Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga and Buyende Woman MP Veronica Kadogo (in green) welcome Miss World Vanessa Ponce de Leone and Miss World Africa Quinn Abenakyo to Buyende district health Camp
Patients who turned up for the Buyende district health Camp at Buyende primary School yesterday “forgot” about their sickness for a while due to excitement after seeing the World beauty Queens, the Speaker of parliament and a helicopter.
The one day health camp organized by the district Woman MP Veronica Kadogo in conjunction with the Indian Women Association and Miss Uganda Foundation offered free cervical and breast cancer screening.
The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga challenged the people to regularly go for health check-ups, support girls to stay and complete school and keep off both defilement and teenage pregnancies.
“Girls should not drop out of school because of menstrual hygiene management issues or teenage pregnancy, help them complete school and shape their future. Remember to always go for medical check-ups for disease control,” Kadaga said.
Kadaga urged the Badiope to always respect, support and use their leaders, support government programs and stop politicizing development. “Let us work together, involve those in leadership to lobby for support to supplement government resources but also have priorities,” she added.
The chairperson of the Indian Women Association Ms Suman Venkalesh hailed Kadaga for being a voice and face for the Girl child and pledged to support cancer patients treatment.
“We shall support all patients diagnosed with cancer, make arrangements for their treatment as our commitment to support your MP and Speaker who are very concerned with the lives of women,” Vankalesh pledged.
Beauty Queens Inspire Girls
The Beauty Queens Miss World Vanessa Ponce de Leone and Miss World Africa Quinn Abenakyo said that it is sad to see girls drop out of school, suffer menstrual hygiene management with embarrassment and get pregnant at early ages which factors affect their future and quality of the children they get.
They said because of this concern and experience, they chose to run a campaign of keeping girls in school challenging them to avoid any distractions, remain focused and keep on the challenge for a better future.
Miss World Vanessa Ponce de Leone acknowledges welcome to Buyende Health Camp together with Miss World Africa Quinn Abenakyo and the Indian Women Association chairperson Suman Venkalesh. Photo by SAM CALEB OPIO
Miss World Vanessa Ponce de Leone expressed excitement appreciating the hospitality, beauty and determination of the Busoga people. She had visited Kagulu Cultural Hills East Buyende admiring the cultural site and Century heritage. She observed that the cultural, religious and community sites are splendid tourism sites with rich history and significance.
She said she was honored and humbled to be hosted by the Speaker and Woman MP saying this was an inspiration.
“I am humbled, excited and appreciative of the great hospitality but also touched by the determination of the young girls and health drive.” Vanessa said.
The host Buyende Woman MP Veronica Kadogo commended the beauty Queens for changing the face of the Queens to beauty with service.
Kadogo pointed out that the historic visit, health camp and twin participation in the remote end of the country was a boost to girls’ education. She said the medical camp was to boost health seeking behavior and drum up support for child mothers, girls out of school and fight defilement which was the theme of Quinn Abenakyo during the beauty competition.
