NICHOLAS A
Residents in Bwambara Sub County, Rukungiri District, have raised concerns over persistent challenges that they say are hindering development in their area.
They noted that Bwambara would be a well-developed sub-county, but due to numerous challenges, it remains behind.
The residents voiced these concerns while interacting with the Rukungiri Woman MP aspirant, Hon. Turyahikayo Mary Paula Kebirungi (NRM), who was on a campaign tour in the parishes of Garuka and Kikarara.
Pennie Ruyaari Zainabu, a resident of Rwesiigiro in Kikarara Parish, revealed that they have for a long time shared water sources with animals, putting their health at risk of contracting diseases. She also highlighted the serious lack of electricity, which has denied many people opportunities to start electricity-related businesses.
Pennie added that Rwesiigiro has no nearby primary school, forcing children to walk long distances to Bwambara or Kikarara Primary Schools. She noted that this challenge pushed one concerned resident to start a small community school.
She also expressed concern over wild animals from Queen Elizabeth National Park that destroy their gardens, leading to losses and famine. Pennie said they have repeatedly appealed to their leaders for an electric fence but have not received any response.
She further mentioned that residents have long struggled with poverty and appealed to Hon. Paula not to forget their area, noting that she had previously worked hard to develop Rubabo County.
Speaking on the same issue, Muhanga Robert, the LC1 Chairperson of Myakabungo B Village, confirmed that Kikarara borders Queen Elizabeth National Park. He lamented that during the night, elephants and other animals invade their gardens, forcing men to spend sleepless nights protecting their crops.
Muhanga said their efforts to seek compensation from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have been in vain, as their letters and appeals have gone unanswered.
Kakyaara Annah, a resident of Garuka, said they are ready to vote for Hon. Mary Paula because they trust her as the NRM flag bearer. She urged her not to be like other leaders who disappear after being elected and only return when seeking votes again.
Naahoniinye Henry, another resident, admitted that in the past they elected leaders under the influence of gifts and empty promises. However, he said this time they want to be development-oriented by voting for Hon. Mary Paula, whom they see as a focused and result-driven woman.
He added that the challenges in Bwambara are too serious to allow them to be intimidated or misled into making a wrong decision.
In response to the challenges raised, Hon. Kebirungi, the NRM flag bearer, promised that in the first year of her term she will lobby for an electric fence to protect residents from wild animal invasions.
She also pledged to improve education standards across Rukungiri by ensuring that all areas have nearby schools to enable children to access education easily.
Hon. Kebirungi vowed to fight unemployment by lobbying for a government vocational school in Rujumbura to equip youth with practical skills that can make them job creators rather than job seekers.
She further promised to identify and support talented young Ugandans and to be a good representative who will open doors for development, replacing grass-thatched houses that are still common in Bwambara.
