The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, has assured the people of Northern Uganda that the government will focus on improving household incomes under the upcoming NUSAF 4 program.
Nabbanja stated that Northern Uganda has suffered the long-lasting effects of war, but emphasized that the main goal of NUSAF 4 will be to support the region’s communities by improving their household incomes.
“Northern Uganda endured the ravages of war and scars are still very visible, as explained by the paramount chief. However, we are in the process of introducing NUSAF 4. The President guided us, and he told us only to focus on the livelihoods of the people,” the Prime Minister explained.
Nabbanja informed the people that the government will not focus on constructing schools or health centers. Instead, the funds will be directed towards the people themselves, particularly in intensive agriculture, to help elevate them from low-income status to a stronger economic position.
“We are not going to construct schools, health centers among others but we shall inject money into our people. The President has insisted that NUSAF 4 should focus on intensive agriculture if we are to move our people from low income status to the money economy,” Nabbanja said.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the homecoming of the new State Minister for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona, at the regional offices in Gulu City on Friday.
The Acholi Paramount Chief, His Highness David Onen Acana, asked the government to support a group of men who are victims of sexual violence from the war in the region between 1987 and 1992.
“It is disheartening to believe that at this time in our lives, we still have people who have been raped during the war in Northern Uganda, especially in the Acholi sub-region, and these are male victims who are still living in very poor conditions,” he said.
Acana noted that these men are unable to afford their medical bills and their conditions worsen over time. Many cannot work and spend most of their time bedridden.
“We appreciate everything the government is doing for the people of Northern Uganda. The cultural institutions have been underutilized and are weak in that they don’t have resources to implement their work,” Acana said.
He requested that the government establish a fund in the office of the Prime Minister to support cultural institutions in implementing their activities. Acana also highlighted the mental health problems in the community and asked for more resources to support war victims, such as children born in captivity and their mothers.
The cultural leader called for a massive tree-planting campaign to address environmental degradation. Acana welcomed Dr. Omona to Northern Uganda and urged him to address the region’s pressing issues.
In his speech, Dr. Kenneth Omona declared a “war against poverty” in Northern Uganda and urged leaders at all levels to lead by example in this fight.
“We are declaring war against poverty in northern Uganda. As leaders, we have to be exemplary to the people we lead. Wherever we go, let us spread the message of wealth creation and stop lamenting,” he said.
Anthony Akol, the Member of Parliament representing Kilak North Constituency, speaking on behalf of all legislators from the Acholi sub-region, asked the government to consider village-level interventions instead of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Our parishes are very huge for the common person to benefit from the government programme of Parish Development Model (PDM). We request the government to have a Village Development Model (VDM) in Northern Uganda as an affirmative action,” said Akol.
The leaders also requested tractors to enable people to engage in commercial agriculture and increase productivity.
Dr. Omona’s homecoming was attended by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, Government Chief Whip Dennis Hamson Obua, State Minister for Education in charge of sports Peter Ogwang, Members of Parliament from the Acholi and Lango sub-regions, LC V chairpersons, Resident District and City Commissioners, local leaders, and others.
The ceremony featured traditional dances from several districts and performances by solo artists.
