Excitement is building among Katakwi district councillors who have been offered to travel to China on a tour.
The offer from their Woman Member of Parliament, who is also Vice President Jessica Alupo, is aimed at equipping the councillors with leadership skills as well as exposure to the world. Alupo made the offer last month and asked the councillors to process passports to facilitate their travel.
Last week, the councillors received the passports and are now waiting for the visas and the travel date to the world’s second-largest economy.
“We are very grateful to the Vice President for this golden opportunity to have us travel to China. We shall not return the same,” district chairperson Geoffrey Omolo said.
Katakwi district councillors following proceedings during a seating. Photo by Godfrey Ojore Katakwi district council will become the first in the country to travel for a learning tour to China.
Most district councils travel within East Africa while the majority tour within the country.
“I’m extremely happy about the offer because it will be my first day to sit on a plane. My interest is to learn how Chinese do business amidst their big population,” Magoro sub-county and Magoro town council Kevin Aanyu said.
According to Omolo, the youth of Katakwi are also set to benefit from computer skills training by the Chinese embassy.
“Since the world has moved into the digital era, we are happy that our youth are going to get the training that can impact their lives because one can do business on his computer,” Omolo said.
According to the councillor representing Amusia sub-county, Simon Peter Omer, his interest is in technology and governance.
“China is an advanced country in terms of technology as well as a stable country in terms of economy and good governance. I need to pay a lot of interest to know how they managed to reach that level,” Omer, who said the trip is his first chance to go abroad since he was born.