EALA members sensitise public in Gulu

Posted in Press Release

Regional legislators over the weekend made an incursion but of a different nature in Gulu Municipality, this time to sensitise citizens on regional integration.

It was the first such outreach programme for the Assembly in the Northern part of Uganda that witnessed a tree-planting exercise as well as delivery of key messages on the tangible benefits of integration. The function took place outside the Layibi College on the stretch of Customs Corner-Layibi road.

EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega led the tree-planting exercise with the area inhabitants coming together to plant sixty palm tree seedlings. The Local Chairman five of the Area, Hon. Ojara Mapenduzi confirmed the four kilometre road would be renamed Afrika Mashariki road in order to create awareness to the citizens of the area and to be a constant reminder that the integration process is alive.

“We are working on the necessary documentation and consulting with the authorities and this will see the road renamed Afrika Mashariki shortly”, he said.

EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Kidega remarked that the Assembly would continue to ensure sustenance of the environment through the tree-planting programme. “We hope we can work with different stakeholders here to keep the programme alive”, the Speaker said.

Uganda’s EAC Minister, Hon. Shem Bageine said the future of the region belonged to the youth and challenged them to dedicate and commit to the ideals of integration. He said the EAC was committed to realising all the pillars of integration eventually leading to the Political Federation.

The EAC Secretary General, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera said Gulu area was now a safe haven and called on the locals to embrace integration in order to ensure progressive development.

On his part, the President of the Democratic Party, Hon. Norbert Mao was emphatic that full integration would be realised in future.

“We must begin to see ourselves not only as people of Gulu or Ugandans but as East Africans. This is absolutely important. I thank you for coming here to plant trees and to reach out to the citizens”, he said.

He remarked that it was necessary for the locals to speak Kiswahili more – given that it was the unifying language and the lingua franca of East Africa. In attendance were pupils from Mother Ludare Primary School and the Layibi College as well as the area inhabitants.

The four kilometres Customs Corner–Layibi road links to the Juba Highway and is a major transit area to South Sudan. The decision by EALA to enhance outreach activities is anchored in its Strategic Plan (2013-2018). The Strategic Plan envisages a people-centred approach to widening and deepening the integration process. Herein, the Assembly hopes to intensify sensitisation and a public awareness campaign.

President Museveni implores parents to educate their children

Posted in Press Release

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has beseeched parents to educate their children terming it as the best insurance for latter’s future.

The President delivered the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda during the thanksgiving service for EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu Municipality over the weekend.

“Government has committed itself to give you the basic education. Yes, Primary and Secondary education are just basics. You must strive to build on what Government provides to enable your children go beyond the basic living”, the Head of State said.

“So, it is evident that in order to rise on the horizon, one needs to do more than just the basics. We thank Rt Hon. Kidega for going beyond the basics and that is why we are here today”, President Museveni added.

He further told congregants to remember to thank the Almighty God for his supplications. “As human beings, we are good at praying and asking God to listen to our prayers but once our hearts desires are met, we are prone to forget the source from which these bounties come from”, he said.

“Very few people put time aside to count their blessings and say, Thank You Lord,” President Museveni added. The service which was conducted by the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, Rt. Rev Johnson Gakumba was attended by high ranking Government officials, EALA Members and MPs from the Parliament of Uganda, representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), His Highness, the Paramount Chief of the Acholi (Ker Kwaro) and thousands of well-wishers.

In the sermon of the day, Rt Rev. Gakumba asked congregants to pray that God gives society leaders after his own heart. “Although, people casts votes, it is God who chooses leaders from among us according to the scriptures”, the clergyman explained.

“Leaders are a product of their society. When we choose leaders, as we shall do soon in the next election, the leaders we choose, good or bad, are groomed from among us and are the product of our society”, Rt Rev. Gakumba said.

“We thank God for the gift of leadership of Rt Hon. Daniel Kidega and we exalt and rejoice God who chose him,” Rt Rev. Gakumba said.

In his remarks, Rt. Hon Kidega thanked the National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Museveni for nurturing talent of the youth. He challenged the youth to steadfast and patriotic, inculcate self-belief and to work hard.

The Speaker hailed the people of Gulu for bestowing their full confidence in him. He told the citizens of Gulu Municipality to take advantage of the opportunities existing under the Common Market Protocol.

“The Protocol envisages free movement of persons and services among others. My plea to you is to get organised and to look for business and other opportunities across the borders”, Rt Hon. Kidega noted. The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah lauded the people of Gulu for their support and said the integration process was strong and on course.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the NRM, Richard Todwong, hailed Rt Hon. Kidega terming his leadership at the Assembly as commendable. “May God continue to help him to serve East Africans”, he remarked.

Speaking on behalf of EALA Members, Hon. Peter Mathuki, Chair of the Legal and Privileges Committee, said the Assembly would fully support the EALA Speaker to ensure their mandate is realised. On his part, the President of the Democratic Party of Uganda, Hon. Norbert Mao termed integration key and urged the people of the area and Uganda to think beyond the borders.

Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega was elected unopposed in December 2014 to replace Rt Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa and to complete Uganda’s tenure of Speakership which ends in June 2017.