By Tolit Ivan
The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen Caleb Akandwanaho alias Gen Salim Saleh on Tuesday used his thanksgiving ceremony in celebration of his 65th birthday to raise UGX 1Bn to support the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate poverty alleviation projects and to construct a new accommodation facility.
The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu is an indigenous Congregation of Catholis Sisters founded in 1936 in the Archdioces of Gulu in Northern Uganda.
The birthday celebration, organized by friends and family members and held at his residence in Bar-dege-Layibi Division in Gulu City, attracted several dignitaries including former Vice President Edward Ssekandi, Justice Minister Norbert Mao, former Presidential candidate Gen. Henry Tumukunde and the Acholi Paramount chief Rwot David Onen Acana among others.
The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu has been undertaking several projects which include mixed farming that sits on a 180 acre piece of land.
The congregation is also constructing a new accommodation facility at a cost of UGX 1.6Bn.
Gen Saleh who contributed 162 million shillings dedicated his birthday to raising money for the nuns who had sought support in three major areas refurbishment of their dilapidated residences, acquisition of three tractors, and establishment of a food storage facility.
Well-wishers raised over 1 billion shillings in cash and in-kind towards the construction of a new accommodation facility at the convent for the Little sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu. The money raised both in cash and pledges is part of the 1.62 billion shillings budget the nuns had requested.
Other in-kind donations to the nuns included a tractor with all its implements, 20 Friesian cows and more than 4,000 bags of cement.
Sister Grace Achiro, the Head of the Little Sister of Mary Immaculate, thanked General Saleh for his generosity and the love for humanity as well as for accepting to support their initiatives which she says will improve their lives.
In October 2023, the nuns led by their Superior General received a total of 386 iron sheets from the office of the Prime Minister to facilitate the construction of their four-storied residential accommodation with 40 rooms.
There are about 500 nuns under the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate at the Gulu Archdiocese.
Speaking during the thanksgiving ceremony, Gen. Saleh thanked friends for generously contributing funds to support the poverty alleviation project initiated by the congregation and also for the construction of a new residence.
He also hailed Justice Minister Norbert Mao and William Byaruhanga, the Former Attorney General for initiating the fundraising drive which led to the collection of nearly (90) % of the funds needed for the Little Sister’s projects.
Leaders across the sub region and country at large also used the occasion to thank Gen. Saleh for pacifying northern Uganda, the former war ravaged sub region.
General Saleh was also hailed for playing a pivotal role in the economic transformation of northern Uganda.
Salim Saleh was born on January, 14, 1960. The retired Ugandan military officer who has served in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), is a younger brother of President Museveni.
