KATAKWI – The ruling NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba has called upon party members to put aside their differences and reconcile to steer development within the party.
Speaking on Sunday at the send-off of Ms Akiror Teresa an NRM cadre who lost her life due to electoral violence, the Secretary-General appealed to leaders to prioritise unity within the party when faced with misunderstandings.
“Let’s be united as party members, these misunderstandings that may come along shouldn’t make us form camps within the party. I call for unity amongst us, lets shun all ideas of revenge that may crop,” the Ms Lumumba said.
Ms Lumumba tasked the law enforcement agencies to bring to book any perpetrators of the electoral violence that led to loss of life.
She expressed her sympathies to the family saying such acts of murder can’t be tolerated at all.
“I want to inform you as a community that we felt bad when we got the information about this sad incident but I want to assure you that all those that were involved in this criminal act will be brought to book,” Ms Lumumba said.
When asked by the area MP Hon Koluo Joseph about the construction of a Technical School in the county, Ms Lumumba urged the people to be patient as the government works towards upholding its promise of constructing a technical institute in every constituency within the country.
On the issue of the Irrigation Scheme, Ms Lumumba also assured the residents that the government will take up their request and provide a solution in the quickest time possible.
On behalf of the party, Ms Lumumba pledged to construct a house in memory of the departed party cadre the kate Maama Akiror Teresa.
She then donated Sh20 Million to kickstart the project.
She further handed over Shs8million on behalf of the National Chairman to cater for the burial arrangements of the deceased before also handing over a token of Shs 6million to the families of the two residents in the area who were also injured during the same Scuffle.
The SG assured the residents that the party will meet all the expenses of their treatment.
On his part, the State Minister for ICT, Hon Peter Ogwang thanked the Secretary-General for taking time off her busy schedule to condole with the family of the bereaved party member and the community at large. He further said that such a gesture demonstrates the unity amongst the Party members which strengthens the party structures.
He was also quick to apologize on behalf of the government for the regrettable incident and further re-assured the community that the culprits will be prosecuted in the courts of law.
The Katakwi DPC, Rogers Kapere said that all security forces will continue to work hand in hand with the community members to ensure that peace prevails in the area. He apologised to the community for the loss of life and urged the residents not to lose trust and confidence in the Security forces.
The Burial ceremony was also attended by the State Minister in charge of Teso affairs Hon, Akiror Agnes Ogunyu, the area MP Hon Andrew Joseph Koluo, the NRM Director in charge of Information and Publicity Hon. Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, the District NRM Chairperson Mr Opio John Richard among other District and party leaders.
