Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - August 24, 2004
Alfred Wasike in Gulu
"This is unacceptable. This is criminal. This is a very serious offence. Katumba (Inspector General of Police) must investigate this Kalangala thing immediately and expose the criminals," Museveni said on Sunday night in the UPDF Fourth Division headquarters in Gulu.
He was reacting to a memorandum from the Gulu District Interim Committee for the NRM/O Task Force, Movement committees, women, youth, the business community and other pressure groups. The meeting lasted till 4:00am.
Security state minister Betty Akech and that for northern Uganda rehabilitation Grace Akello, Gulu resident district commissioner Max Omeda and LC5 chief Lt. Col. Walter Ochora were present.
The memorandum said since peace was about to return to the north, Museveni needed to know that KAP collected millions of shillings from about 300 Movement supporters, which had caused bitterness.
A surprised Museveni said, "I don't know whether they were registered. We can't accept this criminality."
The memorandum rejected federo for the north and urged Museveni to stand for the presidency in 2006. It called for action to curb Gulu's 11.2% HIV/AIDS rate compared to the national 6% rate. It also complained of poverty, unemployment and the failure to access funding from the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund.
The memorandum said Uganda Television does not cover northern Uganda and called for low-cost housing schemes for resettlement of internally displaced people.
Museveni urged the youth to go for elections and replace northern leaders whom he described as narrow-minded. He accused the leaders of failure to condemn terrorism, which has wrecked the people they represent.
He said since the LRA were "in the dying stages," it was time to focus on post-conflict development of the region.
A statement from State House said the memorandum commended Museveni's, the UPDF's and the Government efforts to restore peace in the region.
The statement said Museveni invited the leaders to review the social, political and economic situation in the district.
"They told the President that commendable progress had been realised towards attaining peace in the region after the recent launching of 'Operation Iron Fist' to end the LRA terrorist activities in northern Uganda," the statement said.
The group thanked the Government for the programmes directed at re-building and rehabilitating the region. They singled out the students' bursary scheme for children in camps, the UPE programme and the Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture.
"They hailed the UPDF in its humane handling of returnees," it said, adding the leaders asked Museveni to facilitate reconciliation.
It said Museveni assured them that reconciliation was a paramount tenet of the Movement which, he said, was always willing to make amends with former opponents for development and national unity. He said the Government integrated armed groups in the army for unity.
040824
NV040836
Copyright © 2004 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .