BUDIOPE, BUYENDE: Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda has commended the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Royal Highness William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, for his efforts to equip young people in the subregion with practical skills.
Babalanda, who is also the Member of Parliament for Budiope West, made the remarks on Wednesday during the Budiope Gabula Day celebrations held at Kitaidhumbwa Primary School in Budiope County, Buyende District.
The celebrations attracted thousands of Basoga, alongside Busoga Kingdom officials, district leaders and other government officials.
Babalanda said she was honoured to host the Kyabazinga in Budiope, one of the counties she represents in the 12th Parliament, describing the skilling programmes implemented through the Gabula Royal Foundation as complementary to the Presidential Skilling Hubs initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“By doing so, Your Royal Highness, you create alternative employment opportunities for the youth and lead the way in embracing government programmes that are transforming the lives of your subjects and all Ugandans at large,” Babalanda said.
She also praised the Kyabazinga for maintaining a cordial relationship between Busoga Kingdom and the Central Government, saying the partnership has contributed to development in the subregion.
Road project
Babalanda announced that the long-awaited Ambercourt–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road, which President Museveni promised in 2001, will finally be constructed.
She said Parliament had authorised the government to borrow up to €207.77 million, equivalent to about Shs842.71 billion, from Citibank and other financial institutions to finance the project.
“The financing will facilitate the upgrading of the 127-kilometre Ambercourt–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road, together with 10 kilometres of roads in Jinja City,” she said.
The announcement was met with applause from residents who have waited for more than two decades for the road to be upgraded.
Babalanda also addressed concerns over delayed compensation for people affected by the proposed Nuclear Plant Project at Kasaato in Buyanja Sub-county.
She attributed the delay to the discovery of ghost beneficiaries during the verification exercise and said the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, working with Buyende District authorities, was committed to ensuring that only legitimate beneficiaries receive compensation.
The minister urged residents to embrace government wealth creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Programme, Operation Wealth Creation, the GROW Project and the four-acre model, as avenues for increasing household incomes and reducing poverty.
Kyabazinga launches school
For his part, the Kyabazinga thanked God and the Central Government, under President Museveni, for its support to Busoga Kingdom.
He said the Kingdom had embarked on a transformational journey aimed at improving the lives of the Basoga and thanked the people of Budiope for their continued support for the cultural institution.
The Kyabazinga launched the Kitaidhumbwa Community Primary School, which will also offer skilling programmes.
He pledged to support the construction of a nine-classroom block, a girls’ dormitory, a boys’ dormitory and a school kitchen.
Gabula urged young people to take education seriously, saying it was essential for preparing them to become productive citizens who can contribute to the development of their communities.
Tribute to King Oyo
The Kyabazinga also paid tribute to the late King of Tooro, His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
“May God comfort the people of Tooro, the Babiito clan, the royal family and everyone mourning the passing of our beloved King Oyo. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” he said, quoting Matthew 5:4.
The celebrations ended with cultural performances showcasing Busoga’s heritage, traditions and unity.
