President Yoweri Museveni has praised the system of appointments into government state leadership adding that the elevation of senior officers is a result of the new dispensation that came after 1986 when the Movement Government took over political power in Uganda.
“The days of appointing somebody just because you like him are gone,” the President said.
Mr. Museveni made the remarks Saturday at the thanksgiving ceremony for Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoyi Owiny-Dollo, who is Deputy Chief Justice of Uganda. The ceremony was held at Patongo Akwee Primary School playgrounds in Agago county Agago District in Acholi Sub-Region.
The President pointed out that the elevation of Justice Owiny Dollo to Deputy Chief Justice was a result of the new dispensation that came after 1986. He said the ambition was to make Uganda democratic through regular elections and leadership on merit so that political leadership through elections at all levels and the technocrats through examination and interviews are the norm.
“I think the system is now okay because the base is there,” he said.
The President urged the people of Agago District to embrace modern farming for financial and food security in their homes and also pledged to improve their area’s infrastructure.
On arrival, the President officially opened WANG-OOH 93.3 FM Radio Station in Patongo Town. The radio station is owned by Hon. Edward Makmot.
President Museveni in his brief live-broadcast urged the people of Northern Uganda in General and of Agago District in particular to use the peace that is now prevailing in their area and the development programmes that Government has put in place to get good incomes.
“I am happy to be here and I congratulate Hon. Makmot for this radio. I was in Patongo for the first time in 1969 with a friend. A lot of changes have taken place. Now that you have peace and development, I saw electricity as I was landing, I want you to use that to get good incomes,” he advised.
The President was delighted to learn that the station will be used for disseminating the truth noting that the people of Northern Region have always been fed with ‘Goba’ –lies.
“I heard that it will be a radio of Ada-truth not Goba-lies, because you people of Northern Uganda have been suffering from Goba,” he said.
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, said an appointment must be looked at as a command to serve while the host, Justice Owiny Dollo condemned corruption and urged Ugandans to allow the judiciary to manage their docket.
The ceremony was attended by Acholi cultural leader, Rwot Acana, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanya, 1st Deputy Prime Minister, Moses Ali, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, that of Disaster Preparedness, Hillary Onek, religious leaders and other senior government and security officials, among others.