Buhweju,Uganda – The Chairperson of Buhweju District and Western Region President of the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA), Deo Atuhaire, has congratulated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni upon his swearing-in for a new term and the subsequent appointment of a new cabinet.
In a statement released on Saturday, Atuhaire welcomed the newly appointed ministers, particularly those assigned to the Ministry of Local Government, and pledged the support of local governments in advancing service delivery across the country.
“We congratulate His Excellency upon his successful swearing-in and for exercising his constitutional mandate to appoint a cabinet that will help deliver services to Ugandans,” Atuhaire said.
As a representative of local governments in western Uganda, Atuhaire noted that the incoming leadership at the Ministry of Local Government inherits several unresolved challenges requiring urgent attention. These include salary enhancement for staff and political leaders, low wage allocations, inadequate budget funding, lack of transport facilities, corruption, salary disparities, unfavourable policies, and the need for further decentralization of powers.
He urged the new ministers to build on the work of former Local Government Minister Raphael Magezi and continue advocating for reforms to strengthen local governments.
“We expect the new team to pick up from where Hon. Magezi left off and push government to listen to and address the concerns of local governments,” he stated.
Atuhaire praised Magezi’s tenure, saying it fostered harmony among local government leaders and reduced administrative conflicts across districts. He noted that the former minister played a key role in resolving disputes involving district chairpersons, speakers, chief administrative officers and councils.
“He worked hard to harmonize local governments, reducing conflicts and cases of impeachment. Court litigations involving local governments also reduced significantly during his service,” Atuhaire noted.
Despite welcoming the new cabinet, Atuhaire admitted that Buhweju residents had hoped to see one of their own appointed as minister. He observed that after four decades of NRM governance, the district is yet to secure a cabinet minister.
“We were patiently waiting to hear the appointment of the first minister from Buhweju in 40 years of NRM leadership, but the list was long and none emerged from our district,” he said.
However, Atuhaire maintained that the district remains hopeful that President Museveni has not forgotten Buhweju’s contribution to national development.
“We hope our good President still has us in mind and that in the next cabinet reshuffle, Buhweju will have a reason to smile,” he added.
Acknowledging the complexity of forming a government from among many capable leaders, Atuhaire said he understood the difficult decisions involved in cabinet appointments. He emphasized that the people of Buhweju remain optimistic about future opportunities.
Using a local Runyankole proverb, he said patience and perseverance remain important virtues, and expressed confidence that the district’s time would eventually come.
The statement concluded with congratulations to President Museveni and a renewed commitment by local government leaders in western Uganda to work with the new cabinet in addressing service delivery challenges and promoting development at the grassroots level.
End.
