Local leaders in Kigezi have urged the seven newly appointed ministers from the sub-region to set aside personal differences and work together to lobby for development programs that can lift the area out of poverty and malnutrition.
President Museveni appointed seven ministers from Kigezi on Tuesday evening. They include Finance Minister Henry Musasizi, Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Security Minister Jim Muhwezi, Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, State Minister for Trade and Industry David Bahati, and State Minister for Elderly Affairs Jacqueline Mbabazi.
‘We are grateful that President Museveni has appointed seven ministers from Kigezi sub-region, but our major appeal is that these appointed ministers must work as a team to cause development in our region that is currently characterized by poverty and malnutrition,’ said Kabale District LCV Chairman Denis Nzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi.
Ndyomugyenyi also asked Kigezi residents to engage the ministers to advance regional priorities.
‘People in Kigezi region should use the appointed ministers so that they can serve interests of the region that include cross-border trade, security, gender, fighting poverty and disease, and promoting industrialization,’ he said.
Kabale District Muslim Chairman Hajji Issa Tindyebwa thanked the President for appointing eight Muslims to the Cabinet nationally and seven ministers from Kigezi.
‘As Muslims we are grateful to President Museveni for including our colleagues in his newly released Cabinet, and we appeal for more political appointments targeting Muslims because we have well-educated Muslims that can serve this country in different capacities,’ Tindyebwa said. ‘As Kigezi region we are grateful to President Museveni for appointing seven ministers from this area, and this shows the trust and love that President Museveni has for the people in Kigezi region,’ he added.
Kanungu District Council Speaker Frank Byaruhanga said the ministers should work as a team to ensure presidential pledges for the area are honored.
‘The appointed ministers should use their positions to ensure that all the presidential pledges are honored, including paying Shs12 billion to farmers who supplied tea seedlings to government, tarmacking tourism roads, establishing an iron ore processing factory, special focus on establishing tea processing factories, and fast-tracking the establishment of an industrial park in Kigezi region,’ Byaruhanga said.
He suggested the ministers seek guidance from former prime ministers Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and Amama Mbabazi.
‘The appointed ministers should always seek political wisdom from the emeritus Prime Ministers if they are to properly serve the people of Kigezi region,’ he said.
Former Kisoro LCV Chairman Abel Bizimana congratulated the appointees and said the appointments reward loyal supporters of the government. He singled out the appointment of Kisoro District Woman MP Grace Akifeza Ngabirano as State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs.
‘Appointing the Kisoro district woman Member of Parliament Ms Akifeza Grace Ngabirano the state minister for defence and veteran affairs is a sign of trust the president saw in her. Keep the people of Kisoro united against the history of existential divisionism they have endured for a while,’ Bizimana said.
He also urged the ministers to work closely with MPs, technocrats in central and local government, and district councils to ensure residents get the services they deserve.