Completing his third day of Afrika Kwetu Trek- a 195 km walk in honour of NRA Freedom Fighters who shed blood while others lost lives fighting for good governance, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni paid tribute to a former combatant Christopher Ssetuba who lost the battle in 1981.
Ssetuba was killed by UNLA forces just a year into the revolution at Kagogo, Bukomero in Kiboga District.
“Christopher Ssetuba was born in 1924 and killed when UNLA forces attacked us (Kagogo, Bukomero) in 1981. I pitched my tent at his residence, where I spent the night to pay tribute to this gallant son,” Museveni said.
Museveni earlier said that the trek is a walking tour that helps him to bond with the population and also acknowledge the roles played by families and other people during the bush war struggle that lasted for five years.
A couple of people lost lives trying to abet Museveni and his soldiers, others who were perceived to have been colluding with the rebels (NRA) were taken by Obote’s men until today they have never been seen again.
The President revealed that by walking this journey from Wakiso to Kibaale jungles he is mobilizing his people by gathering very crucial information and also understanding the gaps in service delivery to the population.
He said that unlike 1980, when the NRA combatants used the same routes to fight Obote soldiers, this time round, Museveni is walking while bonding with people.
“We are mobilizing our people. Walking without an intention is very unserious,” he said.
The Afrika Kwetu Trek will end on January 10, lasting 6 days having began on 4th.
“This walk is a mobilization tour. I am getting a lot of information and I can see there are some issues with our people,” Museveni said.
He admitted that some of his officials in government have not mastered how to closely deal with the population.
While trekking, the President addresses crowds along the way, and gives their leaders opportunity to listen to their burning issues.
In Wakiso a local leader only identified as Mulwanya boldly told Museveni that the area had poor roads and the contractors hired by government to work on the roads were only doing a shoddy job.
Without mincing his words, he again accused some government officials for “eating our things sent to us by the President.”
This local leader was referring to Operation Wealth Creation (OPC) a campaign began by Museveni to economically empower the population.
By gathering such information, this helps President Museveni to work on people’s demands as the country prepares for an election in 2021.
The writing on the wall are explicit that Museveni will seek a reelection.
In Bukatira village in Nakaseke District, Museveni called upon the National Resistance Movement Secretariat to mobilize the masses at the grass-root level based on shared responsibility approach on the way forward after the liberation struggle was won by the Movement in 1986.