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Jafari Bassajjabalaba
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At least 50 individuals will be awarded medals as Bushenyi commemorates its 50th anniversary in recognition of their contributions to the district's development.
These will be honored at the inaugural celebration of Bushenyi District Local Government's jubilee anniversary on July 5, 2024, at Bushenyi Playground.
The Bushenyi at 50 celebrations are organized by a Bushenyi Citizens platform called Make Bushenyi Greater Again (MBUGA) in collaboration with the Bushenyi district local government and will be graced by President Yoweri Museveni.
Addressing journalists at Peak Motel on Monday, Jafari Bassajjabalaba, the district Chairperson, said that at least 50 individuals and groups will receive medals in recognition of their significant contributions to the growth and development of the Bushenyi district.
Bassajjabalaba stated that despite the economic challenges, the local government is facing in delivering services, the day will be used to collect ideas on what the people of Bushenyi want from their leaders.
He said that the function aims at uniting all the people of Bushenyi, regardless of tribe, religion, or political affiliations.
Dr. Innocent Mulamuzi, the chairperson of the organizing committee, stated that the day would be celebrated under the theme "Celebrating 50 years of shared prosperity," which would also lay the foundation for future celebrations.
Mulamuzi said that an awards committee led by a senior citizen and composed of other senior citizens has been set up to identify individuals to be awarded in over 10 categories including Education, Agriculture, Politics, Leadership, and Governance, among others, noting that the awards will be given to current residents of Bushenyi, and posthumous medals will be awarded to those who have passed away.
He said that to mark the occasion, more than 1000 trees will be planted, and various activities such as community clean-ups, cultural performances, and sports tournaments have been planned to bring together all Bushenyians.
Robert Atuhaire, the Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), stated that the government would use the platform to promote patriotism, not only for the country but also for the district.
He narrated that the Bushenyi at 50 celebrations will be looked at as an occasion to celebrate unity, progress prosperity, and the Vision of the Bushenyi district.
Rose Kamugisha, a resident of Bushenyi, appreciated the idea of celebrating the Bushenyi district, noting that it would be used to showcase the success of women from different sectors, especially in farming. Bushenyi district was established in 1974 from the former Ankole district. Ankole district comprised the current 12 districts and Mbarara City Council. Since then, the district has had four Chairpersons with Jafari Basajabalaba as the current chairperson and fourth Chairperson.
Bushenyi district during the President Milton Obote II regime was the cradle of the Uganda People’s Congress party (UPC) in western Uganda dubbing him the “Nyamurunga” which translates to the beauty of the country.
It was later in 1993 split and Ntungamo District was created that took away Rushenyi and Kajara counties. In 2009 it was split into other four districts of Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, and Rubirizi with a new municipality of Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality leaving it with only two counties Igara East and Igara West, and a municipality. The district has a land area of 905 square kilometers, with 9 sub-counties, 73 parishes and wards, and 571 villages and cells.
Bushenyi boosts of its concentrated agriculture, trade and commerce, stone quarrying, sand mining, Tourism, and lumbering.
