Chebrot begs govt for a job

May 10, 2004

THE MP for Tingey county in Kapchorwa district, Dr. Stephen Chebrot, has appealed to the Government to re-appoint him to a political post.

By Nathan Etengu
and Rashid Muzungyo


THE MP for Tingey county in Kapchorwa district, Dr. Stephen Chebrot, has appealed to the Government to re-appoint him to a political post.

He told National Political Commissar Dr. Crispus Kiyonga that he had stayed in the cold for too long despite his overwhelming support for the Movement Government.
“I have been in the freezer for too long. Please de-freeze me. Kapchorwa district gained a lot when I was out of the cold,” he said.

Chebrot was speaking on Sunday at the opening of the Kapchorwa branch of the Elgon Co-operative Society Ltd, a village bank run under a micro-finance project.
The branch was opened with sh60m from the Office of the Prime Minister. Kiyonga, a childhood friend of Chebrot, was the chief guest.

Adjumani Woman MP Jesca Ariyo, Gertruce Kulany (Kapchorwa) and Dr. John Yekko Arap Kiisa (Kween) attended the function.

Bank chairman Bernard Wolimbwa said the bank which started in 1998, had 2,400 registered members.

“Our interest was to help the Government to fight poverty, particularly among the youth and women,” Wolimbwa said.

In his welcome speech to Kiyonga, Chebrot said, “I have disagreed with the leadership in the Movement government because I want certain things to be done in the right manner but not as a multipartyist as some have mistaken me to be.”

Chebrot was dropped from the Cabinet in 1996. He, however, assured the President of total support in Kapchorwa.

He asked Kiyonga to remind President Yoweri Museveni to fulfil his pledges to the people of Kapchorwa.

He said he would continue to fight his political enemies who associate him with the Uganda People’s Congress party.

He said Kapchorwa people could lose trust in the Government if its sons and daughters were marginalised.

“When animals in the wild see a giraffe running, they also begin running because they know that the giraffe has a clearer vision,” Chebrot said.

He said the 19 districts in the eastern and northern regions did not have a full Cabinet minister yet Rukungiri has four.

“This is very unfair. Even if you don’t want to appoint me, let another person from Kapchorwa be appointed,” he said.

Chebrot said opening the village bank had fostered peace between the Bagisu and the Sabiny.
He commended the Government for extending electricity and constructing the Sironko-Kapchorwa road.

Chebrot said the electricity should be extended to Suam border post, 53 miles from Kapchorwa town.
He said US$35m demanded by the Government from the East African Community compensation fund be used to extend the road to Suam.
Kiyonga said he would never abandon Chebrot. He said Chebrot helped him a lot when they were at King’s College, Buddo.

“They used to serve us very little food because we were studying with children from rich families that were used to eating little food. After the meal, Chebrot would tell me to pass by his cubicle where he would give me something to eat,” he said.

Kiyonga said Kapchorwa and other districts in the region had not received their fair share of political and civil service posts.
He said the highest-placed person in Kapchorwa was the deputy inspector general of government, David Psomgen.

Kiyonga advised Kapchorwa to stop yearning for political appointments alone. He said the district should educate their children to higher levels where they could easily compete for jobs in the civil service.

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