Government, Bunyoro in talks over colonial injustices

Bunyoro Affairs State minister Ernest Kiiza chats with students exhibiting arts and crafts. The minister is currently consulting in the region on how the government should address colonial injustices. PHOTO BY FRANCIS MUGERWA

What you need to know:

Bunyoro Kingdom youth minister says the government’s interventions to address challenges of poverty and underdevelopment are long overdue.

Masindi

The government is in consultations with Bunyoro Kingdom on how to address colonial injustices meted out on the sub-region.

During a meeting in Masindi Town on Monday, the State minister for Bunyoro Affairs, Mr Ernest Kiiza, said the government intended to implement the Bunyoro Integrated Affirmative Development Plan.

“The plan is to unlock the region’s potential and address the marginalisation Bunyoro suffered during the colonial and post-independence era,” Mr Kiiza said.

The plan is being developed by Team Initiatives Ltd, a private consultancy firm that has been contracted by the government.
“Government will also implement a systematic land demarcation and titling project to address the historical land concerns of the people in the region,” the minister said.

Bunyoro Kingdom youth minister Julian Ayesiga welcomed the government’s affirmative action. “Government’s interventions to address challenges of poverty and underdevelopment are long overdue,” she said.

Masindi District health officer (DHO) John Turyagaruka said the district has few health workers due to low remuneration and the ban on recruitment.

Transport constraints
“The DHO has no vehicle and is on foot yet he is expected to supervise all health centres. The health professionals can hardly conduct outreaches in communities because of transport constraints,” Dr Turyagaruka said, adding that Masindi Hospital needs renovation.

The Masindi District Education officer, Mr Francis Kyomuhendo, castigated parents’ poor attitude to education. “This has resulted in high school dropout rates, early marriages and weak school management committees,” he said.