The Mbarara Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Emmy Kateera Turyabagyenyi has vowed that he will not allow opposition politicians who intend to engage in activities that incite the public or sabotage government programs.
Kateba said this while delivering his New Year’s address at a news conference held at his office near Boma Grounds in Mbarara municipality.
He warned political actors within the opposition who have made it their habit to organize activities in Mbarara that seek to incite the masses against government.
“We shall not allow political indiscipline like those who bring political rallies at Boma grounds with an intention of failing government in its implementation of its manifesto or to incite people to fight government,” the Mbarara RDC told reporters.
“We shall allow political debates with our political opponents so we can discuss how issues should be handled, but for sabotage, that we shall not allow,” Katera said.
He went on to say “we want political discipline, we shall encourage political debates on designated forums, but we shall not tolerate defiance in Mbarara”.
He also used the news conference to hail Police in Mbarara for maintaining security during the festive season, which explains, according to him, minimal cases of crime registered during the season.
“We have had the most peaceful Christmas season in Mbarara district and the whole country at large,” he said.
That notwithstanding, Kateera cited a case in which a security guard was shot dead on New Year’s day, as well as isolated accidents including one where a Burundian refugee was knocked dead by a Global Coaches bus.
“We managed to control the security situation especially the dark spots, and people were able to move freely and to enjoy,” he said.
The RDC has appealed to the civil servants to report to work and serve the public, now that the festivities are over.
“From today, I want to monitor government offices right from the sub-county to see whether workers have reported. Celebrations ended, we should resume work”.
The RDC revealed plans to start monitoring programs currently being implemented by government to track progress and their impact on communities.
“We are going to monitor government programs right from Youth Livelihood Program funds, Women’s Fund and Operation Wealth Creation projects, to see whether such projects are being put to good use. We are receiving information that some of the heifers given to youths have been sold,” the RDC said.
He says that government has done its role and people should do their part in contributing to the country’s development.
“Development is brought by government – like roads, inflation control, electricity and the rest, but wealth is brought by you the civilians”.
Kateera added that as a district, they will sensitize the youths on the importance of embrancing vocational education, as a way of reducing the problem of unemployment.
“We shall try and reach tertiary institutions during the course of the year to engage the youths on vocational courses. We want to change their mindset,” he said.
“There are no more government jobs, so we want to educate the youths on which courses they can take to avoid job seeking. Jobs should look for them instead”.