By Marvin Ocol

The Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda, Annet Anita Among (MP) spent the fair part of the last few days with her constituents in Bukedea.

As part of her activities there, this publication understands that the Speaker on Monday hosted local council leaders at her residence in Apopong, Kolir.

While with her visitors, she asked them to be ambassadors of poverty alleviation and food insecurity.

To help the LCIs and LCIIs from the 3 sub-counties of Kamutur, Kolir and Aminit, the generous Speaker gave out hand hoes, gumboots, t-shirts and cash (for buying improved seeds for planting).

“As leaders you cannot command respect if you are not exemplary,” the Speaker is quoted to have said, calling out the LCs to fight to eradicate poverty, and ensure they have food in their households.

The Speaker challenged local leaders to appropriate their time well and engage in gardening and avoid leaving their wives alone digging as they claim to be busy with “community programs”.

On top of hand hoes, the Speaker said tractors for hire at a fair cost will be available for large scale production so that people get into commercial farming rather than usual peasant life.

“This is time for not just talking but for work. I will only be happy if you turn to be leading farmers. Get enterprises that are viable and income generating,” Among said.

Charles Oese, the LC1 chairperson of Kasera village in Kamutur sub county said Among is a God-chosen leader who is committed to lift Bukedea to middle income level.
Oese said Among has planted a seed oil sayings in all villages and that she empowered each SACCO with Shs 5,000,000.

“She has today spent over 500 million in all these activities,” Oese says.

Zipporah Akol Ochom, the Principal Political Assistant to the Speaker said all the projects initiated are going to be rolled out across the district.

Akol said there is no need for those who have not yet been reached to complain.

However, Akol asked LCs to inform the SACCOs in their respective places to ensure good record keeping as a team auditors will be sent out to establish progress of each SACCO.

John Okello, the LCI of Kanyipa village in Kolir sub county commended the Speaker for considering men in her programmes. He said oftentimes, only the youth and women, among other special interest groups are considered.