President Museveni to probe local governments

THE Government is to investigate the use of the funds it gives local governments, President Yoweri Museveni has said.

Museveni said the roads were in a bad state yet districts receive huge sums of money from the Central Government annually.

The President, who is on a four-day Prosperity-For-All tour to Kanungu district, made the remarks while addressing a rally at St Augustine Secondary School in Rutenga sub-county. “The Government has been sending money to maintain roads but in many districts, the roads are in a bad state. We shall look into the way four-day Prosperity-For-All tour to Kanungu district, made the remarks while addressing a rally at St Augustine SS in Rutenga sub-county.

“The Government has been sending money to maintain roads but in many districts, the roads are in a bad state. We shall look into the way districts are utilising the funds and find out where this money has been going,” he said yesterday.

He commended Kanungu district chairperson, Josephine Kasya, for maintaining the roads.

“In many districts which I have visited, the roads are impassable but the situation here is different. In spite of the steep mountains, you have tried to maintain your roads.”

Hundreds of NRM supporters turned up at the rally and urged Museveni to contest for another term so that he could complete development projects across the country.

They waved tree branches as they bellowed, Museveni akyaali mbooko (still fit to rule). Museveni smiled as the crowd roared, ‘mumuhe fourth term, meaning, we should give him a fourth term.

LC1 chairman Godard Orakiroru said they would not vote for anybody else, apart from Museveni during the 2011 elections.

“We want you to contest for the presidency so that you can continue with your programmes, especially those aimed at fighting poverty,” he said as the crowd cheered on.

Kinkizi East MP Dr. Chris Baryomunsi asked: “Our man (Museveni) is still strong. He is serving us and we are not complaining. Why should let him go?”

Museveni said he had gone to the district to wage a war against poverty.

“We have been fighting many wars, including Joseph Kony, whom we have defeated. We have also been fighting corruption and now we are fighting poverty,” he said.

He warned parents against marrying off girls. “I have been told that you have a bad practice of sending your girls into marriage before they have completed school. This should stop so that girls finish school and be able to help their families out of poverty,” he said.

Museveni said the government would deal with head teachers who charge money in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools.

“UPE is 100% free and no parent should be asked to pay a single coin. If anybody asks for money, report him or her to the authorities. Those who can manage to contribute should do so but nobody should demand for money.”

On the neighbouring DR Congo, Museveni said the country was experiencing instability because of bad politics. “DRC is a very rich country but they have all these problems because of poor politics. We should not become like DRC.”

On HIV/AIDS, Museveni said: “HIV/AIDS has its hiding place. It can not get you if you do not look for it. I advise men to stop wandering around, looking for other women. The youth should also not engage in pre-marital sex. That way, we shall chase the disease away.”

He said the bridge connecting Kanungu to Kabale would be repaired.