Kigezi Sub-Region Members of Parliament under the Kigezi Parliamentary Forum on Thursday elected new leaders, where the Minister of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance Dr Chris Baryomunsi was elected as the new Chairperson.
Dr Chris Baryomunsi, was elected as the Chairperson of the Kigezi Sub-Region Parliamentary Caucus, Catherine Ndamira as Vice Chairperson, Medius Kaharata as Secretary, Roland Ndyomugyenyi as Treasurer, Nicholas Kamara as Publicity, and Patience Kinshaba Nkunda as Whip.
The election took place on Thursday at the Serena Hotel in Kampala and was attended by MPs and Ministers from the Region that included Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the Minister of Security as well the Rujumbura County, Moses Kamuntu of Rubanda West, David Bahati, the State Minister of industry and Ndorwa County West MP, Catherine Ndamira, the Kabale Woman Member of Parliament, Medius Kaharata, the woman MP of Kanungu, Roland Ndyomugyenyi, the Rukiga County MP, Nicholas Kamara, the Kabale Municipality MP, Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu of Bukimbiri County, Dr James Nsaba Buturo of Bufumbira East and Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, the Kanungu Woman MP.
Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera, the Rubanda County West Member of Parliament, in an interview told this site that the forum will help them as leaders of Kigezi to lobby government. He further told this site that the region has alot of unfulfilled pledges that if united they would collectively as leaders to work together to see that some of the presidential pledges are fulfilled as well as lobby for more projects in the region.
Kamuntu also says that the poverty levels in the region are at an alarming rate of 7.8 per cent. He says, that as leaders of the region, they need to put all their efforts together to see that all this is fought by encouraging the people to engage in government projects as well encourage the locals to desists from alcohol.
David Bahati, the State Minister of Industry also re-echoed the fact that their is need to work together, if development is to be realized in the region. He urged leaders to reject sectarianism, particularly based on religion and tribe, saying that sectarianism stands as the primary obstacle to development in the region and a significant contributor to poverty.
Minister Bahati emphasized the imperative to foster cooperation and eradicate the vices of sectarianism that are adversely affecting the region, as he highlighted the hindrance posed by sectarianism, particularly based on religion and tribe, to the overall development of the area.
“The poverty we are fighting knows nothing about religion or tribe; There is no poverty that is Catholic, Anglican, nor Muslim. Poverty is poverty, and it hurts, and I know, how poverty hurts.” said Bahati
Using a market analogy, Bahati emphasized, “When you go to the market, you cannot find any product called tribe; the only tribe in the market is the buyer and the seller. This metaphor underscores the idea that, in the pursuit of progress, the cooperation and collaboration of all individuals, irrespective of tribal affiliations, are crucial.”
Dr Chris Baryomunsi, in his speech promised to work with all leaders and embrace unity among the region. He also put emphsis on the issues tackled by other leaders . Dr Chris who is also the Western Uganda NRM Vice Chairperson, vowed to fight sectarianism and all hindrances of development in the region for the faster economic growth of the region