President Yoweri Museveni has warned the people living in the cattle corridor to avoid livestock overstocking.
Museveni, who was speaking during the consecration and installment of Rt. Rev. Stephen Namanya, said overstocking has led to overgrazing which has greatly degraded the land thereby affecting agricultural productivity.
President Museveni, accompanied by his wife Janet Kataha Museveni said that although people in Kiruhura and the neighboring districts in the cattle corridor abandoned their traditional nomadic life style, worked on their farms and improved on the breeds of the cattle, they had not changed their old habit of overstocking that has greatly degraded land. He was however happy at the development that the region has registered under the National Resistance Movement.
“This area was very undeveloped and remotely inhabited by pastoralists, but it makes me happy when I see the development taking place. I praise the Lord because he has done wonders in this region,” he said.
The President urged the population to safeguard themselves from HIV/Aids reminding them that the disease exists and has no known cure. He however said it can be avoided by exercising sexual discipline and avoiding promiscuity. He urged the Church to pattern with government in the fight against HIV/Aids.
“I am told the HIV prevalence rate in this area is 7.1 percent much higher than the national prevalence rate of 6.4 percent. That means you need to do more than what you are doing. We have been telling you about this disease for the last 30 years but you wonder why there is an increase in new infections when people know how the disease is contracted,” he said.
The President donated a vehicle to the newly enthroned bishop and wished him well as he performs his duties.
The Rt. Rev. Namanya is the second bishop of the diocese of North Ankole and was installed at St. Emmanuel Cathedral, Rushere in Kiruhura district, on August 2.
Bishop Namanya replaces the Bishop John Muhanguzi, the first and founding Bishop of North Ankole diocese, who retired.
And, speaking at the same ceremony the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali thanked the President for fundraising for the Church House and other Church of Uganda projects and particularly for the 400 million shilling contribution Mr Museveni made during the recent fundraising at State House Entebbe.
He welcomed Bishop Stephen Namanya to the House of Bishops and congratulated his predecessor Bishop John Muhanguzi for his exemplary service to the church and for retiring honorably.
Bishop Stephen Namanya thanked the Church of Uganda House of Bishops for trusting him and electing him the second bishop of North Ankole Diocese. He commended his predecessor Bishop John Muhanguzi for being a good leader and for laying a firm foundation on which those who come after him will build.
He also lauded President Museveni and his wife Janet for promoting development in Uganda and prayed that country goes through the upcoming elections peacefully.
