The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Lillian Aber, has reaffirmed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s unwavering commitment to the development of Teso Sub-region, calling on the people to embrace government programs that aim to lift them from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
Minister Aber made the remarks while addressing hundreds of women and local leaders during the belated International Women’s Day celebrations held at Asilang Primary School in Atiira Sub County, Serere District.
She emphasized that President Museveni’s love for the people of Teso is practical, not rhetorical, and is demonstrated through his deliberate efforts to eradicate poverty via initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
“President Museveni loves the people of Teso and wants you to prosper,” Aber said. “But those who are not taking his love seriously will remain poor.”
Serere District has so far received billions of shillings in PDM disbursements since the program launched in 2022.
These funds are being channeled directly to parish-level SACCOS, with each SACCO receiving up to Shs 100 million per financial year.
The intention is to support income-generating activities among households previously stuck in subsistence agriculture.
According to the Serere District PDM Focal Person, over 88% of the parishes in the district have successfully formed SACCOs, and the disbursement process is ongoing.
Beneficiaries are investing in livestock rearing, horticulture, small-scale agro-processing, and other productive ventures.
Aber, however, noted that despite the government’s best efforts, development remains elusive in many households because of family breakdowns.
She expressed concern that men in several communities are abandoning their responsibilities, leaving women to shoulder the burden of raising children and managing homes.
“If the family is not catered for, there will be no development. Development begins at home,” she stated.
“Children are being left with grandparents because parents are not playing their roles.”
Aber challenged women to take the lead in rebuilding communities, starting from the household level.
She encouraged them to engage more with other community members in dialogue about the importance of family unity and responsibility.
Minister Aber also heaped praise on Serere Woman MP and State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, for her transformative leadership.
“Leadership is a gift from God. Not everyone can do what Minister Adoa has done for Serere,” she noted.
“President Museveni has trust in her. Let us not change leaders just for the sake of change.”
Aber warned against unappreciative tendencies among voters who only realize the value of good leadership after it’s lost.
She called upon local government leaders to collaborate with Minister Adoa to accelerate development in the district.
Aber also called upon women, particularly those involved in church activities, to prioritize their homes before attending prayers or burials.
“Prepare meals for your husbands and children before you leave,” she advised. “This is how we build strong families.”
Minister Adoa, in her speech, reminded the audience that Uganda has made tremendous strides in empowering women under President Museveni’s leadership.
Drawing a biblical analogy, she noted that unlike in the times of Jesus when “only men were counted,” the current administration has recognized and elevated women to top leadership positions.
“Today, we have women at the top, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker Anita Among, Prime Minister Robbinah Nabbanja and many others, because President Museveni trusts women,” Adoa said.
She highlighted that women are now key beneficiaries of government programs like PDM and Emyooga, crediting the President for this transformation.
However, she cautioned women against letting empowerment disrupt family dynamics.
“Don’t grow wings because of empowerment. Let’s respect our men and maintain harmony at home,” she urged.
She also rebuked men who spend their days loitering in trading centers, gambling, and avoiding their responsibilities.
She stressed that poor parenting and failure to raise children in a godly manner was contributing to moral decay among youth.
The Soroti District Woman MP, Hon. Ann Adeke, who belongs to the opposition, urged the people of Serere to stand with Minister Adoa in the coming elections.
“If a tree is still yielding fruit, don’t cut it,” Adeke said.“Leadership requires capacity. Minister Adoa is a virtuous woman who has proven herself.”
Adeke’s bipartisan endorsement of Adoa was received with applause, underscoring Adoa’s influence and popularity across political divides.
The Serere Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Robert Adiama Ekaju, took the opportunity to warn against the rising trend of murders in the district.
Ekaju, who previously served as the head of intelligence in Teso, recounted how he recovered nine illegal guns during the peak of killings between 2004 and 2005.
He noted with concern that violent crimes had resurfaced around 2010 and have persisted.
“The recent killings are being done by children and locals of Serere,” he said. “We are going to deal with this menace decisively.”
The RDC attributed the violence to deep-rooted domestic conflicts and called for stronger community advocacy to tackle family-related issues that often spiral into fatal disputes.
He made it clear that no politician is behind the crimes, but rather it is a societal issue that needs collective responsibility.
Speaking on the day’s theme, “Accelerating Action for Gender Equality,” Ekaju lauded President Museveni for initiating legal reforms and programs that promote gender equity, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Anti-Gender-Based Violence initiatives.
However, he warned that some men are abdicating their duties, expecting women to shoulder the burden alone.
“This is not what gender equality means,” Ekaju said. “We must support one another for the betterment of our children and communities.”
He praised government programs designed to empower women and urged continued support and accountability from local leaders.
Meanwhile, Rev. Joseph Otiira, the Parish Priest of Asilang Church of Uganda, urged women to maintain humility and respect in their relationships, even when they achieve financial independence.
“Respect the dignity of men, even when you are successful,” he said. “Let’s build families, not rivalries.”
Otiira emphasized that true development is only possible if families are stable, and both partners play their God-given roles in raising children and maintaining the home.
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