By Daniel Mumbya: The state Minister for agriculture and fisheries, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, has said that the office of the Prime Minister was created to serve the entire country, not the Karamoja sub-region only.
Kyakulaga’s statement comes at a time when several ministers are being accused of diverting iron sheets meant for Karamoja to their constituencies. It started with media reports that the minister for Karamoja, Mary Goretti Kitutu, was under police probe for diverting iron sheets meant to be donated to Karamoja residents who are currently riddled with insecurity emanating from the gunfire between cattle rustlers and government forces to her constituency.
It has since been established that it is not Kitutu alone who took iron sheets to her constituency, but also former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga. Minister Kyakulaga has also confirmed taking the iron sheets.
“I received a number of iron sheets for my constituency Kigulu North and Iganga district, not for Karamoja but for my people who were in need and government schools whose iron sheets were blown away by the wind,” Kyakulaga said.
Kyakulaga explained that he had concerns about schools like Buwolomeka primary school which received 116 pieces, Nakalama primary school also received 116 iron sheets, Nasuti primary school received 180 and Muyila primary school which received 116 pieces.
“I requested for other iron sheets for my 15 residents whose houses were blown by the wind and each was given eight pieces. So those who think that Kyakulaga embezzled Karamoja iron sheets, try someone else. As a patriot and a national resistance movement cadre, will ensure corruption free in my region as well as the entire country,” Kyakulaga said.
Meanwhile, the Minister for presidency Marry Babirye Babalanda has warned the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and Resident City Commissioners (RCC) who forgot the roles of their appointment to quit and join other ventures.
Babalanda who was the chief guest at the Ganga celebrations of National Resistance Movement (NRM) liberation day at Bunyiro Moslem primary school said discipline among the party cadres has deteriorated.
She advised party members who are devoid of discipline to covert the opposition early enough so that they can build a strong foundation for the 2026 general election. “Let us unite as Busoga region and this will help us to develop more than other regions in Uganda. But [as of now] we are divided right from our superiors to the local people down in the parish,” Babalanda said.