The Minister of State for Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle in the Office of the Prime Minister, Alice Kaboyo, has called upon Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Rwenzori sub-region to unite and strategically involve themselves in key focus areas recommended by President Museveni to drive socio-economic transformation in the region.
During a meeting organized on Wednesday, Kaboyo interacted with the MPs and provided updates on the ministry’s progress in rehabilitating areas impacted by the NRA-led liberation struggle and the ADF insurgency in the Rwenzori sub-region. She emphasized the importance of the President’s guidance, given in September 2022, which outlined the key areas of focus for affirmative action programs, including Luwero-Rwenzori.
These focus areas include the mobilization of communities for the implementation of existing government programs, the execution of projects not being handled by sector MDAs, monitoring government programs, and developing an economic plan for the sub-region.
Kaboyo highlighted challenges such as decreased funding, with the ministry’s budget shrinking from UGX 46.199 billion in FY 2020/21 to UGX 7.161 billion in FY 2024/25, as well as the poor mindset of beneficiaries and inadequate political monitoring and ownership of projects by local leaders. She urged the MPs to work as a team and mobilize resources to improve service delivery in the sub-region.
In response, the MPs expressed concern about the inadequate funding for the largest sub-region, which includes 43 districts and seven municipalities. They argued that this makes it difficult to plan effectively for their constituents. Kiiza Acrobat Moses, the MP for Bughendera Constituency in Bundibugyo District, expressed the MPs’ willingness to support the minister, starting with the budget process for the 2025/2026 financial year, which begins in September.
He suggested that they needed to meet with the President to discuss the pressing issues affecting the region, particularly the lack of compensation for ADF war victims in districts like Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Kabarole.
Margaret Muhanga Mugisa, MP for Fort Portal North Division and Minister of State for Health in Charge of Primary Health Care, echoed these concerns, citing the need for compensation for victims of the Kichwamba massacre.
Peace Mutuuzo, the MP for Bunyangabu County and Minister of State for Gender and Culture, highlighted the Rwenzori area’s loyalty to the NRM government and called for prioritization of funds for road construction in the region, which would enhance market access and boost economic and tourism potential.
Victoria Rusoke Busingye, the Kabarole District Woman MP and Minister of State for Local Government, called for greater involvement of area MPs in the planning, distribution, and implementation of government programs, rather than relying solely on local governments. She also requested attention to the over 6,000 veterans in Bunyangabu who are planning to erect a monument in the area.
Tom Bright, the MP for Kyaaka Central, proposed that the ministry should advocate for holding one of the Heroes Day celebrations in the Rwenzori region.
In her response, Minister Kaboyo promised to follow up on several issues, including the status of roads in the sub-region, compensation for ADF war victims, the construction of five low-cost houses for civilian veterans, the building of three classroom blocks in Kasese, Luwero, and Nakaseke, and support for 20 groups with hatcheries and maize mills. She also pledged to provide piglets, goats, and cows to identified beneficiaries and committed to delivering 1,000 hoes per district, to be distributed to veterans.
