Local leaders in West Nile are preparing demands to present to President Yoweri Museveni during his upcoming visit to the sub-region next week.
The leaders expect the President to address critical issues affecting the development of the region, including unreliable electricity supply, poor road infrastructure, poverty, and unfulfilled presidential promises.
The President is scheduled to tour the West Nile sub-region from April 11th to 13th 2023, where he is expected to dialogue with leaders from the greater Arua covering the districts of Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo, Madi Okollo, Arua, Maracha, Terego, Koboko, and Yumbe.
Similarly, the President will visit Madi sub-region and address a public rally in Obongi district during his tour of the region.
Moyo District chairperson Williams Anyama, who also serves as the chairperson for West Nile Development Association (WENDA), an umbrella body for the local leaders, stated that the regional task force is finalizing the compilation of key demands that will be presented to the President.
He added that they expect the President to make pronouncements on issues such as the delayed connection of the region to reliable and industrially stable power.
The West Nile region has been struggling with unreliable electricity supplied by the West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO) for several years. Last month, the government announced a new deadline for fully connecting the region to the national grid by June this year after failing to meet the previous deadline of March this year.
Robert Omito Steen, the Pakwach District chairperson, explained that besides addressing the issue of unreliable power and poor road infrastructure, the region needs affirmative action in education, as well as elevating the region as a special economic zone.
Similarly, the Obongi County Member of Parliament, Dr. George Bhoka, emphasized the need for the government to expedite the construction of strategic roads in Madi Sub-region to enable access for farmers.
However, Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Privatisation and Investment, explained that the planned visit of the President is not political, like the previous visits. She added that the main purpose of the visit is to have a dialogue with leaders to discuss issues on the implementation of government programs meant to drive social-economic transformation.
West Nile is the second region to be visited by President Museveni after he recently toured the Acholi sub-region in February 2023 to monitor the implementation of government programs geared towards poverty alleviation.
