The Vice President of the Republic of Uganda , Her Excellency Maj Jessica Alupo Epel (Rtd) has commissioned Ocorimongin Market sheds in Katakwi subcounty ,Katakwi District under the Local Economic Growth Support Project championed by the Ministry of Local Government. She was represented by Hon Raphael Magezi, the Minister of Local Government on Tuesday 12th December 2023 in Ocorimongin trading Centre.
In his speech, Hon Magezi thanked the President of Uganda for his tremendous passion and effort in bringing peace and stability and above all transforming the rural communities so as to enable them join the money economy. He urged the market vendors to jealously keep and use the stalls for commercial purposes.
He further disclosed that Ocorimongin Market sheds was part of many other projects the Ministry of Local of Government was doing in Katakwi district. He noted that to-date the LEGS project has delivered and commissioned projects worth Ugshs 2,968,634,508.” In Katakwi. Additionally, the Government has over Ugshs450,000,000 for the tractor facility to be delivered to Kapujan fruit growers Cooperative and Ejoso development agency.
The construction of the Market sheds was financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Life and Livelihood Fund (LLF) as well as the government of Uganda. It should be noted that the construction of this sheds started in February of this year and due to the support and help by the community the project was completed without registering issues.
The Representative of the PS/Ministry of Local Government, educated and encouraged the vendors not only to enjoy making money but also be mindful of the hygiene of the sheds and market at large. She noted that Ocorimongin Market was chosen because of its strategic location being at the center of various communities making it cosmopolitan. “Ocorimongin serves people from Teso, Karamoja, Bugisu, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Buganda.” she said. She encouraged the people to be swift in trade so as to trap money to avoid making ocorimongin a transit place where money passes yet people remain poor. The Minsitry also pledged to complete the Ocorimongin Rice processing plant among other chain of projects that were planned for Katakwi District.
The RDC Katakwi, Maj Katamba Geofrey (Rtd) thanked the Ministry of Local government for supporting farmers and traders. He urged the vendors to keep the market sheds clean and safe. He on behalf of President’s office pledged commitment in continuing to support rural traders in socio-economic transformation.
Speaking on behalf the Katakwi LCV Chairman, Mr Ecuman the District Vice Chairperson thanked the H.E Jessica Alupo for the various projects she has attracted to the district since she assumed office as the Vice President. He also thanked the Ministry of Local government for the Ugshs 1billion that the district had received for road rehabilitation and construction. He also noted the support of Ugshs 100million that had been received by the fruit farmers in ongongoja Sub-County in Usuk County. He urged Hon Magezi to continue supporting Local governments across the Country.
On the other hand, there was concern by some of the vendors who missed out in the allocation of the market sheds. One of the traders, Mr Opus Emma raised the concern on behalf of the others vendors on the procedure followed in selecting the beneficiary vendors. However, Hon Magezi on behalf of the Vice President, Directed the PS Ministry of Local government to work with Katakwi Local government to renovate the old stalls so as to enable more vendors to benefit. He also directed Micro-Finance Support enter Zonal Officer to organize the vendors who had missed out into groups so that they are trained and supported by the end of this year.
On the other note Mr Augustine Otuko, the Private Secretary to the President in charge of Political Affairs and a former contestant of Ngariam County MP seat thanked the President and the government of Uganda for giving back to Ocorimongin Community considering the fact that the market contributes huge revenue amounts to government. He noted that the progress and growth of Ocorimongin Market that was once the biggest Internally Displaced People’s Camp was a testimony that the NRM government was working and that it cares about the local people. He however raised concern that ocorimongin and its surrounding areas were facing severe water shortages for animals and other production purposes. He requested Hon Magezi to inform President Yoweri Museveni and the Vice president that Ocorimongin Community is requesting government to desealt Opoc Colonial Dam that used to serve the area.
Additionally Otuko noted that for two years now the Ministry of Energy and Mineral development has been carrying out preliminary Mineral Survey in Katakwi. However, he notes that there has never been any official communication or sensitization of the local communities on what government is doing. He noted that this has caused a lot of fear among locals and there is growing mistrust against government due to too much speculation. He therefore requested the President and the Vice President through Ministry energy to organize a sensitization program for Katakwi District to allay the fears of many people who are worried of their land.
In attendance were the program coordinator LEGS, a representative of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Katamba the Resident District Commissioner of Katakwi District. The District chairperson and District councilors, the Chief Administrative Officer, district technical staff and Ocorimongin Community.