MASINDI-The Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire days ago handed over 339 bicycles to the LCI and LCII chairpersons of Masindi Municipality and Masindi district to help in the mobilisation of citizens and monitoring of government programmes.
The leaders received their bicycles during the World AIDS Day celebrations held under the theme: ‘Ending inequalities among the adolescent girls, young women and boys’ at Masindi Booma grounds in Masindi town.
He asked the leaders to receive them in good faith saying that government has more plans for them.
“It Is in this NRM government LCI and LCII chairpersons are receiving means of transport. We have more plans for you. Use the bicycles to mobilize people to embrace different government programs,” he told the local leaders.
He further called upon the people of Masindi to work hard and fight poverty if they are to live a better life.
Masindi district got 256 bicycles while Masindi municipality got 83.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi district LCV chairperson said that only LCI and LCII chairpersons from the traditional villages got the means of transport, adding that others will be considered later.
“I want to thank the government for remembering the LCI and LCII chairpersons. They do a commendable job to ensure that our villages and parishes are secure. A bicycle is small but you cannot undermine it because it’s still the most reliable and affordable means of transport,” said Byaruhanga.
Kabakumba Labwoni Matsiko, the NRM party chairperson Masindi district said giving out bicycles is one of the promises made by President Yoweri Museveni.
“I am happy that it has been fulfilled. Now go and do government work,” she added.
However, Denis Tomato, the LCII chairperson Kijungu senior quarters who spoke on behalf of the chairpersons expressed his disappointment with government, saying it does not appreciate the village leaders yet they are one of the pillars of this country.
“We are the heroes of this nation but we are not appreciated as pillars of this government. We earn Shs 10,000 per month. I know some of you don’t want to hear this but how can you perform well when your earning Shs 10,000 a month? These bicycles are not going to help us as security leaders,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the people living with HIV/AIDS, Rita Nyamaizi, asked government to strengthen community structures if stigmatisation of people living with HIV is to end, saying it is based on myth and misconception, and a major barrier to interventions aimed at ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
She further asked for an increase in funding for the health sector in general and operationalisation of the National AIDS Trust Fund.
“We also ask for the repealing of the 2014 HIV control and prevention law which criminalises HIV transmission because it aims at punishing those who know their HIV status while discouraging people from testing and discovering their status in order to get care and support. We believe that stopping HIV infections should be a shared responsibility.”
She urged government to give special attention to people living with HIV/AIDS when rolling out government programmes like the Parish Development Model [PDM], Emyooga, and Youth Livelihood Programme [YLP] among others.”
https://thecooperator.news/kwania-lcs-receive-bicycles-after-10-years-of-waiting/
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