The Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has urged the youth in West Nile to nurture their talents, saying they would in turn be earning for doing what they love.
Gen Kainerugaba was speaking to thousands of people drawn from the districts that form the West Nile region in Arua City where he presided over the climax of a sports and talent promotion event.
Gen Kainerugaba cited the example of the English Premier League where talented people get paid for doing what they enjoy, playing football.
The General emphasized that sports is not only good for keeping our bodies fit and ensuring diseases are kept at bay but also a unifying factor.
When the Uganda Cranes is playing, there is no language, political party or region, we all support it because it is our national team, Gen Kainerugaba noted.
The former Commander Land Forces cited a number of talented people in various sports disciplines from the West Nile region, encouraging the young people to emulate them and be great sports personalities.
Gen Kainerugaba, who handed over trophies and various prizes to triumphant teams, also highlighted some efforts by government to promote sports, including the refurbishment of the Namboole National Stadium by the UPDF Engineering Brigade and payment of salaries of some national teams, among others.
The tournament, which saw Arua City win the men’s football competition, was attended by senior UPDF officers including Maj Gen Dick Olum - Commander Operation Shujaa/UPDF Mountain Brigade and Brig Gen Bonny Bamwiseki, 4Div Commander; Brig Peter Omola, Col Naboth Mwesigwa and Col Mcdans Kamugira among others.
Meanwhile, the female winners were the ladies of Nebbi district. The competition attracted teams from all the districts of West Nile.
The recently promoted four-star general responded to a number of appeals by local leaders, noting that he was aware of some of them since he has stayed in Nebbi for some time. He promised to bring the issues to the attention of the President for appropriate action.
Members of Parliament, national and local leaders also graced the event that attracted members from in and outside the West Nile region.
