Former Legislator Blames Present Failure of Government Programmes on Laxity of Parliamentarians
By Fredrick Siminyu
Mayende Stephen Dede, who was at one time a legislator for Bukhooli South constituency in Namayingo district has suddenly resurfaced on the political arena and cited laxity plus lack of patriotism by current political representatives of the electorate in parliament as cause for the ongoing persistently rising poverty levels in the communities.
Dede, a true Son of the Samia soil, contends that those who came after him as area legislators in Bukhooli South have failed to translate president Museveni’s message of wealth creation and prosperity for all into a meaningful reality at the grassroots, and pushed the rural folks into wallowing in biting poverty, for which the non realistic critics of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party erroneously blame government.
In an exclusive dialogue with The Public Lens, on May 29, 2024, Dede regretfully explained that although the NRM leadership has gone an extra mile in its endeavors to fight poverty through programmes such as Emyooga and Parish model plus many others, the would be representatives of the people in parliament have not bothered to promote these programmes to help the grass root rural residents in Bukhooli South.
“For the government programmes to bear fruit and pull the wanainchi out of poverty, there was need for the members of parliament to reach out down to the locals and avail them with specialized organizations with technocrats who are able to train the people on the benefits and implementation of these programmes. Unfortunately all has been shunned and left to the president to both initiate and teach the beneficiaries,” Dede roared.
The oratory Dede, boasted and reminded the residents of Bukhooli South that during his term in parliament, through his effective lobbying and advocacy, numerous government programmes were initiated but some were not completed due to shortage of time.
“During my term in parliament, poverty eradication programmes had been initiated and were flourishing, some of the area roads were worked upon by government, rural electrification started and some areas benefited. Safe drinking water for the first time came to relief the waninchi from sharing muddy pond water with cattle and land tenure wrangles temporarily became a night mare, but these were disrupted when I left parliament and my people are suffering like helpless orphans,” Dede tearfully narrated.
Though nonpartisan in religion himself, but a staunch Christian by faith, Dede quoted the biblical instructions as well stipulated in the book of Philippians 2:3-4 as saying “……….do nothing out of self ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves………….” to which he referred to as having been neglected by the current so called representatives of the people and he vowed that he has resurfaced to effectively abide and render service to the people.
“As devoted Christian and a patriot, my emphasis this time will as usual be self denial and service to my people. My concern will be centered on wealth creation to eliminate poverty by lobbying and promoting government programmes plus creating a favorable environment for money lending institutions that charge low interest to come to Namaingo district and enable the residents to support and set up income generating activities,” Dede vowed.
He as well promised to consult the residents and establish their needs then follow up those programmes which were started by government in Bukhooli South constituency through his outstanding skills in lobbying but where not completed.
He also vowed to ensure that those pledges which were made by the president and by him while he was in parliament are fulfilled plus the Lobbying of jobs for the unemployed youths in the constituency.
“I have come ensure that I follow up those programmes which were started by government in my constituency through my lobbying but are now at a standstill. To mention but a few these, include though not limited to the upgrading of Namaingo -Lugala and Lwangosia- Lufudu to Bukaana Roads to gravel (Tarmac) upgrading of 5km in Namaingo town to gravel and the construction of a secondary school in every sub county by government. We had also lobbied for technical institutions plus at least one university and health facilities,” he said.
Who is Mayende Stephen Dede?
Mayende Stephen Dede is a staunch NRM supporter who served in parliament representing the people of Bukooli South as from 201 to 2021.
He is the initiator and owner of the prominent Dede Secondary in Namayingo town who currently lives by example as a leading farmer in Namayingo district.
He so initiated Nabusacco; a prominent SACCO in Namaingo district which has come up with another branch in Lumino trading center in Busia district.
