KAMPALA – Opposition leader Dr Kiiza Besigye has criticized the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for abandoning education and healthcare in northern Uganda and giving priority to roads.
According to Dr Besigye, the roads being constructed in the north are meant to enable the ruling party to exploit the region’s resources but not to benefit the people.
“Instead of prioritizing education and health of Ugandans, NRM government is spending a lot of money on roads and factories. Look at our hospitals, today half of our children are stunted they are not growing because they are feeding very poorly,” Dr Besigye said.
“We have to develop the people first before we can develop what the person uses,’’ he added.
Government has secured 10,000 acres of land in Amuru Sub County, Amuru district, for Madhvani Group of Companies to establish Sugar Factory in the area.
But Dr Besigye said the ongoing road works in the region will instead be used to take away what the people have.
“The reason as to why they want your land and establish factories it’s not for you people to benefit but they will be the immediate beneficiaries,’’ he said.
Dr Besigye was speaking on Saturday at the thanksgiving ceremony held by Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Betty Aol Ocan at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu Town.
Ms Ocan, who is also the Gulu Woman Member of Parliament, was thanking God for being appointed the leader of the Opposition in Parliament. “I am grateful for the team spirit that was exhibited to have me in place as a leader of opposition,’’ she said.
Dr Besigye asked the people of Acholi to remain focused, saying the struggle to remove President Museveni is near.
Once the struggle is over, Besigye said, the people of Acholi will regain their land, their dignity and special attention will be put on the region to ensure total recovery after years of war.
Gulu Archbishop John Baptist Odama, who presided over Mass, prayed for a Uganda where there is “unity, wisdom, peace, reconciliation, love and happiness.”
Several MPs that included Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda (Kira Municipality), Lowila Oketayot (Woman, Pader), Lilly Adong (Woman, Nwoya), Lucy Akello (Woman, Amuru), Maj. Susan Lakot (UPDF), Bernard Atiku (Ayivu), Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju), Angiro Gutumoi (Erute North), Fred Turyamuhweza (Rujumbura), Gilbert Oulanya (Kilak), Harold Muhindo (Bukonzo East), Jonathan Odur (Erute South), Peter Okoth (Tochi), Anthony Akol (Kilak North), Atim Joy Ongom (WMP Lira), P.P Okin Ojara (Chwa West) and Lyandro Komakech (Gulu Municipality) and attended.
