Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni on Friday afternoon wound up his campaign trail in Acholi sub-region with a call to protect the gains achieved by the NRM in the past 39 years.
“I ask you to support NRM as you did in the past and even more now so that we continue with what has been achieved,” Museveni said.
The NRM presidential candidate was on Friday campaigning at Gen Paul Lokech memorial grounds in Agago District.
Museveni reminded the area of the LRA insurgency that he said hindered development, but also mentioned the cattle rustlers from Karamoja.
He however said he had been told there were some cases of attacks by cattle rustlers but said he will direct UPDF commanders to deal with them decisively.
“I will find out why the cattle rustlers were not finished completely because we have the capacity to deal with them.If they(rustlers) stay in the bush, they are easier to deal with because they are isolated and we have capacity in the air.”
Museveni also expressed dismay at the presence of protected kraals which are communal livestock enclosures where cattle were guarded by the army at night for protection against cattle rustlers.
“I see you still have protected kraals here. We had protected camps of people not cows. People are intelligent can stay and eat food but cows are not intelligent.. If you have protected kraals where will you graze from? The answer is to eliminate trouble makers so cows can graze.”
The system of protected kraals ensures that cattle is grazed during the day and gathered at night in communal, army-protected kraals.
Museveni however said the system is outdated since the UPDF now has capacity to decisively deal with cattle rustlers.
“Cattle thieves are easy to deal with. It is not like stealing gold that you can put in pockets. Cows are easy to follow. What you need is quick alarm from kraal to command centre for UAV(drones) to come. Even at night you can follow them and then hit them. When they steal cows, they put them in vehicles. The vehicles don’t fly. That is even easier since we control the roads. I will discuss with commanders to help sort out this.”
He assured locals that cattle rustling will be dealt with.
Museveni mentioned key infrastructure constructed in Agago including schools, health centres, roads, and electricity among others, noting that in the next term , more will be constructed.
He however reminded locals of the need to participate in wealth creation, noting that despite the need for development, wealth is key.
According to Museveni, government has so far disbursed shs36 billion under the Parish Development Model to the 117 parishes making up Agago.
At least 36,075 households of the total 67,760 households have so far benefited from PDM.
He said government will send more cash for PDM to ensure all households get involved in wealth creation.
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