Katumba promises public varsity in Iganga

Presidential candidate John Katumba has promised to construct a public university in Iganga district to improve education standards in the area in case he is elected into office.

Katumba made the remarks while addressing campaign rallies in Iganga municipality and Bukaye village in Nakalama sub-county, on Thursday.

He said majority of students end up dropping out of school at an early stage because of lack of a public university to admit them.

"Parents would be able to save money in form of transport, instead of moving long distances, searching for public universities," he said.

Katumba said Members of Parliament receive huge sums of money in form of salaries, yet health facilities in the country, especially in the rural areas, are grappling with lack of medical supplies.

"The number of MPs is high. It needs to be halved," he said.

He promised to form co-operative societies for sugarcane farmers to lobby for better funding from the Government to prevent exploitation.

He cautioned the youth against engaging in acts of violence during campaigns, saying they risk being arrested and prosecuted.

Katumba also blamed the Police for blocking his main rally at Ssaza grounds.

He said he had earlier booked to have his main rally at Ssaza grounds, but was shocked when he was informed by the district Police commander, Kenneth Muheirwe, that it had been cancelled.

Muheirwe said they were forced to drive Katumba away from town after discovering that the proposed venue he had earlier communicated to Police was not conducive for holding a rally, especially during this period of COVID-19.

Blocked from Jinja

Meanwhile, Police in Jinja blocked Katumba from campaigning and spending a night in the city.

Police said according to the schedule, Katumba was supposed to campaign in Jinja on Friday.