Katakwi district has established a fund to renovate and equip a youth centre where young people can harness different skills.
Plans to revamp the centre were revealed at a fundraising at Usuk boys primary school.
Leading the drive, Vice President Alupo also woman MP announced and gave President Museveni’s donation of UGX 30m towards renovation of the social centre.
She supported the drive with UGX 10m saying “the centre sheltered us when we were Internally Displaced Persons, and I am happy to contribute to it”.
The Vice President also donated to different groups including the choir that animated mass, the catechists and gave soap to all the young people who received the catholic sacrament of confirmation as her contribution in the fight against covid. 829 young boys and girls received the sacrament.
Peter Abaine, the Vice President’s husband also announced and gave his contribution of UGX 2M, saying
“the youth are a very big fundamental tool of growth and when fully supported, they van effectively contribute towards the social economic transformation of the country.”
The Vice President encouraged locals to keep their faith and christianity and thanked parents for keeping their children in school.
“Government’s plans to enhance education are on course with establishment of new secondary schools in Katakwi, but also else where, just like its continued commitment to enhance the health sector”.
She announced that Usuk County would soon get a health centre 4 to ease access to health.
The Vice President encouraged the people of Katakwi to intensify their fight against poverty especially by embracing commercial farming, saying the Soroti fruit factory would be expanded and thus, a bigger market for the home grown fruits.
On the PDM, the Vice President encouraged the locals to embrace the program, since committees have been established. “This program is a game changer, please join and utilize this opportunity”, she remarked.
Alupo also re-echoed her earlier calls to the masses to continously protect the environment. “This issue is very urgent and critical and I request that we all taken keen interest and play our part. It is the environment taking care of us”, the VP remarked.
Hon Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of Parliament contributed UGX 15m to the cause, while the area MP-Bosco Okiror contributed UGX 6M.
In a show of non partisan unity from the 11th Parliament, various MPs both present and in absentia contributed to towards the fund. Close to over UGX 100m was raised in cash and pledges.
The new Minister of State in charge of Economic monitoring-also Woman MP Agago District Hon Beatrice Akello thanked the Vice President for prioritizing the issues of youth. “Utilise every opportunity given to you so that your future is great. Reduce alcohol consumption and drunkenness, utilize the rains to plant food”. She encouraged parents to invest in their children so as to shape their positive outlook.
In his remarks, Geoffrey Omollo decried the high levels of defilement reported in the district and appealed to parents to become more responsible.
Earlier, the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese Joseph Eciru animated a colorful mass, where 25 couples were wedded.
The bishop also prayed for the success of the ongoing church project which seeks to build a new Cathedral.