President Museveni to Spend 3 Days in West Nile Discussing Investment, Wealth Creation

President Yoweri Museveni resumed his regional tours aimed at inspecting the progress of the Parish Development Model today, April 11, starting with the northwestern region of Uganda, popularly known as West Nile. He will be there up to April 13.

The visit is also aimed at discussing investment, wealth creation, and deliberating strategies to reduce unemployment and poverty among the population.

According to Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), President Museveni will visit model farms in the districts of Nebbi, Madi-Okollo, Arua City and Obongi, engage with local leaders and the business community, inspect a value-addition exhibition (organized by Uganda Investment Authority) and hold two meet-the-people rallies (in Arua City and Obongi).

There will also be presentations on investment opportunities and incentives by UIA, as well as from various government ministries, departments, and agencies on various development issues.

UIA will, in addition to organizing the value-addition exhibition, will also showcase various investment and business support services it offers through the One-Stop Centre for Investors.

The State Minister of Finance (Privatisation and Investment) Evelyn Anite said President Museveni's tour will be more business-oriented in order to deal with key issues that would boost the business and economic development of the region.

West Nile has lots of investment and business opportunities in commercial agriculture, agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, fishing, forest resources, mining, real estate, and services.

Its proximity to South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic also makes it ideal for cross-border trade. Key economic needs of the region include key infrastructure like industrial power and water, roads, affordable financing and business support services, amongst others.

The president will talk to the population about how they can properly utilize the money for the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to increase their household incomes. Recently, the government sent Shs.20 million to all registered and verified PDM SACCOs.

Richard Todwong, the NRM Secretary-General, while interacting with Arua city dwellers after a procession, said that meetings with the President are expected to be very interactive, and therefore, people are encouraged to attend and freely talk to the Head of State on issues affecting their daily lives.

On Thursday, President Museveni will interact with the people of Madi-Okollo, Moyo, and Obongi districts at a major meeting organized in Obongi town. Todwong emphasized that the President also NRM National Chairman is coming not only to meet with area leaders but also to engage with the population on issues affecting them.

West Nile sub-region is the second area for President Museveni to tour, having begun his regional visits in Acholi in February this year.