By Flavia Ajok
President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to extend Shs300m to the National Resistance Army (NRA) civilian war veterans in Greater Kibaale for their support that ushered the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government into power.
Greater Kibaale comprises Kibaale, Kagadi and Kakumiro districts in Bunyoro region of mid-western Uganda.
In recognition of their contribution in toppling the Gen Tito Okello Lutwa’s military government in 1986, Museveni also pledged to provide each family with a heifer and a tractor to each district of Kibaale, Kagadi and Kakumiro to support commercial agriculture.
Museveni told the civilian war veterans that in spite of the competing national priorities, the NRM government is now in a better position to support its people through prioritization.
The president said that noting that the civilian war veterans are demanding for their package of appreciation, they have to be careful bearing in mind that there are other national priorities to handle.
He promised to follow up with the Ministry of Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori Affairs to ascertain that all the veterans receive their appreciation package according to their role in the struggle.
This package ranges from Shs5m for frontline fighters to Shs1m for supporters and contact groups.
He also promised to send 100 iron sheets and cement to each of the 160 veterans whose houses were destroyed during the war. He said that the support will help them construct better houses for themselves.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja who is also the Kakumiro woman Member of Parliament, urged the president to assist to capitalise the Land Fund with a focus on Greater Kibaale.
Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister who is also the MP for Buyanja County in Kibaale district, Matia Kasaija urged the president to reign in and save Kagombe central forest reserve in Kagadi district that has been encroached on to save the environment.
