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{
    "id": 1193470,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1193470/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 195,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Teso South, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mary Emaase",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this important legislative proposal to anchor the NG-CDF into the Constitution. The NG-CDF and its achievements over time across the country cannot be gainsaid. There are vulnerable families in this country with very bright and needy children who have a story to tell today. They have testimonies of how bursaries through the NG-CDF have transformed their lives and that of the society. The impact of these bursaries alone to these needy students is something that we as Members are very proud of. Therefore, I support this legislative proposal. Besides the bursaries, I would dare to say that the NG-CDF is an equalizer on matters development. There are far flung remote areas in this country that would never have seen decent establishments like schools in their regions without the NG-CDF. When you go across our counties and constituencies, some of the best infrastructure is done by the NG-CDF ranging from laboratories, dining halls and even buses in schools. For instance, there are certain schools where students are taught about lakes and oceans in Geography but cannot visualize since they have never been there but because we have bought buses for these schools, they are able to go on school trips to get the exposure. There are schools where, before the NG-CDF, would study Physics and Chemistry through theory because they were not able to undertake practicals but due to the NG-CDF, we pride ourselves because our schools are better equipped with the necessary infrastructure to aid learning. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I want to further attest to the NG-CDF’s contribution to development especially in my constituency. I represent Teso South and we did not have a single college or a tarmac road. We constructed the first one in 2011. Through this Fund I was able to buy land for a teacher’s training college for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as partner with National Government departments to fund and develop these institutions. Today the people of Teso South are beginning to see development and improved businesses. People are becoming landlords because they can put up houses for people to rent and earn an income. Therefore, the NG-CDF is a critical fund and we cannot underestimate it. We must support it to make sure that it is anchored in the Constitution to continue to help and support our country’s development agenda. Speaking of the other funds like the Enterprise Fund and the Economic Stimulus Fund, I must say that this Amendment is very timely, coming at a time when we know that jobs are scarce and our youth are languishing out there unemployed, when the economy is on its on knees and we desperately as a country need to create employers who can create opportunities for the young people. We have graduates in various disciplines who can start various Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and become the employers of tomorrow. We want to support this Amendment which is very timely. These funds including the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NG-AAF) for the Women Representatives are important as we need to empower women, capacity build them and guide them before they can get the empowerment funds to be able to engage in some economic activities to support livelihoods."
}