President Yoweri Museveni has assured small scale operators who are engaged in value addition of agricultural products as well as metal fabricators and also in other various sectors of the economy that government will support them to boost their activities so that this strategy helps in poverty eradication drive.

The President was yesterday addressing a public rally at Good Days Nursery and Primary School shortly after commissioning the Kira Metal Fabricators’ Association workshop in Najjera, in Kira Town Council, Wakiso district.

He donated metal cutting and bending machinery valued at Shs. 230 million to the 10-year old Association which has 30 members.

“The NRM Government has made the donation with the aim of facilitating the people in an effort to ensure poverty eradication. The rest of the 17 Associations that are engaged in metal fabrication in the area, will also be facilitated with similar equipment,” he pledged.

Mr. Museveni said the donation will help the youth of the Association scale down on costs they used to incur while transporting metal parts to Katwe for cutting and bending.

The President said while Government has ensured security and development in the country, it is equally committed to eradicating poverty in all households.

He added that one way of ensuring the success of the project, was to bring on board Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Officers to oversee and promote the Operation Wealth Creation project.

Mr. Museveni disclosed that Government will increase funding to the National Agricultural and Advisory Services (NAADS) programme from the current Shs.230 billion to Shs.1,000 billion per annum.

The President said Government has concentrated on the development of infrastructure as part of ensuring the welfare of the people; revealing that the NRM Government allocates Shs. 3,000 billion per annum towards the construction of roads, Shs. 2,700 billion towards electricity and Shs.2,000 billion to the education sector.

At a brief stop-over that he made at Najjera Trading Centre, the President thanked the people for their commitment to hard work. He reminded them to vote for people who care for them.

The Chairperson of Kira Metal Fabricators’ Association, Ms. Evelyn Kiwewesi, thanked President Museveni for his generosity. By Joshua Mutale