Adjumani-President Yoweri Museveni has said Government is fully committed to pay the Veterans pensions in installments, having allocated a total of Shs70billion this fiscal year.
He said the NRM Government inherited problems settling the pensions for veterans and that government had a total debt of Shs1.5trillion.
He revealed however, that it has already paid Shs171 billion and noted that the Central Government was expected to generate Shs12 trillion this financial year.
“Through our policy of prioritization, we have managed to service the Veterans’ debt and render essentials services to the people.
The President was yesterday speaking at a rally at the Adjumani District Booma Grounds to promote the Operation Wealth Creation Campaign aimed at fighting poverty at the household level. The President’s four day working tour will see him making on spot visits to projects in West Nile and Northern Uganda regions.
The President urged the people of Adjumani to maintain peace and security, which is a prerequisite to development. Without peace you cannot do anything. The communication service is efficient and one can be linked to the diaspora from Adjumani, a situation that was not possible in the past,” he said.
President Museveni observed that the Government has provided development in the Northern region by ensuring that there is electricity supply and succeeded in securing funds for the construction of the Atiak- Moyo road.
President Museveni was pleased to note that the people of West Nile and Northern region have recorded progress by growing commercial fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, oranges and practicing fish farming.
He said in practicing commercial Agriculture, there are opportunities creating wealth. He observed that through the development of skills the people can work in various sectors such as being electricians, metal workmanship and carpentry.
President Museveni made donations of Shs10million to the Nurses’ SACCO, Shs10million for the women’s SACCO and Shs10million for the Boda Boda SACCO. Earlier, President Museveni toured Nile Crocodile Park in Laropi, Adjumani District on the shores of River Nile. He was received at the farm by the proprietor, Mr. Waigo Michael Otika.
The proprietor revealed that the park rears Tilapia and Cat fish. He revealed that plans were in the pipeline to rear crocodiles. He informed the President that he uses the water of River Nile by pumping it in the ponds.
The Nile Crocodile Park operates 18 fishponds and has the capacity to generate Shs630 million per annum.
The Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali said that Adjumani is the NRM bridgehead of West Nile region. He assured him that the people of the area fully support him.
The Adjumani district Member of Parliament Jessica Ababiku said that the people of the area have pledged their full support to President Museveni.
