News coming in from Karamoja is that several elders are unhappy with the transfer of First Lady Janet Museveni from the ministry charged with their region to that of Education and Sports. Reportedly, some elders are so mad at the decision they have branded it an insult to the region given its massive support for President Museveni and the NRM party during the February presidential election.
In a media briefing by a cross-section of Karimojong elders about Janet Museveni’s transfer, one Karimojong elder is said to have spat fire asking who advised President Museveni to remove the only person who has been able to bring tangible developments to the region –citing the First Lady’s constant lobbying for the people of Karamoja to have projects that improve their life such as valley dams, oxen, among others.
Another elder is reported to have pointed out how Janet Museveni’s lobbying for valley dams in Karamoja ended fighting between the Karimojong and their neighbors over water and pastures, saying the dams have made the Karimojong settle down as water from them is used for different purposes from feeding animals to cooking to watering plants, among other things. This elder reportedly said other ministers in charge of the region had failed to achieve tangible results for the region.
One elder after another reportedly spoken to the press citing the First Lady’s achievements for the region in a personal tone –other areas cited including the introduction of food-growing in the area, the introduction of serious business and trade, promotion of tourism, among others.