EABW reporter

MOROTO, UGANDA - First Lady Mrs Janet Museveni Twenty has commissioned 20 housing units at Nakapelimeni Camp Swahili in Moroto unicipality in north eastern Uganda.

This brings to 20 units the number of houses so far constructed by government as a strategy to transform the living conditions of the Karimojong.

Mrs. Museveni, who is also the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs called upon the communities to work to modernise Karamoja Sub-Region. She said she wanted to see these modern villages replicated all over the sub-region.

"Our dream is to see people build such houses themselves using the hydra-form machines that we purchased. I would like to see all villages develop and have this kind of housing units," Mrs. Museveni said.

The iron roofed three-roomed housing units, were constructed by Karimojong youth trained in hydra-form construction skills by Hydra-form Group, South Africa.

Mrs. Museveni also visited the Nadunget Hydra-form Housing Units completed in October 2009 where she found additions which include a solar panel, a water tank for each unit, a borehole, latrines and fencing.

She urged the beneficiaries of the Nadunget houses to be the change agents. "The elderly are the beneficiaries of these houses. They are helpless. Members of their families should take care of these houses and keep them and the latrines clean. Do not let animals in these houses," she added.

She advised the youth to utilize the tractor hire services to open up land and grow food so that their elderly mothers and grandmothers do not die from famine. "We do not want you to have water and light alone but also food," she said.

 The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr.  Pius Bigirimana, reported that the Nadunget and Nakaperimeni - Camp Swahili Housing Units, are a demonstration of one of the priorities of modernization of Karamoja which is to ensure decent accommodation. Others are food production and provision of water for both domestic use and for livestock.