President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the cattle corridor community of Ntoroko District in the Western Rift Valley in the Rwenzori Sub-Region for heeding the call of the NRM Government by embracing modern lifestyles.
“When I last visited this area, I found people in grass thatched houses. I am glad the community today is living in corrugated iron roofed and brick houses,” he said.
The President was yesterday speaking at the grand fundraising drive for St. Matthew Church of Uganda Archdeaconry Church in Rwebisengo Town Council, Ntoroko District during which he contributed Shs.200 million. The 2,000-seat church project requires slightly over Shs.1 billion.
Mr. Museveni encouraged the people of the area to improve their cattle keeping methods whereby each farmer should paddock his/her farm and excavate valley dams using the road unit equipment that the Government gave to Ntoroko District.
“Government will also render assistance in excavating communal valley dams that can be utilised for both crop irrigation and watering animals,” he said. He also asked the residents of the area to appreciate the essence of science and technology in development.
The Bishop of Rwenzori Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Reuben Kisembo, who presided over the church ceremony prayed for the country to remain peaceful and for the top national leadership to have wisdom and continue working for the betterment of Uganda.
The Archdeacon Rev. Erasmus Kisembo reported that the church facility will be put to use in order to enhance church investments that will in turn benefit the community to promote primary health care goals, advance the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) national plans and environmental protection campaign, among others.
Earlier, President Museveni laid the foundation stone of Rwebisengo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society SACCO House in memory of its founder, the late Mugarra Kabagambe Francis.
Mr. Museveni contributed Shs.50 million towards the SACCO capital fund that has already accumulated an initial capital of Shs.300 million that the 2426 members utilize to secure loans. The SACCO started in 2005 with Shs. 800,000/= as capital.
The President also attended a thanksgiving service for the RDC of Kyegegwa District Mr. Meshack Kawamara and his family at Rwebinyonyi village in Ntoroko District.
Mr. Museveni used the occasion to campaign against acts of bush burning saying the practice exhibits backwardness and ignorance.
RDC Kawamara appealed to President Museveni for Government intervention to help residents protect their cattle against bands of marauding Lendu people from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo who often times cross into Ntoroko District to steal cows.
He also called for measures against illegal fishing activities on Lake Albert.