By Golooba Richard
Hon Atima Jackson Lee Buti, MP, Arua Central Division and Government Regional Whip /PLU Coordinator for West Nile, recently hosted Rt Hon Richard Todwong, Secretary General of NRM, and had various engagements within Arua Central Division. We had a chat with him.
Let’s talk value Addition
Hon Atima Jackson: We are very appreciative to President Museveni and government of Uganda, through the line ministry of local government for the initiative of the two multi billion projects, the value addition facility which was a key component of the Arua main market project under the Market and Agriculture Trade Improvement (MATIP-II) Program with the primary purpose of empowering farmers in the West Nile region to add value to their cereals and sell them at higher prices. It was funded by the African Development Bank, and with aims to promote value addition and improve market access for agricultural produce, benefiting both farmers and consumers. After completion government of Uganda entered into a Public-Private Partnership with Rwahi Investments Limited to manage the facility, for effective operations, and since then it has significantly and efficiently contributed to local job creation and economic growth. I encourage our people from within West Nile to utilize this facility, now that government gave us tractors in all districts (Madi Okollo, Terego, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe, Arua District, Moyo, Adjumani, Pakwach, Nebbi, Obongi and Zombo) apart from Arua City which didn’t get, and handheld tractors for all sub counties, let’s open up our lands, do extensive farming to feed the facility and sell to the big markets of Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
I equally appreciate our Secretary General Rt Hon Richard Todwong for his dedicated and pro-people party leadership approach, Hajati Medina Naham, Director Finance and Administration, for coordinating the tour, the Resident Commissioners, LCV chairpersons, security, and all stakeholders.
The New Arua Market:
Hon Atima Jackson: The value addition facility was a component under Arua main market project, so we have a new modern market designed to accommodate over three thousand (3000) vendors, I must admit we had challenges in allocation of space, as many original vendors missed out, or didn’t get what they were told in the beginning of reconstruction, those who had lockups expected to get new lockups, but maybe due to design and space it wasn’t possible. The explanations to them were not clear, but going forward we have over time encouraged vendors working outside to enter the market, and that precedent has scared many who work in areas or markets that need redevelopment, they fear losing their space as their colleagues, so government officials involved should be honest people to handle places like Gagaa Market etc.
The 39 billion market today collects nearly 90 millions per month from vendors especially our fish mongers who contribute a lot. But they had a challenge recently when some technical officials wanted to relocate them to a private market, a thing which will cause financial loss to the city, people demonstrated and it warranted my intervention to stop the process. So when they learned of the coming of Rt Hon Todwong, they prepared and presented their new challenge, he assured them that nobody will take them away from a government market to a private one. We don’t want unwanted public explosions that will affect mobilization for President Museveni, all technical staff should stand warned that as Government Regional Whip for West Nile, I will not tolerate in anyway activities geared towards discrediting NRM and government, and causing panic within the communities, any new project to be undertaken that directly affects the welfare or working environment of our people like vendors, transporters etc, they should be engaged directly and transparently, otherwise as NRM family we want to have landslide performance come 2026. The technical staff and market master should ensure timely payment of bills for power and water, provide security and keep the market clean at all times.
What should your people expect as we head to 2026?
Hon Atima Jackson : Government of Uganda, under NRM which is headed by President Museveni is committed to security and peace, protection of life and property and prosperity of the people. They should use the Parish Development Model (PDM) money effectively, but also through Emyooga etc. We now have GROW project for women entrepreneurs, which is being implemented, as a few challenges of accessibility are sorted out, to allow our upcountry women to also get.
Government is committed to fight corruption, especially as reported by the Auditor General’s reports, that it’s deeply embedded in our local governments, which are the last mile service providers. In Arua Central Division, we have benefited from Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID), and the government is engaging with the World Bank for Phase II funding under USMID projects starting July 2025 for 10 cities and 26 municipalities in the country, so let’s support this government to transform lives. Now that we are connected to the national grid as West Nile, let’s lobby for massive investment in manufacturing industries, which will accommodate our young people. I want to appreciate all those who saw the opportunity and invested earlier; now let them expand the production capacity.
Lastly, as West Nile, let’s continue to support President Museveni and NRM in implementing the socio-economic transformation agenda.
Thanks very much.
©2025 Golooba Richard
