President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to learn from the
Koreans about hard work, discipline and frugality saying these are some
of the qualities that have pushed Korea to be the 10th richest country
in the world.
"Korea is poor- not as rich as Uganda- in terms of
natural resources. It is half the size of Uganda but it is now the 10th
richest country in the world because of their hard work, discipline,
frugality and now compassion," he said.
The President was on Tuesday performing twin
ceremonies of ground breaking of Cardinal Kim Su-hwan Kkottongnae
centre, a home for the HIV/AIDS orphans. He also commissioned the
Kkottongnae Rehabilitation and Training centre for the less privileged
and vulnerable children at Kashasharara sub-county in Nyabushonzi county
Kiruhura district.
The US$ 800,000 (approximately Shs2, 404,800,000)
Kkottongnae complex currently accommodates 52 orphans. However, it
intends to accommodate 2,000 vulnerable children after expansion.
President Museveni also toured the complex and
pledged government support of US$ 100,000 (approximately Shs300 million)
next financial year and a bull dozer for leveling the ground for
expansion.
Mr Museveni commended the missionaries of
Kkottangnae from the Republic of Korea for spreading the spirit of love,
honesty, discipline and hard work adding that these qualities will
serve as an inspiration to the people of Uganda in the development and
transformation of the country.
"You have come to the right place at the right
time. What was lacking in the past was stability and direction. These
are now there, we are struggling with discipline and hard work. So by
your coming here you are going to be good examples to the people of
Uganda," he said.
The Koreans through the Korea International
Cooperation Agency KOICA have also established the Kampiringisa
leadership center to teach local leaders about agricultural technology
and community organization through which villages can be transformed.
The President commended the Kkottangnae
missionaries for their spirit of compassion and for doing charity work
in Uganda, quoting Mathew 25:40.
Korean based Kkotongnae was founded by Fr. John Oh
Woong Jim in September 1976 and is a religious congregation of Catholic
brothers and sisters who have dedicated their lives to serving the less
privileged, the poor, ill and the homeless among others.
The ceremony was graced by the Archbishop of
Mbarara Catholic Diocese His Grace Paul Bakyenga, the Apostolic Nuncio
of the Holy See Archbishop Micheal Blum and the Ambassador of the
Republic of South Korea to Uganda Kim Jong Dae.
The South Korean Ambassador to Uganda Kim Jong Dae
said the project will not only improve the livelihood of vulnerable
children but will also promote the existing good bilateral relationship
between the Republic of Korea and that of Uganda. He said Kkottongnae
supported by KOICA, a development arm of the government of Korea will
cooperate to ensure the success of the project.
The Korean envoy who praised the good weather of
Uganda added that Kkottongnae which means ‘Flower village' in Korean
language, will prove that South Korea and Uganda are very good partners.
He pledged the support of his country to Uganda to achieve its
potential especially the 2040 vision.
The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Michael Blum told
the congregation of the statement made by His Holiness Pope Francis
during his visit to South Korea in August 2014 where he stressed the
work of God's mercy. He said Kkottongnae is now doing exactly that in
Uganda.
The ceremony was attended by MP's from the region and Kiruhura district and religious leaders among others.
- Daily Monitor
- Daily Monitor
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