Kasese district has a lot of investment potential

By Raymond Baguma and John Thawite
Kasese attained district status in 1975. It is in western Uganda and neighbours Bundibugyo to the north, Kabarole (north-east), Kamwenge (South East), Bushenyi (south) and Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

Currently under the political leadership of Rev. Can. Julius B. Kithaghenda, the district mission is “To achieve sustainable socio-economic development through efficient provision of quality services to the people in conformity with national and local priorities.”

The chief administrative officer, Giles Kahika says, “Our vision is to have a poverty-free society by 2025. Our programmes are in line with the national framework of Poverty Eradication Action Plan, which also links with global initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals.”

Commenting about the major concerns in the district, Rev. Kithaghenda says land shortage is among issues retarding development and causing social conflict in the district.

He says in his new term of office, the district leadership will focus on sustainable development, service delivery and ensuring that government policies are implemented.

“We must lobby central government to solve the land shortage challenge in the district,” he says.

Being a border district, security remains uncertain because of the weak authority in eastern Congo. There are rumours that ADF rebels could easily regroup. In the face of such background, security was identified as a crosscutting concern and therefore the need to provide for security.


The Rev. Can. Kithaghenda commissioning a rural road in the populous kapoko village

Bukhonzo County MP, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga says, “Since 1962 when I was in P.2, I have grown and studied here and reached a level of leadership. But we have continually been in wars. From Rwenzururu, to NALU, to ADF and to PRA. There is no way we shall develop unless we end this problem of continued wars.”

President Museveni recently made calls to the government of neighbouring DRC and United Nations, to ensure eastern Congo stops being a hideout for bad elements who use it as a launch pad to attack Uganda.

Despite threats to security, investment potential areas in Kasese are abundant in the sectors of agro-processing, tourism and cross border trade with Democratic Republic of Congo. There are also natural resources like limestone, cobalt, salt and copper.

This potential could be transformed into industries, thereby creating employment. Presently, major industries and factories in the district include Kilembe Mines, Muhokya Limeworks, Hima cement factory, Kasese Cobalt Company and RECO Industries.

President Museveni recently also said Kasese would benefit from the establishment of an industrial estate and said an airfield and rail line were to be constructed.

Another contentious issue is the creation of the cultural institution of Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu, which threatens to divide the people along the lines of those in favour of the institution and those against. However, efforts to reconcile both sides and present the matter before cabinet for discussion are already on.

Dr. Kiyonga, a renowned opposer of Obusinga says, “A time comes when you must compromise for the sake of moving forward. I have been number one in saying the institution is retrogressive. But I am ready to make principled compromises on the issue of the cultural institution.”

For the last two financial years, the district local government has received a bonus from ministry of local government, for excellent performance in the implementation of LGDP II.

Kahika says the district has improved a lot in its functionality because of the LGDP programme.

“LGDP II has greatly enhanced our functionality. The success we have registered began by organising systems to meet the minimum conditions and performance measures, which are part of the conditionalities of LGDP,” he says. He says the district is addressing the challenges resulting from the abolition of graduated tax.

“We have designed and produced a powerful revenue enhancement strategy. It has a strategic framework and a medium-term strategy action plan that seeks to enhance our revenue outruns. We are also lobbying for more funds from the ministry of local government to finance the tax education programme.

The district has also formulated a performance plan based on results-oriented management that includes a vision, mission statement and district and departmental strategic objectives.

Rev. Kithaghenda says, “The people of Kasese need policies and programmes that shall empower them for development. Our leadership shall support all government initiatives for empowering our population, education and the economy. We pledge to work closely with all development partners and support all government programmes to enable us improve on household incomes of our people.”