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New Vision (Kampala)
September 23, 2003
Posted to the web September 23, 2003
Grace Matsiko, Chris Ochowoun And Ahmed Angulibo
Kampala
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday commissioned the newly upgraded sh41.5b Nebbi-Arua road to the jubilation of West Nilers.
The function took place in Arua town. Addressing residents, Museveni opposed calls by MPs to scrap graduated tax, saying they were literally crippling Ugandans.
Wearing a black striped business suit, Museveni was driven in an old Prado number D04DF061, belonging to the UPDF 4th Division commander based in Gulu, Col. Nathan Mugisha, before he addressed a gathering at the Police grounds.
Unlike on other occasions, Museveni's thin security of about 20 soldiers was flown in direct from Soroti in a military helicopter and he followed them about three hours later.
The first deputy Prime Minister, Lt. Gen. Moses Ali, works minister John Nasasira, World Bank country chief Judy O'Connor, MPs and former vice-president Gen. Mustafa Adirisi attended the function.
"Those opposed to the graduated tax are okuremaza (Lunyankole for crippling our people). The graduated tax is not bad because it contributes to your own development," Museveni said.
he thanked the World Bank for supporting Uganda's development programmes.
Museveni said he would not marginalise areas that have persistently not voted him like Arua and Lango.
He likened the two areas to weevil-infected beans which cannot stop him from eating them because they can be washed.
