Kalembe promises electricity if elected

2021 ELECTIONS |

Nancy Kalembe, the only female presidential candidate, has promised to connect the West Nile region to the national grid immediately she assumes office when given the mandate in January.

She largely attributed the underdevelopment of the region to a lack of stable power that can attract large-scale investors who can provide employment opportunities.

Kalembe, who made a quiet entry into Arua city on Friday evening, appeared on a radio talk show on Arua One FM and decried what she termed as ‘backwardness' in the region due to lack of reliable power source.

"At least other districts in the region have what you people call ‘disco light' provided by West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECo), but Moyo district has totally nothing; people rely solely on generators. How do you expect such kind of society to develop both socially and economically? This is what I want to look into if I take over power next year," Kalembe said.

She said the level of poverty and underdevelopment in the region is high despite parts of the region being strongholds for the ruling National Resistance Movement.

Kalembe said her dream of becoming the president of this country started when she was 14 years old. She said the servant leadership she has been offering at different institutions and jobs in the country and in West Africa were to prepare her for this noble cause of offering the servant leadership for the people of Uganda.

"Our ‘Mission 56' is a slogan that looks at leaving no one behind. My government will ensure that all the regions benefit equally from the national cake, unlike many of the current leaders who have ignored their own people. My appeal to Ugandans is to know that, it is possible to have Uganda as one country," she said.

Despite being the only female contestant in the race, Kalembe said she is not shaken saying that this has not been the only service position where she has been the only female and emerged victorious.

She added that it has been on her agenda to ensure that women rise up and compete for top elective positions previously preserved for men due to gender stereotypes and urged that leadership should never be trivialised to one's sex.

She said she is also focusing on working closely with faith-based organisations once she is elected, saying Uganda needs healing due to social, economic, tribal, political, and cultural divisions created by the current government.

Other key issues on her manifesto include ensuring family cohesion and improving maternal health in the country, harmonising the education system, revamping the economy that is currently run on debts, providing innovation centres, and support innovations to build prototypes.

She also intends to support media, sports, art, and the entertainment industry.