HOIMA – President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday attacked District Service Commissions across the country for what he termed as ‘selling government jobs to Ugandans.’
Speaking at the 37th NRM/NRA Victory Day celebrations at Kakeeka grounds in Kakumiro on Thursday, Museveni said several members on the respective district service commissions across the country were vending government jobs for money while others demanded for sexual favours in exchange for employments.
The President warned the District service Commissions against the acts – advising them to stop immediately. Museveni asked Ugandans to provide all available evidence against such scavengers so that quick and appropriate action would be taken.
“I have been reliably informed that district service commissions across the country are selling government jobs and girls being exploited sexually as bribes for jobs.
“This must stop immediately. Why should Ugandans pay for jobs in their own country? Can we investigate and find out who these people are? I call upon Ugandans to come out with evidence so that the culprits are apprehended and charged accordingly,” said a bitter-looking Museveni.
The President directed the Police and District Internal Security Officers – DISOs to take lead in the investigations and arrest of all those being accused – charge them accordingly.
Museveni has also warned politicians and leaders across the country against sectarianism – saying politics based on sectarianism was criminal and would not be tolerated at all. He said that those promoting sectarianism must be arrested and prosecuted since it’s an electoral offence and criminal in Uganda’s law.
According to Museveni, what the citizens want most is appropriate service delivery rather than divisionism along tribal and religious differences.
President Museveni also said Ugandans should treat as satanic any person promoting sectarianism, which he described as a poisonous ideology because it sets up communities against each other and kills cooperation. He added that leaders who promote sectarianism based on identity, tribe, and religion are enemies who should be shunned by all.
The President re-echoed his warning against environmental degradation especially encroaching on forests, wetlands and steep mountain slopes – saying the practice must immediately stop since the vice is a big threat to the country.
He tasked leaders across the country to sensitise Ugandans to voluntarily vacate wetlands, river banks and desist from cutting down forests.
The President has also vowed to take tough action against school proprietors who have unnecessarily increased school fees both in private and public institutions of learning saying it is uncalled for. He said his government would expeditiously reign over errant education institutions increasing school fees for their personal gains.
He noted that soon, he would announce his position on all school proprietors both in private and public institutions – which have unnecessarily increased school fees that have compelled some students in secondary level of education drop out of school.
He said because of the frequent school fees increment, 64% of students in secondary school have been forced to drop out of school just because their parents can’t afford to pay. He added that despite several directives to the school proprietors against increasing school fees, some head teachers have adamantly disregarded government position warning soon he is going to wage a serious war against them.
He said that government must provide free education in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions since many families cannot yet afford educating children.
Museveni further explained that Uganda had already entered the middle-income status but there is still need for three more years to be fully recognized with a GDP per capita above $1,039 – saying all these were low targets, which Uganda would easily surpass.
According to Museveni, Uganda’s economy had grown to $48b by the end of June 2022, up from $1.5b in 1986 when he assumed power saying this is a great achievement in the NRM’s history.
He said the government would add value to more and more of the country’s coffee and the other raw materials like maize, minerals and cotton among others that will soon boost the economy to in a short period of time.
He further challenged the people of Bunyoro to use the critical oil roads in the region to promote trade and commerce to create wealth and boost household incomes. He says the people in the sub region should not sit and see the tarmac roads without making any tangible benefits from the road infrastructure.
Jesca Alupo, the Vice president noted that NRM government had made tremendous change ever since it captured power – saying the pillars of the NRM success were numerous – most critical one being a correct ideology of unity and peace.
She asked leaders at various levels to mobilise citizens to embrace the parish development model and also monitor the implementation of the program.
Robinah Nabbanja, the prime minister of Uganda commended the NRM government for the fundamental changes ushered in the region attributing the changes to stable peace and security.
Nabbanja said there was great improvement in road infrastructure in the sub region that has boosted trade and easy movement of people.
Milly Babirye Babalanda, the minister for Presidency applauded the Bush war veterans and their fallen colleagues for their contribution towards Uganda’s Socio-economic transformation saying that it is because of the peace they ushered in that the country is steadily transforming in various sectors.
She said the country should celebrate and honour the sacrifices and extraordinary efforts of the countrymen and countrywomen who worked tirelessly to liberate and reverse the state of economic decline among other challenges which had befallen Uganda under the leadership of past regimes.
She applauded the President for wisely advising Ugandans and protecting the citizens during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
At the same function, the President commissioned the 93km Kakumiro-Nalweyo-Bulamagi- Igayaza-Buhimba Road as well as the Kakumiro NRM House.
The 37th NRA/NRM celebrations were held under the Theme: “Our resolute effort to transform Uganda is a promise we shall fulfil.”
The celebrations marked the overthrow of the previous government by the National Resistance Movement on January 26, 1986.
During the celebrations, 45 people received various medals in honour of their contribution towards the development, peace and the liberation of Uganda.
