President Yoweri Museveni has challenged all categories of leaders and people of Masindi district, Bunyoro Sub-Region in Western Uganda to work hard and eradicate poverty from their homesteads.

“Stop using scapegoats for failure to ensure household incomes. The Kigumba – Masindi – Hoima – Kyenjojo road will be constructed in line with the set national programme,” he said adding that some leaders were in the habit of blaming Government for delaying the construction of roads in the area.

President Museveni assured the people that all the funds for the roads were available adding that nothing would obstruct Government from fulfilling its commitment to the people’s needs. He reminded them that the NRM Government completed the construction of the Kafu – Masindi; the Hoima – Kaisotonya roads.

The President made the call while in Masindi district during the tenth anniversary celebrations of Masindi Kitara Diocese and thanksgiving service. He was also the guest of honour during the fundraising drive for the construction of a new cathedral the ten-year-old Diocese.

Masindi Kitara Diocese was curved out of greater Bunyoro Kitara Diocese on 19th December 2004. Its pioneer Prelate, Stanley Ntagali, is the current Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda.

Mr. Museveni congratulated the congregation for attaining ten years since the inception of Masindi Kitara Diocese. He appreciated them for attending the celebrations in large numbers adding that the country was today enjoying peace which he attributed to a strong Army that has been built by the NRM Government.

President Museveni told the gathering that in 1996, the Government conducted a survey that indicated that there was a combination of both the poor and rich people. He said that the Government had resolved that households countrywide maximize the cultivation of four acres of land as part of the measures to eradicate household poverty. He, therefore, advised them to grow coffee on one acre, food crops on another, fruits on the 3rd acre and pasture for zero grazing of cows on the 4th acre.

Mr. Museveni called on them also to rear poultry for egg production and for the non- Muslims to tend to pigs as part of their efforts to eradicate poverty. He revealed that the NRM Government has enabled people in the liberation zones of Luwero Triangle, to plant 26 million coffee seedlings and was convinced that the move would generate good income for the beneficiaries.

He urged them to work closely with Army Officers who have been assigned to promote agricultural production in the whole country. He reminded them that the main task they have is to fully utilize their land in order to maximize their incomes. He observed that in Africa there is a challenge for people who have land but do not want to use it to eradicate poverty.

President Museveni was pleased to note that Masindi Kitara Diocese utilized well the Shs.100 million that he donated to them towards the Church construction project. He pledged another donation of Shs 60 million out of which he gave Shs. 10 million cash. He also donated a new Mitsubishi Pajero car to Bishop George Kasangaki and later auctioned a cow that fetched Shs. 10 million from Major General Matayo Kyaligonza. A second cow fetched Shs. 4 million.

President Museveni also assured the Muslim community in the area that he would soon fulfill the pledges he made to them.

The Archbishop of the Stanley Ntagali of the Church of Uganda saluted the President for honouring the function. He thanked him for supporting the Church noting that he contributed Shs. 100 million which was utilized well for the project.

Bishop George Kasangaki thanked lauded the President for accepting their invitation as chief guest and paid his glowing tribute for the donation of a vehicle.