President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has contributed Shs 200 million towards the construction of Lwengo Muslim District Headquarters and Health Center IV.
“Since I’m one of the people who are in government and have got some capacity, I will now start with contributing Shs 200 million. If that money is not enough after all of us have collected, you will let me know I will add on,” President Museveni said.
The President made the contribution on Thursday 21st March 2024 during the fundraising ceremony for the construction of Lwengo Muslim District Headquarters and Health Center IV at Mbirizi, Lwengo Town Council.
President Museveni however explained that the fundraising would have made more sense if all the homesteads in Lwengo had stable incomes and were able to contribute relatively large sums of money that would enable the project to be constructed easily and quickly.
“I’m happy that the Muslim community is trying to build a health center and headquarters for their own administrative Center and that is why we are here to support them,” he said.
“Fundraising means you all contribute but now if you have got a few rich people that is not real fundraising. In the 1950s, my father Mzee Amos Kaguta and his colleagues in our village in Ntungamo used to drink local beer at only Shs5 and here they had to contribute equally to buy the local beer. Therefore, we can contribute what we can, but it will make more sense if all homesteads have stable incomes, and they are able to contribute something big.”
The President also permitted the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineers Brigade to carry out the construction works of the project worth Shs1 billion.
President Museveni’s permission followed a request by Lwengo District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Cissy Namujju to have UPDF involved in the project.
“There are the Emyooga such as carpentry, welding, tailoring and bakery. So, we have now put for you that arrangement also based at the constituency. Services like boda bodas and hotels are also part of the Emyooga. All that money is available for you. Each year we shall be adding on.”
The President also reiterated his call for free education for all in government schools.
“We started UPE in 1997 but as Kitatta was saying some of the people did not understand the meaning of this free education. We knew there were very many families which cannot afford education, that is why we said if parents cannot afford, let the government pay for their children. Therefore, those who are bringing back charges in government schools are making a very big mistake. Let the children study for free. We have discussed it in government. During the Corona period, we had a lot of challenges; we had so many things to do, so we could not get tough on those who were fighting our policy but where we are going, we are going to get time to insist on free education for children in government schools,” he said.
“If you have got bona bagagawale through commercial agriculture and others through Emyooga, then you have all children going to school, the children of the rich can go to where they can pay but for the poor like these ones here should study free. You heard that the school here was able to get 10 first grades so it can work. If you do that, the whole country can come up. Therefore, we can move if you listen carefully to the NRM.”
The outgoing Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja commended President Museveni for being able to unite Ugandans irrespective of their different tribes and religions.
“Seeing people here from different religious denominations is not by chance, it is because of you. You have always taught us unity. We no longer have differences in tribes and religions. Thank you very much sir.”
The Lwengo District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Cissy Namujju thanked President Museveni for his visionary leadership that has led to the development of Lwengo and Uganda as a whole.
The Lwengo District LC5 Chairperson, Mr. Kitatta Ibrahim welcomed the President to Lwengo and thanked him for his support toward the district.
“Your Excellency, we thank you for giving us a specialised hospital in Lwengo and once the construction works are done, we shall invite you to commission it.”
The Grand Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje also thanked H.E the President for his immense contribution toward the development of Uganda.
“God blessed you with knowledge and vision to see far and that is why Uganda is where it is at the moment. Your Excellency, you managed to fight the killer diseases, promoted education, fought poverty, among other attributes,” Sheikh Mubajje said.
The function was also attended by the Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, Bukoto South MP, Hon. Twaha Kagabo, Bukoto West MP, Hon. Muhammad Muyanja Ssentayi, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Chairperson, Prof. Muhammad Lubega Kisambira, local government leaders, religious leaders, among others.
