By Ben Musanje
The government has started the process of formulating a new development plan for the Bunyoro sub-region, with officials saying the initiative is intended to set clear development priorities and improve household incomes across the oil-rich region.
The process was launched this week during a preparatory stakeholder meeting in Kampala led by the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs, Mary Grace Mugasa, at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, National Planning Authority (NPA) and the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus, among other technical officials.
Mugasa said the initiative follows guidance from President Yoweri Museveni for Bunyoro to develop a clear plan that responds to the region’s development needs and priorities.
She said the consultations will be expanded to include a wider range of stakeholders before the proposed plan is presented to the President.
“We are going to engage more people to formulate the development priorities,” Mugasa said, adding that she will also engage Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja before returning to the President with the proposed development plan.
The minister credited President Museveni for providing guidance on the need for Bunyoro to deliberately plan for its development, particularly in ways that can translate the region’s economic potential into improved household welfare.
Senior Presidential Advisor Moses Byaruhanga said the President’s interest is centred on improving the livelihoods of ordinary households.
He said the development planning process should therefore identify interventions capable of directly contributing to improved incomes and living standards.
The comments come as Bunyoro continues to attract significant national attention because of its oil resources and the economic opportunities associated with the sector.
However, government officials involved in the planning process say the region’s development should be approached through a broader framework that addresses the needs of communities and sets measurable targets for improving livelihoods.
Dr Emily Kugonza, chairperson of the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus, said the current process provides an opportunity for stakeholders to establish clear and achievable targets for the region.
She said the development plan should focus on interventions that can have a tangible impact on the people of Bunyoro.
The minister is expected to hold further consultations with technical experts and other stakeholders as the formulation process progresses.
The National Planning Authority and the Office of the Prime Minister are expected to play a key role in coordinating the technical aspects of developing the plan.
The consultations are intended to gather proposals and identify priority areas that can form the basis of the regional development strategy.
The process is also expected to bring together political leaders, government agencies, technical experts and other stakeholders with knowledge of the region’s development needs.
Once the consultations are completed, the proposals will be consolidated into a development framework that will be presented to the President.
The development planning process comes shortly after President Museveni met members of the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus to discuss strategies for accelerating development in the region.
The meeting focused on the development opportunities and priorities arising from Bunyoro’s growing economic importance, particularly in relation to the oil sector.
The new planning initiative is expected to provide a structured framework through which the region can identify its priorities and coordinate development interventions.
For the Bunyoro leadership, the emphasis is now on moving from discussions about the region’s potential to establishing concrete priorities and targets that can improve the welfare of its population.
Mugasa said the ongoing consultations will be critical in ensuring that the eventual plan reflects the priorities of the people of Bunyoro and provides a clear direction for the region’s development. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
