Editor
Bushenyi, Uganda – On July 5, 2024, Bushenyi District will celebrate its 50th anniversary since its establishment in 1974, having been carved out of the greater Mbarara region.
The milestone event will take place at the Bushenyi District main stadium in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality and will be attended by President Yoweri Museveni, as confirmed by Dr. Innocent Muramuzi, the chairman of the organizing committee.
Dr. Muramuzi emphasized the significance of this golden jubilee, noting that it is a celebration of life, dignity, and prosperity. “We need to acknowledge our achievements in social, cultural, economic, and political areas, honor the resilience, and highlight the journey to prosperity. Recognizing our dignity and showcasing the milestones and progress made by the people of Bushenyi over the last 50 years is truly worth celebrating,” he said.
Jafari Bassajjabalaba, the Bushenyi District chairperson, expressed that the celebration is not just for the sake of festivity but aims to involve the grassroots community. He mentioned organized cleanup activities in selected communities, a free medical camp, and collaboration with village groups to feature traditional dance and music performances, reflecting the district’s rich cultural heritage.
Bushenyi District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Robert Atuhairwe highlighted the district’s status as a regional education hub, asserting that Bushenyi has positioned itself as a model district in education.
However, Ambassador Enock Nkuruho pointed out issues of arrogance and confusion within the organizing committee, criticizing their self-designation as “generals” without understanding the army’s structure.
Former Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Bishop Yona Mwesigwa Katonene, who leads the elder’s forum, praised the district’s economic growth. He cited the development of various factories, including the Nyaruzinga initiative, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), and tea factories in Kyamuhunga and Bitooma sub-counties, all of which have enhanced the district’s beauty and provided employment opportunities for young people.
About Bushenyi:
Established in 1974 as West Ankole District, Bushenyi was created from the greater Mbarara region. In 1993, Rushenyi and Kajaara counties were separated to form Ntungamo District, leaving Bushenyi with five counties: Igara, Mitooma, Ruhinda, Buhweju, and Bunyaruguru. In 2010, Bushenyi was further divided, resulting in the formation of five districts from the original Bushenyi: Mitooma, Buhweju, Rubirizi, Sheema, and Bushenyi main. Today, Bushenyi District comprises 70 sub-counties, two town councils (Kyamuhunga and Rwentuha), 56 parishes, and 571 villages.
