President Yoweri Museveni has said that one of the fundamental issues that the National Resistance Movement Government is addressing is insecurity.
The President’s comments came during the meeting that he held with a delegation of 125 opinion leaders from South Western Region’s Kisoro District who called on him yesterday at State House, Entebbe.
He also tasked the group that was led by the LC5 Chairman, Mr. Abel Nzeyimana, to sensitize the youth and women in the correct enterprise selection noting that the youth in particular need to be skilled in line with the needs of their area.
“One of the fundamental issues is that we have upgraded the security system. We have installed cameras that are vital in detecting and solving crime. We have built the Kisoro – Bunagana – Kyanika road. We cannot fail to build the smaller roads that serve Kisoro Municipality and the district at large,” he said.
President Museveni who also referred to commercial farming, reminded the delegation to carry out proper calculations before embarking on any venture observing that it is not feasible for them to cultivate maize on the small pieces of land that the residents of Kisoro District own.
He said Kigezi Sub-Region has suffered land fragmentation that has retarded development efforts.
He, therefore, recommended intensive agriculture as appropriate for the small-scale land owners adding that wananchi can make profits from milk, fruits and coffee production because of high demand on local and global markets.
He also encouraged them to grow apples, which he said have potential to generate Shs.80 million profit per acre per annum.
The President revealed that plans are underway to establish a steel industry at Muko in neighbouring Rubanda District. He said industrial promotion depends on raw materials availability.
He observed that Kisoro District has the potential to make progress using tourism and education sectors.
President Museveni pledged a Shs.50 million donation to boost Kisoro women’s SACCO and another Shs.80 million to 4 youth SACCOs in the area.
He promised to follow up on the challenges in the operations of tea and potato factories in the district on top of pledging to buy a garbage collection truck for Kisoro Municipality.
He assured the delegation that Government plans to operationalize the John Kalekyezi Memorial University.
Regional Cooperation State Minister, Hon. Philemon Mateke, saluted President Museveni for the elevation of Kisoro to district status.
He lauded him for keeping the country together and for sparing time from his busy schedule to meet the delegation. Kisoro District LC5 Chairman, Mr. Abel Nzeyimana, in a memorandum to the President said the people of the area pledge continued support to Mr. Museveni.
While requesting for construction of a road through the tea estate, Mr. Nzeyimana also revealed that the people of Kisoro are committed to the transformation of their area into a tourism hub tapping into the potential of the abundant resources there.
