Fulfill your pledges, Bitangaro tells Museveni

The Bufumbira South MP Sam Bitangaro has decried his concern about President Yoweri Museveni's unfulfilled pledges for the people of Kisoro. He pointed out at tarmacking of Kisoro's tourism roads, extension of electricity to rural areas as well as provision of water to the citizens.

During Kisoro district 31^st liberation day celebrations at Kabindi playground in Nyarusiza sub-county, Bitangaro said Museveni while campaigning for his 2016-2021 term pledged to tarmac a 14 Km Kisoro-Kabindi Mgahinga road, 40Km Kisoro-Nteko-Rubuguri-Bwindi road as well as construction of a 19Km road that could link up Kisoro to Kanungu but up to now there hasn't been any update on the progress of the presidential pledges.

"The status of our tourism roads is unpleasant yet they lead to Uganda's home of Mountain gorillas that fetch the country foreign exchange, "he stated. He also said now that people voted him (Museveni), its high time he started fulfilling his promises.

He also said last year, tourism was the second largest foreign exchange earner in the Uganda and thus wonders why the Government shouldn't invest in developing infrastructures leading to major tourism destinations."The electorates did their work, now it is the time for the president to fulfil promises, "he stated.

On water, Bitangaro said the Government has to come out with a long term solution towards water shortage problem in the district especially with in sub-counties of Nyarusiza and Muramba where people walk over 10 kilometers in search of clean drinking water especially during dry seasons.

"The Government should move water from river Nkanka and spread it in different areas. Kabiranyuma water has to be revamped so that locals get enough water for home consumption, "said Bitangaro.

The NRM Secretary General Ms Kasule Lumumba who was the chief Guest noted that the Kisoro's tourism roads that the Museveni pledged to tarmac have already been put in the budget for ministry of Tourism and would soon be worked up on.

She however called for cooperation from locals saying that some citizens have in different instances hindered expansion of Government projects through asking heavy compensation.

"You must cooperate for the success of Government programs, and once the roads are finished make sure you utilize them profitably for their economic transformation and increased house hold incomes as core objective of the 2021 middle income status, "said Lumumba.

She also said construction of the tourism roads will not only boost tourism in the district but also improve transportation of harvests from rural areas to urban areas.

Other presidential pledges for Kisoro include the establishment of late John Kale Institute of Science and Technology. However, Lumumba said Government already secured funds for land survey and initial construction.

"This Institute will have science courses that not only benefit students from Kisoro but even other districts as well as neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, "she stated.

Lumumba pointed at NRM achievements countrywide such as Universal Primary and Secondary Education, women empowerment, improved peace and tranquility among others.

She also pointed out the introduction of tea growing in different parts of Uganda that she said have enhanced people's incomes. She urged communities of Kisoro to embrace tea growing.

"Currently, out of 1500 sub-counties in Uganda, only 298 don't have Government aided secondary schools. NRM has already proved its capacity to work for the people, "she said.

On forthcoming LC1 and LC2 campaigns, Lumumba urged communities to support NRM members saying this will strengthen the party's grass root structures. "Most of the administration starts from lower local Government structures including the LC levels, "she said.

Lumumba announced that NRM will soon reward villages that voted NRM with highest percentages with goats. She said there are two villages that voted NRM with 100 and 96%.