BUDIOPE, BUYENDE: The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has hailed the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Royal Highness William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, for his efforts to skill the youth of Busoga.
The Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Budiope West, made the remarks during the Budiope Gabula Day celebrations held on Wednesday at Kitaidhumbwa Primary School in Budiope County, Buyende District.
The colourful celebration attracted thousands of Basoga, Kingdom officials, district leaders and government officials.
Expressing her honour at hosting the Kyabazinga in one of his counties, which she represents in the 12th Parliament, Babalanda said the Isebantu’s skilling programme, run under the Gabula Royal Foundation, emulates and complements the Presidential Skilling Hubs initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“By doing so, Your Royal Highness, you create alternative employment opportunities for the youth and lead the way in embracing government programmes that are transforming the lives of your subjects and all Ugandans at large,” Babalanda said.
She commended the Kyabazinga for maintaining a cordial working relationship between Busoga Kingdom and the Central Government, noting that the partnership continues to drive development in the sub-region.
In a major announcement, Minister Babalanda informed the Kyabazinga and the public that the long-awaited Ambercourt–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road, promised by President Museveni since 2001, will finally be constructed. She said Parliament last week authorised government to borrow up to €207.77 million, approximately Shs842.71 billion, from Citibank and other financial institutions to finance the project.
“The financing will facilitate the upgrading of the 127-kilometre Ambercourt–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road, together with 10 kilometres of roads in Jinja City,” she said, drawing applause from residents who have waited for over two decades.
Minister Babalanda also explained that the delayed compensation for persons affected by the planned Nuclear Plant Project at Kasaato in Buyanja Sub-county was due to ghost beneficiaries discovered during the verification exercise.
She assured the public that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, together with the Buyende District leadership, is working tirelessly to ensure that only rightful beneficiaries are compensated.
The Minister further urged residents to embrace government wealth-creation initiatives including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), the GROW Project and the four-acre model to generate household incomes and fight poverty.
For his part, the Kyabazinga thanked God and the Central Government under H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting Busoga Kingdom. He said the Kingdom has embarked on a transformational journey to improve the lives of the Basoga and thanked the people of Budiope for their unwavering support to the cultural institution.
The Kyabazinga launched Kitaidhumbwa Community Primary School, which will offer skilling programmes, and pledged to construct a nine-classroom block, a girls’ dormitory, a boys’ dormitory and a school kitchen.
He called upon the young generation to take education seriously, saying it is the only way they can become useful citizens and benefit their communities.
HRH Gabula also paid tribute to the fallen King of Tooro, His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
“May God comfort the people of Tooro, the Babiito clan, the royal family and everyone mourning the passing of our beloved King Oyo. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’ – Matthew 5:4,” the Kyabazinga said.
The celebrations concluded with cultural performances showcasing Busoga heritage and unity.
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