NEBBI DISTRICT HOSTS NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS ON 8TH MARCH 2012.

The National Women’s day Celebration was held in Nebbi District on the 8^th March 2012 under the Theme “Inspiring Girls, Connecting their Futures”.

The celebration was attended by a number of dignitaries which included Ministers, Members of Parliament, Political leaders, Religious and Cultural leaders, Delegations from Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Heads of Institutions, Representatives from West Nile Districts and other parts of the Country, Women, Men, Boys and Girls from different sub counties of Nebbi District. The celebration was presided over by the President of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Nebbi Secondary School grounds.

The Occasion was marked with a number of activities which included marching by women in forces (Police, Army and Prisons), school girls and representatives of women groups. There were exhibitions and entertainment by different groups.

It was also an opportunity to demand and remind the President about power supply for West Nile region which is also a concern raised by the Citizens in the Citizens’ Manifesto. This was presented by the Local Council V Chairperson of Nebbi Mr. Okumu Robert Arule requesting for West Nile region to be connected to the National power Grid. Other priorities raised were the need for water and educational infrastructure like stored classroom blocks due to land shortage for expansion in schools. The Local Council I Chairperson of Oryang village Mr. Mwalimu Othembi in his speech stated that “the issue of water is a right not something to be demanded for” and noted that water crisis in his area was affecting education of the girl child since they have to spend time fetching water for domestic use.

The President while addressing the public said that the West Nile power demand was still low and consuming only 2.5 mega watts yet to be connected to the National grid would need a demand of 7.5 mega watts. According to the President, the 3.3 mega watts that will be supplied from Nyagak would suffice for West Nile while Moyo and Adjumani would be connected to the grid and get their power supply from Gulu. At this point the President asked the State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Simon Dujanga to assure the people on when the Nyagak power project would be completed. In response, the Minster explained that the machines in Nyagak were being tested and would soon be launched.

The same occasion was also used to launch the Senior Citizen Scheme Project, to unveil the foundation stone for Nebbi Women’s Development Centre and award medals to outstanding women and men for their contributions to the Nation.