Wadri Sam Nyakua, the Mayor Arua City speaking during the event. Photo by Godwin Abedican

By Godwin Abedican

Arua

Stakeholders and leaders in Arua city have voiced concerns over the low-income levels among the community in the city, hence calling for efforts towards economic independence so that the real meaning of the annual celebrations of the Independence Day can be realized.

Annually on October 9, Uganda celebrates having attained independence from the British since 1962 after being a British protectorate from 1894 and Arua city held her celebrations at Elifura stadium Onduparaka, Ayivu west division.

Speaking during the function, Wadri Sam Nayakua the Mayor Arua city called upon the public to work hard towards being financially independent so as to realize the real meaning if  independence day celebrations

“What does this independence mean to you? Are you yourself independent? At your work place are you independent? At your home are you independent? My request and appeal is that, let us improve on household incomes if we are to realize the proper meaning of independence.  If you are income insecure, you have no place in the society. Therefore, you are not independent. If you are begging every time and you are not able to meet the needs of your family, if your children are not in school and you are not paying their fees, you are not independent. Therefore, it calls for economic independence and this economic independence is not free. People must work for it,” the Mayor said.

While presiding over the event as the chief guest, Kumakech Salim, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing security and protection for the citizens in the quest for economic empowerment.

“All you need to do, wake up every morning go and do something that will increase on your wealth as a family. And indeed, the security is already doing a very tremendous job that, when you move from your market places coming back home the daily income you would have earned throughout the day should reach your home without being robbed. That is our commitment, that is our recommitment. And we want to promise as security that, we will maintain the status quo,” Kumakech pledged while addressing the crowd that gathered for the celebrations.

Asked about the impacts of the initiatives and programs the government has been implementing and continues to introduce aimed at raising the income levels of the citizens right from grassroot level, Hon. Lematia John, the Member of Parliament for Ayivu Division whose constituency hosted the celebrations however, criticizes the government’s approaches towards grassroot economic empowerment saying the current systems being used have failed and may not achieve their intended targets.

“Actually, for us to realize financial independence in this country it is not a matter of dashing out money to the people. The first thug is mindset change. If we could only change the mind of our people in this country, definitely, whatever little resources planned, the government will come up with, will be fulfilled well and then the income levels will increase. For instance, look at the PDM. How the PDM program came, people were not educated well. As a result, people simply pick this money and instead of using it to change their lives, people just waste this money,” Hon. Lematia said in an interview.

This year’s independence celebration is under the theme “RECOMMITMENT TO SECURE AND FORTIFY OUR DESTINY”