President Museveni has hailed the peace ushered in Teso sub-region for spurring the development and progress of the region.
"The people of Katakwi are best witnesses of peace. I came and camped near the border here when everybody had run to the IDP camps. I went to Ngariam where there were massacres by Karamajong. I visited camps like Achowa but now that is history. NRM defeated rebels and cattle rustlers and removed 41,000 guns from Karamoja. The people are now back in the villages,"Museveni said.
He was addressing a rally at Katakwi Booma Grounds in Katakwi district on Saturday afternoon.
Teso-sub region was among the areas affected by insurgencies, including theUganda People's Army (UPA) rebellion from the late 1980s to the early 1990s and an incursion by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
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Katakwi district was specifically a target of these insurgencies which left a number of people run away from their homes to IDP camps.
Then there also came the Karamojong rustlers who caused havoc with their raids which began in the north-east spreading gradually south and west towards Soroti, Katine and Kumi.
It destroyed what remained of the region's economy.
The raiding involved the burning of huts, the theft of ploughs and hoes, and the looting of stores of grain and flour. Once prosperous homes with more than 100 cows were reduced to ash. Those who could fled to the towns while those who remained in the villages had to contend with repeated raids and attacks.
However, speaking on Saturday, President Museveni said this is now a story of the past as the insurgencies were defeated by the UPDF to ensure peace and stability in Katakwi and Teso sub-region at large.
Peace Spurring Development
Museveni said he was happy that after ushering in peace, Katakwi has seen rapid development, pointing to roads, electricity, health facilities, schools and many others that have been put in place by government.
"When you examine the economic infrastructure in Teso here, you can see the road all the way to Moroto ... the road to Lira. We now intend to work on the road from Katine to Ochero but there is one from Soroti to Amuria to Obaranga to Achanpi on to Otuke and so on. We shall also work on the road from here (Katakwi) to Toroma," Museveni said.
"I am glad there is a ferry now but if there was a good road you would cut the distance to Mbale by avoiding Soroti and you go straight."
He however warned the Ministry of Works and Transport and Local Governments about neglecting tarmac as well as murram roads that he said must be maintained at all times.
Museveni said the local government gets shs1 billion every year to look after murram roads, noting that if these roads are well maintained, they are passable.
He said even the ones for central government must be maintained properly.
Museveni also noted that Katakwi has 78 government schools and 10 government secondary schools but noted the aim in the next term is to have a government primary school per parish and a secondary school per sub county .
On health, he said the 20 sub-counties that make up Katakwi have one government hospital, one health centre IV, and eight health centre IIIs, adding that 10 sub-counties don't have any health facility.
He however said government has better plans.
Museveni said government to upgrade Aakum health centre II in Guyaguya Sub- County, Omodoi health centre II in Omodoi Sub- County, Opeta health centre II in Magoro Sub- County, Okocho health cente II in Okulonyo Sub- County, Akurao health centre II in Toroma Sub- County and Ongongoja health centre II in Ongongoja Sub- County to health centre IIIs.
"New health centre IIIs are to be constructed in Amusia, Getom, Okore and Angodingod Sub-Counties," he said.
On cattle restocking, Museveni said Teso leaders and elders have accepted his proposal for each family to be given a certain number of cows.
"I am happy you all accepted by idea of giving five cows per homestead. Even if we do it in two to three years, it is better than this other one which was not clear. We have adopted that plan to add it to the other programs of wealth creation like PDM, Emyooga and women fund." Museveni said.
Speaking during the rally, Vice President, Jessica Alupo hailed Museveni for ushering in democracy in the country, whose fruits she said are visible to everyone.
"I would like to thank you for the seeds of democracy sowed over the years which has cultivated economic stability, political and military stability. We thank you for ensuring peace and security in the entire country including here in Katakwi,"Aupo said.
"You have persistently continued to encourage leaders to ensure that UPE and USE are free, skilling is made a priority but would like to single out one project for which the people of Teso are happy for you. The establishment of Soroti University. I appreciate you for appointing sons and daughters from Teso both at political and technical levels. We can only promise you that we shall work with dedication, transparency and dignity."
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The NRM second national vice chairperson (Female), Anita Among underscored peace ushered in Teso which she said seen growth and development of the area.
"Originally people used to stay in camps but now sleep in their homes. We thank you for peace and security you ushered into our country. There is no more cattle rustling. We are united to give you 100% in the upcoming elections," Among said.
The NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Calvin Echodu said Katakwi has previously supported President Museveni, noting that they are ready to reciprocate the same.
"The people have come again in big numbers to support you. I believe with the new energy, we are to do this in Eastern Uganda and get votes for you. We are determined to ensure the support NRM has in Katakwi, Teso sub-region and the Eastern region is befitting to what you have done for this country,"Echodu said.
