Residents of Buvuma Island have all reason to smile after President Museveni assured them that they will soon be connected to the national electricity grid.
Museveni who was campaigning at Kadinindi playground in Buvuma District, Museveni was reminded by the NRM district chairperson, Fred Wandera that the district lacks electricity.
In response, Museveni said the matter is being handled but in order to be sure of the progress, he asked his handlers to call the Minister for Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa for an update on the matter.
After a few minutes, the President returned with the good news.
“The plan is to first extend solar power to trading centres. We shall use mini grids to bring solar power to the small islands and this will be up and running in six months(from now),” Museveni said to ululations from the gathering in Buvuma.
He said the second phase will see the main island also connected.
“The second phase is for the main island to bring underwater cable with electricity from Mayuge. This will be ready in a year’s time.”
The President assures the residents that government has for long had elaborate plans for the people of Buvuma to ensure they are connected to the national grid but said there was some delay.
Land Compensation
The President also addressed another crucial issue of compensation of locals who willingly surrendered their land for oil palm growing.
“We are going to discuss who should be compensated and who should not. The money is there, but we must study the matter very carefully,” he said.
Earlier, the NRM Vice chairperson for Buganda, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo told the President that shs14 billion has been released to compensate all owners whose land was surrendered for the palm oil project.
He however said there are two groups of people who are to be paid and this has created some confusion on who to come first.
Kasolo told Museveni that there is a group of land owners who took government to court saying they had first got little money in form of compensation and others who have not yet got anything.
“ We want your guidance on who to get first. Whether those who have been patient and haven’t got anything or those who went to court.”
Speaking in response, President Museveni acknowledged the confusion but said this was a simple problem to solve.
“My lawyer has a report for me. I am going to study it, and we shall work on it immediately. We are going to rectify the issue. The issue is that money is available but what we are to rectify is who to be paid first,” Museveni said.
He also promised a ferry connecting Buvuma to Mayuge as well as boarding schools for the district for children who can’t cross from one island to another for studies.
Museveni also promised to ensure creation of a second constituency in Buvuma.
Wealth Creation
Museveni didn’t leave the podium without reminding the population of the need to get involved in wealth creation.
“Whereas development is good, wealth creation is key,” he said.
Giving an example of George Matongo from Ngoma in Nakaseke district, Museveni said despite being 70 miles away from the nearest tarmac in Luweero, he has been able to create wealth through dairy cows and sells 900 litres of milk per day , making shs21 million per month.
“You can as well use the available government programs to get out of poverty. It is possible because there are people who have done it and benefitted.”
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