs.150 million per year through NAADS and will now concentrate on providing planting and breeding materials to the people.

The President cautioned the people against the risk of Hepatitis B disease which is known to spread through sex and kissing and asked health workers to sensitize them on avoiding it. 

He also warned them against contracting HIV/ AIDS scourge advising the youth to look after their lives by maintaining discipline.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon.Jacob Oulanya, commended President Museveni for his exemplary leadership of serving the people without discrimination.

Justice Owiny Dollo said his father, the late Ongom Dollo, participated in the 2nd World War from 1940 adding that he was a brave fighter during that campaign. He thanked the President for gracing the ceremony.

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