President Yoweri Museveni has said the electricity projected to be generated from Karuma dam will be three times the quantity currently being generated in Jinja and that this coupled with that which will be generated from Ayago and Murchison dams will create new cities and attract factories which will make the northern region the industrial hub of Uganda.
The President who is on a working visit in Northern Uganda was speaking at a grand rally held at the Apach Boma Grounds, in Apach district.
The President is in the region to promote the operation wealth creation campaign that aims at ensuring that each household has an income generating project.
While referring to the issue of investors who have taken up the Maruzi ranch, Museveni said that Uganda must modernize and the ranch should be transformed into a city of factories that will create jobs for our children. He suggested that Maruzi city should produce a number of products including motorcycles and was optimistic that this move would create a lot of employment.
The President said that Kapeka in Nakaseke District would be used to establish a motor vehicle assembly plant. He assured the people that if the Turkish investors do not set up factories in Maruzi, he would throw them out.
The President said government plans to develop technical education with the main target of providing skills.
“Our children must get skills. That is why we are going to develop technical education. Every constituency will be enabled with a technical institute. Skills are very important in efforts to enable income generation,” he said giving examples of professional skills such as midwives, nurses, mechanics, metal works, carpentry, ceramics and Information Communication technology.
President Museveni said government has managed to construct several roads in various parts of the country including the Gulu –Atiak-Nimule road and revealed that it would soon embark on the construction of the Rwenkunyu- Masindi Port- Apac – Lira- kitgum road. He said they have also expanded the provision of electricity and maintaining peace and security.
“Today government collects Shs12,000 billion per annum which has enabled us to provide a wide range of essential services and facilities. More schools and health centers have been provided because the Government has got some income,” he said.
Museveni urged the people particularly the youth to take care of their health and cautioned them against alcoholism. He called on them to take extra care against malaria infections.
He observed that indoor spraying and the use of treated mosquito nets would solve the challenge of malaria infections and directed the Health officials in Apac District to address the issue of malaria infections.
