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The leader of the Bugwe Cultural Institution in Uganda’s east, Robert Obara, has urged his subjects to observe and maintain peace during and after this year’s general elections.
He also appealed for unity, saying it is an important ingredient for the development of Bugwe and Uganda at large.
Obara spoke against divisions based on politics, emphasising that while elections come and go, people will continue living together, depending on and relating with one another, with or without polls.
He made the remarks on Friday (January 9) while presiding over the Obwen’engo football tournament final match at Namungodi Primary School in Namungodi town council, Busia district.
Eastern Division FC beat Busiime sub-county FC in a penalty shootout to emerge as the competition’s overall winners. Buteba sub-county and Tiira town council finished third and fourth, respectively.
A delegation of Obwen’engo Bwa Bugwe subjects from the neighbouring Busia county in Kenya were present and watched the entertaining final.
Bugwe Prime Minister Arafat Barasa Egessa said football has helped unite the youths and the soccer fans throughout the district and appealed to them to maintain the same unity and coordination.
He said the cultural institution is committed to developing sports through the education and sports ministry, and appealed to parents to allow their children to participate in sports to nurture their talents.
Egessa commended the office of the Busia resident district commissioner (RDC) for working together with Bugwe Cultural Institution to mobilise residents on development through participating in government development programmes.
Bugwe’s sports minister Edwin Benesa, who is also the deputy resident city commissioner of Nakawa Division in Kampala, said the football tournament was aimed at identifying, promoting and developing talent amongst the youth both in and outside school.
He said that through sports, they have sensitised especially the youth on Bugwe norms and values, as well as the preservation of the institution’s language.
“We want to make this tournament regional next year by inviting teams from the neighbouring districts to come and participate,” said Benesa.