By Mk newslink.com Reporter
in Bushenyi——
www.mknewslink.com
BUSHENYI; Bushenyi district council has resolved to rename the Bushenyi main stadium to Mary Karooro stadium in honour of the late former minister recognizing her significant contribution to the district, region and a country at large.
The motion moved by councilor Edward Mpabwa, highlighted Karooro’s support for the youth talent through sports particularly during the Ankole Football tournament, the council also appealed to the president to upgrade the stadium to modern standard as a lasting tribute to her legacy.
‘’When Ankole tournament started, honourable Mary Karoro was among others that through their weight to the tournament and also contributed resources as away to support Ankole soccer to compete with other regions and harness the talent of young people, her efforts had started yielding and for those that are following CHAN can see how Ankole boys the likes of Hillary Mukundane from Bushenyi and Ivan Ahimbisibwwe from Isingiro are shining, God knows why she has not lived longer to see the sweet of her dreams coming true,’’ Mr Mpeirwe said.
He added that, ‘’this is the reason why I moved the motion to rename the stadium so that other talents of other young people are promoted. Therefore based on the above I move that in honour of her legacy and the contribution the deceased has made to this region and the nation at large I move the motion that the Bushenyi main stadium be named after deceased and henceforth be named Mary Karooro stadium in her memory’’.
‘’We request His excellence the President of the Republic of Uganda to be pleased and develop the new renamed stadium to a modern one like what was done to Aki Bua stadium in Liira City to keep the memory of great woman alive for the people of Bushenyi and Ankole,’’ Mr Mpeirwe further said.
Mr. Edward Mpabwa, is Kyamuhunga town council councilor and secretary for education, health and community-based services at Bushenyi district local government.
Bushenyi district, Woman Member of parliament said the involvement of Karooro in politics inspired many women to also join politics at different political levels to serve people.
‘’Mary Karoro Okurut was my predecessor. We know that politics was a male dominated environment and yet she was among a few gallant women in this country that dared to lay the foundation on which the rest of us stand today. This was majorly because the way she carried herself and the respect she extended to all those that encountered her through sweat and hard work, boldness, fearlessness and kindness she set stands that can not go unseen therefore am very grateful to the almighty God for according her grace, we thank the government for according her official burial,’’.
Mr Jaffari Bassajabalaba, LC5 chairperson, noted that hon Karooro was a devoted public servant who mentored many to be politicians.
‘’She was our leader, devoted public servant who even mentored some of us to be better politicians and we are very sorry for the family for the loss of a big pillar in that family. She has been guiding us in terms of how we can proceed and was one of the big pillars of NRM in this district and we hope we have lost a big person,’’ Mr Bassjabalaba said.
He added that, ‘As council we have decided that Bushenyi main stadium should be named Mary Karooro stadium because she has done a lot for Bushenyi, and she is a pillar of NRM party’’.
Hon Rapheal Magyezi, Minister of Local Government, commended the district council for giving Karooro a special sitting in which they resolved to name after the district stadium.
‘’Naming that stadium in the names of Mary Karooro Okurut, it’s a nice proposal and development of the stadium it’s a national program. We have to look at the status of the stadium, the other facilities around the accessibility,’’ Hon Magyezi said.