Independent presidential candidate, John Katumba has decried the Shs 25,000 monthly gratuity disbursed by government to senior citizens, saying it is too little to sustain an individual for a month.
Government pays out Shs 25,000 to the elderly citizens aged 65 years and above under the donor-funded Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE).
Katumba, 24, Uganda's youngest presidential candidate argues that the money is too little. Addressing voters in Mityana and Kassanda districts, Katumba challenged government officials to quit their offices in exchange for the monthly payment of Shs 25,000, which they are paying to the elderly if they think that it's enough.
He explained that it is improper for someone to pay taxes for more than 50 years to a government and end up getting paid only Shs 25,000 once one has clocked 65 years.
He rallied those attached to their political parties to look at issues going on in the country and vote for change, which will see a new Uganda benefiting everyone. He says that he has registered a number of complaints regarding poor health services in almost every district he has been too.
Katumba also lashed out at the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for not doing enough to extend quality education to all Ugandans. He said a serious government would construct a university for every region or district, offering the same quality education like those located in Kampala and Wakiso.
He criticized individuals who thought that he was not serious and called him a comedian when he joined the presidential race, adding that it is the same people who are now using excessive force to block him from reaching out to Ugandans in search for votes.
Katumba is wondering why security would deploy a contingent of police patrols and military operatives to prevent him from campaigning. He said it is not all lost on Ugandans because they can still change the situation with their ballot come January 14, 2021.
Unlike in other parts of the country where Katumba and other presidential candidates were blocked from moving freely, he was allowed to walk freely through Mityana town without police interference. He warned that those who are planning to rig elections would pay a high price.
Source
