VANESSA A
The Woman Member of Parliament aspirant for Rukungiri District and NRM flag bearer, Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo, has encouraged the people of Rukungiri to embrace domestic tourism as a powerful avenue for learning, exposure, and community development.
Hon. Turyahikayo made the remarks while welcoming back 145 Rukungiri tourists who successfully completed the Boona FM Gulu–Karamoja tour. The group returned this morning after four days of exploration and cultural adventure.
She thanked God for the safe journey and commended the tourists for their courage, curiosity, and commitment to learning from different cultures across the country. She noted that although regions like Karamoja have long been associated with insecurity, including cattle rustling, the peaceful experience of the group highlights the progress made under the Government of Uganda.
Hon. Turyahikayo urged the public to continue using Boona FM as a platform for demanding accountability, transparency, and development, emphasizing that the station belongs to all people and plays a vital role in economic empowerment. She also applauded the Boona Radio staff and management, led by Mr. Kakyene Namanya, for their creativity and innovation in promoting tourism, sports, and other development initiatives in Rukungiri.
She concluded by appealing for support in the upcoming general elections, pledging to prioritise improved communication services in Western Uganda, including lobbying for a regional television station.
Boona FM Station Manager Mr. Kakyene Namanya, who led the tour group, expressed gratitude for the success of the Gulu–Karamoja expedition. He appreciated the Boona FM Directors, staff, and management for embracing creative ideas that have sustained the tour program for the past three years. Mr. Namanya called on the tourists to apply the knowledge and experiences gained during the journey to foster economic development in their communities. He also urged them to support Hon. Turyahikayo, noting that her leadership would strengthen essential programs in Rukungiri District.
A number of tourists—including Listener Mobilizer Eunice Arinaitwe, Steven Twesigye, Charles Kabanyete, Joy Barisigara, Asanasius Karugaba, Jolly Kamugisha Kyankune, Karoli Tugumisirize, among others—expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for the safe trip. They extended a vote of thanks to Boona FM management for consistently organizing educational tours that broaden their understanding of Uganda.
The tourists shared that the journey exposed them to various significant places, including the Parliament of Uganda and Entebbe International Airport, with many experiencing these sites for the first time. They appreciated the beauty and opportunities in their home district, contrasting them with the challenges faced in more remote areas like Karamoja, where access to basic services such as schools remains limited.
In their closing remarks, the tourists urged Boona FM to continue organizing such tours, emphasizing their value in promoting learning, cultural appreciation, and national unity.
