The Kyabazinga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, and Her Royal Highness Jovia Mutesi, hosted a luncheon for public officers from Busoga kingdom under the Busoga Public Officers Forum umbrella at Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja City on January 3rd, 2025.
The public servants presented a development plan to the Kyabazinga covering four key thematic areas including poverty eradication, fighting malaria, promoting sports and youth development.
Aggrey David Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, also the chairperson of the Busoga Public Officers Forum, called on his peers to unreservedly support the implementation of interventions under the agreed priority thematic areas. He also urged them to be change agents in their communities.
“I implore all of you colleagues, who are privileged to be in the service of our people in various capabilities and at different levels, to join hands with all well-meaning leaders at National and sub national level to accelerate socio-economic development,” Kibenge said.
Dr. Kibenge also urged elites from Busoga to support their families in rural areas. “One of the biggest problems is abandoning our elders in villages to suffer in poverty, yet we sleep in bungalows,” he noted.
Dr. Hamis Mugendawala, the Manager Policy Research and Innovation at the National Planning Authority, revealed that Busoga’s poverty rate stands at 30%, significantly higher than the national average of 23%.
Prof. Waiswa Kyobe, head of the Busoga Health Forum, emphasized the urgent need to combat malaria, noting that the average household treats malaria 48 times a year.
The Katukiro of Busoga, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, praised the government workers for their commitment to driving development in the kingdom. “Each of you here has a responsibility to develop your home, school, and family and to be the example we need for the development of Busoga,” he said.
The Kyabazinga called for collective action to address critical issues such as teenage pregnancies, early marriages, food insecurity, high school dropout rates, and poverty. He appreciated the public officers for their efforts and pledged to improve cooperation.
“Some of the major challenges at the moment include teenage pregnancies, early marriages, food insecurity, high school dropout rates, and poverty. I ask you to collaborate with the Kingdom to find solutions for these challenges,” the Kyabazinga stated.
