Get rich first before seeking new district, Museveni tells Acholi
President Museveni hands a coffee seedling to an NRM youth in Omoro County during the launch of a coffee growing programme in Gulu on Thursday. PHOTO BY JULIUS OCUNGI
Gulu- President Museveni has advised residents of Acholi sub-region to first create wealth before agitating for new districts.
“Development cannot be meaningful unless you accompany it with wealth creation. People in Acholi should grow coffee to supplement other crops that are being grown in the region,” President Museveni told the residents during the launch of coffee growing at Lalogi Sub-county in Omoro County, Gulu District on Thursday.
“I can produce cotton for Uganda because I am a rich man and I have a lot of land but because of its low earnings, I cannot engage in it. Peace, development and wealth are key. I have not forgotten about granting Omoro County a district status, we shall work on it in the coming financial year,” Mr Museveni said.
His remarks on granting Omoro County a district status follow concerns that the locals have been raising since he made the pledge when he was campaigning for Mr Jacob Oulanyah, the deputy Speaker of Parliament, who is also the Omoro County MP, in 2011 election campaigns.
Mr Museveni visited northern Uganda barely a month after he had been in the same area to commission the Shs26 billion Gulu Market.
On Thursday, he also handed over an assortment of tricycle ambulances and car ambulances to Lalogi Health Centre IV. The ambulances were bought by Mr Oulanyah.
