GABULA DAY CELEBRATIONS: Minister Babalanda Hails Kyabazinga for Skilling Busoga Youth

What the report says

Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda praised the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, for what she described as efforts to equip young people in the sub-region with practical skills. According to Watchdog Uganda, she made the remarks during Budiope Gabula Day celebrations held on Wednesday at Kitaidhumbwa Primary School in Budiope County, Buyende District, an event attended by kingdom officials, local leaders and government representatives.

Babalanda said the Kyabazinga’s skilling work through the Gabula Royal Foundation aligns with government efforts such as the Presidential Skilling Hubs, and she urged residents to take advantage of other wealth-creation programmes. She also pointed to the long-promised Ambercourt–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road project, saying Parliament had approved borrowing to finance upgrades on the 127-kilometre road and several roads in Jinja City. The minister additionally said delays in compensation for people affected by the planned nuclear plant project at Kasaato were linked to verification challenges involving suspected ghost beneficiaries.

The Kyabazinga thanked the central government for supporting Busoga Kingdom and said the region is pursuing development-focused initiatives. He launched Kitaidhumbwa Community Primary School and pledged support for additional classroom and boarding facilities. He also urged young people to value education and benefit from it as a path to community service and employment.

The celebrations ended with cultural performances highlighting Busoga identity and unity. More broadly, the event reflected the continued role of cultural institutions in local development discussions in eastern Uganda.