NEWS- Thousands of residents from Rukungiri District last week converged at Buyanja Town Council playground as the district marked its belated independence celebrations.
Hon. Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, the Country’s Security Minister who was the chief guest explained that the decision to delay the celebrations aimed to give an opportunity to those who missed the official celebration in Kitgum District, Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda.
Muhwezi who was represented by Steven Nsubuga Bewayo, the Rukungiri District Resident District Commissioner narrated that the belated independence celebrations aligned with the national theme of “sustaining a united and progressive nation, taking charge of our future as a free nation.”
Highlighting the district’s achievements, Bewayo mentioned successful projects the government has since funded in the district including Nyakishenyi Seed School, Rukungiri – Kanungu tarmac road set to be commissioned in January 2024, and a new theatre at Rukungiri Health Centre IV known to many as Rwamahwa, among others.
Bewayo emphasized the importance of appreciating peace and stability in Uganda, urging citizens to be patriotic.
The Minister used the same opportunity to encourage Ugandans, particularly parents to engage their children especially adolescents in sex chats as a means of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS among the young people.
According to him, Muhwezi noted that acquiring the scourge at the tender age prevents young people from realizing their full potential citing an example of girls who now sleep with older men for material things hence ending up throwing them to a risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
He continued by pleading with parents to teach their children especially girls the value of protecting themselves from engagement in any forms of sexual acts so that they can lower the danger of contracting pregnancy at early stages.
The Minister revealed that the rate at which HIV spreads is high, citing that people have refused to use condoms with reports from last year indicating that over twenty million condoms were used compared to the current year where less than a million have been used indicating that people have neglected usage of this protective measure.
Geoffrey Kyomukama, the Rukungiri District Chairperson used the same opportunity to acknowledge having received numerous complaints about poor roads but assured the community that roadworks had been temporarily halted due to the rainy season.
District boss Kyomukama promised that road construction would resume early next year when the weather permits, to ensure the development of good-quality roads.
Kyomukama also encouraged people to embrace the Poverty Eradication Initiative (PDM) introduced by the government to uplift citizens from poverty. He urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds wisely for profitable ventures.
