Eastern Uganda veterans advised to join hands against poverty

DEVELOPMENT

KAMPALA - The Defence and veterans state minister, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, has urged veterans in Eastern Uganda to work together and generate income amongst themselves to fight poverty in their homes.

Rwamirama made the call last week during the veterans meeting in Tororo district to update veterans on what is being done to address their current challenges. The minister toured a number of veterans associations in the region.

Officiating at the launch of Agururu Technical School for skilling widows, orphans, and veterans in Agururur B Village in Tororo Municipality, Rwamirama also encouraged veterans and widows to continue working together in groups, which he said would give them an upper hand in benefiting from government programmes.

The Minister urged the beneficiaries of the training school to take advantage of the opportunity availed by the government. He said resources from the government are availed to support well organised veteran groups and SACCOS.

"What has lagged most people behind is lack of skills. So, this skilling center is not for veterans alone it's for all of u and everybody who want to acquire skills" Rwamirama was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki.

The minister donated five sowing machines towards the center on top of a cash contribution of sh2m to Tororo district SACCO.

He visited 11 fish ponds for widows and pledged to fence the whole area around in order to secure the project from thieves and wild animals.

During the same tour, the minister encouraged Busia District Veterans to get organised and benefit from the district SACCO to which he also contributed sh2m.

"I urge you to select able and competent leaders to uplift you in terms of development," Rwamirama stated. The minister added that the veterans' SACCO should include all reservists and widows in order to fight poverty.

At the end of the three-day tour in Eastern Uganda, the minister concluded with Bugiri district Veterans whom he met at Bugiri district town hall.

He asked the veterans to be organized and benefit as veterans so as to become exemplary within their communities by working together to achieve development. Rwamirama later donated seed capital of sh2m towards Bugiri District SACCO.