Hon. Derrick Orone Seeks Government Commitment on Apopong Technical School and Cattle Restocking

Parliament, Kampala: Gogonyo County Member of Parliament, Hon. Derrick Orone, has called on the government to explain why Bukedi Region was excluded from the national Cattle Restocking and Rehabilitation Programme and demanded clarity on when Apopong Technical School in Gogonyo Constituency, Pallisa District, will be operationalized.

The legislator raised the concerns during the Prime Minister's Question and Answer Time in Parliament on Thursday evening, saying the people of Bukedi have continued to feel left out of key government interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting socio-economic transformation.

Hon. Orone questioned the government on the criteria used in selecting beneficiary regions under the cattle restocking initiative, noting that Bukedi is predominantly an agricultural region whose residents would significantly benefit from such a programme.

He argued that cattle rearing remains a critical economic activity for many households in Bukedi and that excluding the region from the restocking programme undermines efforts to improve household incomes, food security, and wealth creation.

"The people of Bukedi also deserve to benefit from government programmes intended to uplift communities. We need an explanation as to why our region was left out of the Cattle Restocking and Rehabilitation Programme," Hon. Orone said.

The MP emphasized that government interventions should be equitable and inclusive, ensuring that all regions of the country have equal opportunities to participate in national development programmes.

In a separate matter, Hon. Orone sought a government commitment regarding Apopong Technical School in Gogonyo Constituency, Pallisa District. He asked the Prime Minister to provide a timeline for the establishment and operationalization of the institution, saying the community has waited for a long time to see the project become a reality.

According to the legislator, the technical school is vital in equipping young people with practical skills and enhancing employment opportunities in the constituency and the wider region.

He noted that the government has consistently emphasized the importance of vocational and technical education in addressing youth unemployment and driving industrialization, adding that the establishment of Apopong Technical School would directly contribute to those national objectives.

"The youth of Gogonyo need access to technical and vocational training. We would like to know when Apopong Technical School will be established and become operational so that our young people can benefit from skills development programmes," he said.

Hon. Orone's interventions in Parliament highlight growing concerns among leaders from Bukedi over equitable distribution of government programmes and infrastructure projects.

Residents and leaders in the region have repeatedly called for increased government investment in agriculture, education, and skills development to accelerate socio-economic transformation and create opportunities for the largely youthful population.

The Prime Minister's responses to the issues raised are expected to provide guidance on government's plans regarding the inclusion of Bukedi in the cattle restocking programme and the future of Apopong Technical School, matters that remain of significant interest to the people of Gogonyo Constituency and the entire Bukedi sub-region.