Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (pictured) has revealed that President Museveni has ordered cabinet to study a proposal into paying salary to a tune of Shs60M to all cultural leaders.
The Premier made the revelation during the special Sitting held by Parliament to pay tribute to the fallen Teso Paramount Chief Papa Emorimor Augustine Osuban Lemukol, in which the premier said Government is working on a plan to improve the welfare of all cultural leaders across the country.
Nabbanja said that Government is in the process of making sure that these cultural institutions can have better funding than what they have.
“The President has directed that we organize an inter-ministerial committee so that we bring a budget here… He was talking about Shs60M per month. The President wishes these cultural institutions well such that these cultural institutions can do and perform their mandate,” Nabbanja said.
The Premier’s statement was in response to a motion made by Cecilia Ogwal (Dokolo DWR) requesting Government to revamp the defunct Serere Agricultural Research Center as well as construct an official palace for the emorimori in respect to the contribution he made to Uganda’s agricultural sector as peace building.
Ogwal said that Emorimori wasn’t an ordinary person because he dedicated all his life to ensure that agricultural production and quality of production is improved in this country.
“It is very disheartening that Serere Agricultural Research Centre is almost vandalized. It is no longer in existence and yet we are grateful that this Papa played a critical role in its establishment and ensuring that agricultural production improves in this country. It is very important that the palace be built not only for Teso but for all the cultural institution in the country,” she said.
However, Government Chief Whip, Thomas Tayebwa had earlier attempted to halt Ogwal’s motion on ground that it had an implication on the consolidated fund, yet such motions are a reserve for only Government.
“You know it very well in the constitution that any motion that has a financial implication, must come from Government and such a motion also, even when it is coming from government, Government has a process. It would mean first going to cabinet for approval so that Government is able,” Tayebwa said.
