Kampala
Minister Beti Olive Namisango Kamya has told President Yoweri Museveni that she
has already delivered on her pledge to turn Kampala into the support base for
the National Resistance Movement-NRM party.
Kamya was speaking during the graduation of 8,480 girls and women with various
vocational skills under the presidential initiative for skilling the
girl-child. The event was held on Sunday afternoon at Kololo airstrip.
The girl-child skilling programme is led by Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the State
House Comptroller. Last year, the president presided over the passing out
4,000.
The graduands successfully completed their training and obtained skills in bakery, hair dressing, knitting, tailoring and shoemaking. They were drawn from the areas of Kigowa, Mutundwe, Luzira, Wandegeya, Nakulabye and Katanga in Kampala District.
“When I pledged three years ago that I will deliver 85 per cent of Kampala to you [the President], some people laughed at me. But isn’t this 85 per cent,” Kamya said, referring to the youths seated in giant tents.
Kamya made the pledge when she was appointed minister in 2016. Kampala traditionally votes against the incumbent and government officials have been on offensive in the last three years to turn the city into the ruling party’s stronghold.
Kamya said the president has now managed to reach everyone in Kampala and implored the graduands to vote peace in the next general elections.
Museveni faces challenge from Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi and there is a feeling among the government officials that many youths might be attracted to him. Kamya has led the president to various youth groups around the city dolling out cash to them.
Speaking at the same event, President Museveni reiterated plans of forming Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) of the same skill-set in various districts in the country, to enable youth borrow money to support their projects at low interest rates.
“We will be doing this in various districts and continue supporting such programmes such that we don’t take our jobs and money abroad,” Museveni said.
Additional reporting by URN
