The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has challenged the people of Busoga to embrace government programmes especially those aimed at wealth creation.
Nabbanja made the call on Sunday while presiding over the belated Iganga District Women’s Day celebrations held at Iganga Municipal Council Primary School grounds in Iganga Municipality.
Nabbanja said that the NRM government had initiated several programmes aimed at improving household incomes of the people. She added that the people of Busoga should get actively involved in government programmes to improve household incomes.
“The people of Busoga should utilize the existing government programmes such as the Parish Development Model – PDM, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood programme, women centered interventions such as The Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project among others,” said Nabbanja.
The GROW project is a World Bank funded program that aims to support women entrepreneurs transition from micro to small and from small to medium enterprises in line with the Governments NDP III goal that explicitly calls for “promoting women’s economic empowerment, leadership and participation in decision making through investment in entrepreneurship programs and business centers”.
Nabbanja also ordered the police in Iganga to investigate reports where vendors were fleeced of their money amounting to shs800m and bring to book the culprits. This came after a group of women expressed their dissatisfaction before the Prime Minister during the celebrations.
Nabbanja appealed to the people of Busoga to support President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM government for the continuation of peace and security in the country.
“The people of Busoga should support President Yoweri Museveni for the continuity of peace and security in the country,” said Nabbanja.
The former Vice President H.E Specioza Wandira Kazibwe told the Prime Minister that Malaria was a serious problem that has retarded the development of Busoga sub region.
“Some people have a belief that the Basoga are not hard working yet it is malaria disturbing them. Over 80% of the people are moving with malaria which affects their output,” said Kazibwe.
Kazibwe says that they have begun a campaign aimed at eradicating malaria in Busoga.
The Iganga District Woman Member of Parliament Sauda Kauma appealed to the government to handle issues that affect women if the community is to realise meaningful development.
Earlier on in the day, Nabbanja addressed students of Iganga High Secondary School and appealed to them to be focused and aim higher.
She appealed to students to live within their means and also avoid being distracted from studies.
The Premier pledged shs20m towards the completion of a building at the school.
Thousands of people graced the Women’s Day celebrations with artists such as Alien Skin, Rachael Magola among others entertaining them.
