A section of leaders, youth, professionals, and political actors from Uganda's Teso sub-region have renewed calls for a unified regional agenda, citing the need for a common development framework to strengthen Teso's bargaining power with the central government. The push is being championed by the Kazi Ni Kazi pressure group, which has outlined priorities for the region as it mobilizes support for General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's 2031 presidential ambitions. This move aims to translate Teso's representation in government into major investments and economic transformation.
Supporters of the initiative argue that despite Teso's representation in senior government positions, the region has not achieved significant investments and economic transformation. They attribute this to the absence of a clearly defined regional development agenda, hindering collective articulation and pursuit of Teso's priorities. Concerns include limited industrialization, inadequate investment, and weak economic activity in urban centers like Soroti City, the region's commercial hub. Proponents believe a coordinated approach can attract investors and create employment opportunities.
The Kazi Ni Kazi pressure group, led by Dan Mulalu, seeks to unite Teso's people around an Agenda for Teso, linking it to mobilization efforts for General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's presidential project. The agenda aims to provide a common platform for articulating development priorities for a future Muhoozi administration. This approach will give the region a unified voice in discussions on development, employment, industrialization, infrastructure, and socio-economic priorities.
A meeting at Sparrow Hotel in Soroti brought together youth, elders, lawyers, journalists, and politicians from across Teso to discuss key issues affecting the region. Participants elected an executive structure to coordinate mobilization activities and advance the region's development priorities. The leadership will mobilize support for General Muhoozi Kainerugaba while using the proposed Agenda for Teso.
For supporters, the central argument is that political mobilization and regional development advocacy should go hand-in-hand, allowing Teso to present clear demands in the 2031 political debate. The initiative now faces the task of translating the proposed agenda into specific priorities to present to government, political leaders, investors, and development partners.
The proposed Agenda for Teso aims to address concerns such as limited industrialization, inadequate investment, and weak economic activity. By uniting behind a common development framework, Teso's people hope to secure major investments and infrastructure projects, similar to those achieved by other regions through sustained advocacy.
The Kazi Ni Kazi pressure group's efforts to mobilize support for General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's 2031 presidential bid are linked to the development of a unified regional agenda for Teso. This agenda will provide a common platform for articulating development priorities and give the region a unified voice in discussions on socio-economic priorities.
Key points
- Teso youth unite behind regional agenda to strengthen bargaining power with central government
- Kazi Ni Kazi pressure group champions unified regional agenda, linking it to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's 2031 presidential bid
- Proposed Agenda for Teso aims to address concerns such as limited industrialization and inadequate investment
