Former Presidential candidate Joseph Kabuleta has sensitized politicians from Bukedi subregion to come out and fight for their natural resources defending them against self-seeking leaders.
The leader of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) made the call while meeting 120 former political candidates representing the seven districts and 22 constituencies of Bukedi sub region on Friday.
According to Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), gold reserves at Busia mine is estimated at 12.5 million ounces of mineable gold.
The Busia gold mine is estimated to have an equivalent of 16 billion dollars in gold reserves, matching Uganda’s oil discoveries in the Lake Albert Basin.
Operated by Wagagai Mining, the Busia gold mine will be producing approximately 1000 kilogrammes of gold annually.
Kabuleta told politicians that it is very absurd that despite the rich natural resources in these area, Bukedi is ranked as the poorest region in the country according to some surveys.
“How can a region which is rich in limestone and phosphates and boasts three big cement factories be the poorest?” Kabuleta wondered.
Kabuleta noted that Bukedi region has two very lucrative gateways to Kenya, so rich in fertile land and rice farms be ranked as one of the highest in food insecurity.
Kabuleta urged the leaders of the region to wake up from their slumber and stand up to fight for their wealth which is being systematically stolen by a few political elites who have now used their connections to acquire square miles of resource-rich land in the region.
In September 2021, Kabuleta launched NEED- a political movement aimed at promoting economic empowerment among Ugandans.
Unveiling the political movement, the former journalist said NEED is constituted of politicians who currently hold no office but have influence in their respective sub-regions and are able to start meaningful discussions that shall see Ugandans fight for their resources.