President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated government’s determination to ensure that Uganda is not hit by famine, promising to divert resources from other sectors if necessary to address this problem if it emerges.
The president while speaking today at the International Women’s Day Celebrations in Dokolo district, said he will not allow the country to bit hit by famine, and also promised to find a lasting solution to isolated cases of famine that have in the recent past hit the northern and western parts of the country.
Museveni vowed, “We cannot have famine in Uganda; that will not happen, even if it means diverting resources from other departments. We will do so although this will stop progress of key projects.”
The president however said that the recent famine that hit Isingiro district in western Uganda and the Karamoja region was a good warning.
“This little scare is good because it has waked us up to look at irrigation,” he said. “As of now I have directed government departments to start working on solar powered pumps for irrigation and we have already experimented in some areas.”
Museveni however, warned that amidst plans to expand irrigation across the country, people must desist from encroaching on wetlands.
He therefore commended the people of Lango who he said have not “imitated the bad manners of encroaching on wetlands.”
Women’s rights
Meanwhile, at the event that was livened by pleasant all-female parade marches, Museveni cautioned that the push for gender equality and women’s rights must not be done independently but must be integrated with the rest of other government programs.
He noted for instance that women’s rights cannot be harnessed when there is insecurity in the country, citing the current refugee crisis in West Nile.
NRM and Women
Museveni also told the crowd that his party since its formulation had women on top of its agenda, and that despite a few setbacks during the armed struggle, the party has continued to support and elevate women’s status.
He noted for instance that in the 1970s his resistance group FRONASA recruited both men and women.
“When we defeated Amin in 1979, we formed a women’s group which was stationed in Mbarara. However, when we joined other groups to form UNLA, our partners rejected the women and their group was disbanded. In 1986 we were in charge and that is why up to now you see all these women here.”