Daniel Chemonges, Bukwo District – The Sabiny community in Sebei region has raised concerns over the limited impact created by the Minister of Water and Environment, Mr. Sam Cheptoris, in the community from which he hails.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, the youth said that ever since President Museveni appointed Mr. Cheptoris as Minister of Water and Environment, the Sabiny community has not seen any significant benefits from his leadership in that ministry.
Mr. Nelson Cherop, one of the youths, said that when President Museveni appointed Mr. Cheptoris as the full Minister of Water and Environment, the Sabiny community was hopeful that the water shortage in the mountainous districts would be resolved. However, this has not been the case.
“The right word we should use is that our father, relative, in-law, and our former headmaster at Sebei College, Mr. Sam Cheptoris, is a non-performer. We should not wait for others to say this, but it is us, the same tribe as Cheptoris, who are saying it,” he said.
The youth praised Dr. Stephen Chebrot, who represented Tingey County and served as the State Minister for Works, saying that the beautiful roads in Sebei today are a result of Dr. Chebrot’s efforts.
The government has completed the tarmacking of the Mbale-Suam road via Kween and Bukwo districts, a development that the youth attribute to Chebrot’s efforts.
Elizabeth Chelangat, another resident, said they were waiting to confront Minister Cheptoris before the President.
“Fortunately, President Museveni will be in Sebei region this week. We were waiting to embarrass him before the President, who is also the appointing authority, over the poor performance of our own relative,” she said.
Martine Tafala, another resident, said they wanted to ask Minister Cheptoris to show them any single project he has lobbied for the people of Sebei region.
He added that the community in Bukwo continues to experience a shortage of water, despite the government investing a significant amount of money in the sector.
“We have raised this issue several times with the Minister of Water, but he hasn’t been bothered. He even fears to visit Bukwo district,” he said.
Several attempts to get a comment from Minister Cheptoris were unsuccessful, as he did not pick up repeated calls.
Meanwhile, President Museveni is expected to visit Sebei region as part of his countrywide tour of the Parish Development Model progress. He has already completed tours of Bukedi, Teso, and Karamoja regions, and now it is Sebei’s turn.
The Ankole Times has learned that the locals in Sebei are prepared to express their frustration to President Museveni over the failure of various ministries to show their relevance in Bukwo.
