GIDEON TUMWIJUKYE
The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Dr. Balaam Barugahara Atenyi, has urged the people of Rukiga to elect leaders who will prioritize community development in the upcoming elections.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Kigezi Youth Summit held yesterday at Kakatunda Playground in Muhanga Town Council, Rukiga District, Dr. Barugahara emphasized the importance of unity and patriotism under the theme “Building Unity and Patriotism for Transformational Leadership.” He advised residents to reject tribal-based politics and instead support candidates with the capability and connections to drive development, rather than being swayed by short-term handouts from politicians. Additionally, he encouraged youth to actively engage in poverty eradication programs rather than focusing solely on politics.
Capt. Damson Christmas Kivumba, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) mobilizer for the Kigezi sub-region, urged the people of Rukiga to vote wisely by evaluating all candidates and choosing those committed to genuine leadership rather than personal gain. He also encouraged the youth to focus on acquiring skills to help address the issue of unemployment.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sylvia Tumuheirwe Alinaitwe, the Deputy Managing Director (Finance) at the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, advised the people of Rukiga to utilize their limited land for productive agriculture to enhance household incomes.
She advocated for the establishment of a skills training center in Rukiga to equip youth with practical knowledge for community development. As part of her contribution, she donated a hatchery with a capacity of 2,000 chicks per cycle to support youth in poultry farming as a means of poverty alleviation.
