By Kintu John
Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Speaker of Parliament also Managing Director of Ekigangu kya Busoga on Monday launched the 2019 activities at Victoria High School.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Kadaga noted that now was the time for Busoga to support the different initiatives geared towards unity and development.
“When we started Ekigangu about 4 years, we were more on a litmus test but am grateful to Dr. Abaliwano and team who have steered the daily activities of the organization to greater heights”, she said before appealing to all stakeholders and partners to support all positive avenues for Busoga’s wellbeing.
“Let’s be focused in all that we do. We must be United and committed in everything for Busoga’s own good”, she echoed before heaping praises to the day’s co-MC also one of the pioneers of Ekigangu, Assumpta Muwanse for exhibiting the highest level of confidence which she noted is a sign of proper mentoring by Ekigangu kya Busoga.
The team leader, owek. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano Mulebeke, who attributed their achievements as Ekigangu to team work and consistency, appealed to parents, guardians and development partners to trust the organization by registering their children for the forthcoming retreat.
“We are a serious and credible organization that cherishes proper nurturing of children to ensure that Busoga’s next generation espouses the true Kisoga values and norms”, she revealed.
The school’s director, Hajj Abdul Karim Njubi commended the Kingdom for a rare opportunity of hosting the retreat.
“As management of the school we are grateful to the Kingdom for singling out our school to host the activity. We commit to do our best before and during the activity”, he said asking the speaker to help them overcome the issue of high taxes levied against the school and the delayed standard gauge railway that is hindering development.
The head teacher of the school, Mariam Nankumba vowed to rally all her parents and guardians to register for the educative youth retreat.
Several schools like Iganga SS, Iganga High School, Green Fields High School, Walibo Seed School, Bunya SS, Nkutu Memorial SS, Wanyange Girls School, Chosen Secondary School, Iganga Municipal Council Primary School among others graced the launch. Also present were LCV Iganga and RDC Iganga.
Started by the Kyabazinga of Busoga three years ago under the stewardship of Rt. Hon. Kadaga, the activity has benefited over 1000 participants, 100 community leaders and 300 stakeholders.
The rotational youth retreat has been to Bukoli Chiefdom at Bukoli College in 2016, Bugabula BB Chiefdom at Emirates Secondary School in 2017 and Butembe Chiefdom at Viva College in 2018.
This year’s activity is running under the theme; “Using Culture to end early marriages and keep girls in school” targeting girls aged 9-25 and boys aged 9-15 from 7th-15th/12/2019.
Already registration points have been designated as Busoga Kingdom headquarters, Bunya SS, Victoria High School, Hindocha Primary School, Green Fields SS and Kiyunga SS,Nakabale SS, Nkutu Memorial SS, Kisiki College, Kiyunga SS and KBS FM Kamuli.
