http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54999
The King of Tooro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has revived the
Kingdom’s demand for its property that is in possession of the central
government.
Addressing a closed door cabinet meeting at his palace in Fort Portal on
Wednesday morning, King Oyo directed Steven Kaliba, the Kingdom Premier
to write to the government demanding the return of the property. Oyo
also directed Kaliba to form a team that will negotiate with the
government to return the more than 70 kingdom properties which include
land and buildings.
When kingdoms were abolished in 1966, properties that belonged to the institutions were taken over by the government.
Records from the Kingdom estates department obtained by Uganda Radio
Network show that after the restoration of the Kingdom in 1993, the
government returned only 15 out of the 75 properties to Tooro Kingdom.
Some of the returned properties include the Burahya County headquarters
at Butebe, three buildings in Fort Portal town and pieces of land in
Kichwamba, Bukuku, Karambi and Kisomoro sub counties.
The properties the Kingdom is demanding from the government are located
in Bundibugyo, Kasese, Kyenjojo and Kamwenge districts. Kasese and
Bundibugyo were formerly under Tooro Kingdom until 2010 when Charles
Wesley Mumbere was installed as Rwenzururu King.
In an interview with Uganda Radio Network, the Omuhikirwa Kaliba said
failure by the government to return the property has affected the
kingdom financially. He says that if they are returned, the kingdom can
rent them out and get income to sustain its activities and improve its
financial base.
He also says the King has no funds required to implement some of the
kingdom activities and instead turns to the government and friends of
the Kingdom for support.
//Cue in: “The Kingdom is…
Cue out: …in a financial crisis.”//
According to Kaliba, despite returning some of the Tooro property, the
kingdom hasn’t been able to access them since they are being used by sub
counties, schools and health facilities. He cites Block 4 plot 1 in
Bundibugyo town occupied by Bundibugyo town council and land in Nyahuka
occupied by Nyahuka Primary School. Kaliba says that government should
instead compensate the kingdom.
//Cue in: “Other properties…
Cue out: “…compensate the kingdom.”//
Uganda Radio Network has learnt from Kingdom sources that next month,
there are plans by King Oyo and his cabinet to raise the matter when
they meet President Museveni, who will be touring Kabarole district.
David Kaboyo, a member of the Kingdom Parliament, the Orukurato, says
that the move by the King is good for the kingdom, but is quick to add
that if the assets are returned they should be managed in a transparent
manner and not be sold illegally or grabbed.
Tooro joins other cultural institutions like Buganda and Bunyoro, who
are also demanding a return of their properties from the government.
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Monday, 29 July 2013
Host Families Struggle To Cope With Congolese Refugees
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54888
Families in Bundibugyo district are struggling to cope with hosting Congolese refugees. Statistics by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) show that more than 50,000 refugees have refused to go to the transit camp and are living with host families. Most of the host families are located at Nyahuka and Busaru, 5 kilometers from Kamango town, where fighting took place. Records at the office of the community development show that there are more than 700 refugees in Nyahuka town council who are living with their relatives and friends.
Other refugees are living in Busaru, Bumandi and Busulu. Gerald Bantata is hosting his brother Felix Kabeya, his wife and six children. Bantata says he has to spend more money to feed his family and that of his brother, which has stretched his budget. He says that since he is only engaged in cocoa growing, he is forced to buy food, which is quite expensive. Bantanta says that he has tried in vain to convince his brother to go to the transit camp at Bubukwanga where there is free food or return home since fighting has stopped.
Felix Kabeya says he can’t live in the camp citing the harsh conditions. He also says that he prefers to stay with his brother because it will be easy for him to return home. Kabeya says that if he goes to the camp, he will be relocated to Kyangwali refugee Camp and yet he has to return home and tend his cocoa garden.
//Cue in: “we don’t want to be taken there…
Cue out: “…we plan to go back home.”//
Francis Suza is living in Nyahuka town council with two relatives and their children who fled the war in Kamango town. He says that he is forced to take care of the children, when they fall ill since their parents don’t have the money. Suza, a local businessman says that he has so far spent more than 300,000 shillings to look after his friends. He says that he can’t wait for the fighting to stop so that they can return home. Francis Muhindo, the Nyahuka Sub County Community Development Officer says some of the refugees living with friends often flock the sub county headquarters demanding for food but they are turned away and told to go to the camp, where there is free food.
Charles Bafaki, the senior settlement officer in the Office of the Prime Minister says government will not be responsible, should anything happen to the refugees not in the camp since they aren’t in their records. Bafaki says that the OPM’s office with the help of the UNHCR plans to carry out a head count of the refugees to establish the exact number of refugees living with host families and convince them to either return home or be relocated to the camp, since there is adequate security, food and non food items.
//Cue in: “in the host communities…
Cue out: “expect them to come here.”//
Families in Bundibugyo district are struggling to cope with hosting Congolese refugees. Statistics by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) show that more than 50,000 refugees have refused to go to the transit camp and are living with host families. Most of the host families are located at Nyahuka and Busaru, 5 kilometers from Kamango town, where fighting took place. Records at the office of the community development show that there are more than 700 refugees in Nyahuka town council who are living with their relatives and friends.
Other refugees are living in Busaru, Bumandi and Busulu. Gerald Bantata is hosting his brother Felix Kabeya, his wife and six children. Bantata says he has to spend more money to feed his family and that of his brother, which has stretched his budget. He says that since he is only engaged in cocoa growing, he is forced to buy food, which is quite expensive. Bantanta says that he has tried in vain to convince his brother to go to the transit camp at Bubukwanga where there is free food or return home since fighting has stopped.
Felix Kabeya says he can’t live in the camp citing the harsh conditions. He also says that he prefers to stay with his brother because it will be easy for him to return home. Kabeya says that if he goes to the camp, he will be relocated to Kyangwali refugee Camp and yet he has to return home and tend his cocoa garden.
//Cue in: “we don’t want to be taken there…
Cue out: “…we plan to go back home.”//
Francis Suza is living in Nyahuka town council with two relatives and their children who fled the war in Kamango town. He says that he is forced to take care of the children, when they fall ill since their parents don’t have the money. Suza, a local businessman says that he has so far spent more than 300,000 shillings to look after his friends. He says that he can’t wait for the fighting to stop so that they can return home. Francis Muhindo, the Nyahuka Sub County Community Development Officer says some of the refugees living with friends often flock the sub county headquarters demanding for food but they are turned away and told to go to the camp, where there is free food.
Charles Bafaki, the senior settlement officer in the Office of the Prime Minister says government will not be responsible, should anything happen to the refugees not in the camp since they aren’t in their records. Bafaki says that the OPM’s office with the help of the UNHCR plans to carry out a head count of the refugees to establish the exact number of refugees living with host families and convince them to either return home or be relocated to the camp, since there is adequate security, food and non food items.
//Cue in: “in the host communities…
Cue out: “expect them to come here.”//
Bundibugyo Traders Reap Big From Refugee Crisis
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54887
Business owners in Bundibugyo town are reaping big following the influx of Congolese refugees in the district.
With workers from several national and international agencies camped in the town an engaged in humanitarian work at the Bubukwanga refugee transit centre, hotel and restaurant owners are making brisk business.
Bubukwanga is located just two kilometres from Bundibugyo town.
A Uganda Radio Network reporter in Bundibugyo says most hotels and lodges have been booked.
Hotels such as Vanilla, Blue Sky, Kwata Mpola and others have all been booked for a month. The hotels have also increased the rates for accommodation. At Vanilla, the rates have increased from 45,000 shillings to 55,000 shillings per room per night.
Harriet Kaliisa, a receptionist at Vanilla Hotel, describes it as a special business phase because all the rooms have been fully booked for a month. Kaliisa says that she is excited because she hopes to get a salary increment from the proprietor.
Benjamin Kamya, the manager at Blue Sky says this is the only opportunity that he has to reap big from the refugee crisis because he rarely receives many clients. Kamya, whose hotel has also been fully booked for a month, says he has been forced to hire more staff.
Kamya says the refugee crisis has enabled him reap more money than he has done in the past, since there are many people flocking his restaurant for food and accommodation.
//Cue in: “Business is going…
Cue out: “…increase in income.”//
Small lodges in the town have also increased the costs of accommodation from 15,000 to 20,000 shillings a night and are also fully booked.
Restaurants in the town have also seen an increase in clients and the prices of food have shot up. Restaurants that were previously selling a plate of food at 3,000 shillings have increased by 2,000 shillings.
Bars and other hangouts in the town have also made brisk business as several foreigners flock the areas to have a drink.
With the presence of foreign humanitarian workers in the town, the police have also beefed up security in the town. Several officers can often be seen patrolling the streets at night.
Dennis Namuhoza, the Bundibugyo District Police Commander, says that police officers have also been deployed at the hotels where some humanitarian workers are staying to avoid theft of their properties like laptops and mobile phones.
Up to 60, 000 refugees are in Bundibugyo after being displaced by fighting in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Business owners in Bundibugyo town are reaping big following the influx of Congolese refugees in the district.
With workers from several national and international agencies camped in the town an engaged in humanitarian work at the Bubukwanga refugee transit centre, hotel and restaurant owners are making brisk business.
Bubukwanga is located just two kilometres from Bundibugyo town.
A Uganda Radio Network reporter in Bundibugyo says most hotels and lodges have been booked.
Hotels such as Vanilla, Blue Sky, Kwata Mpola and others have all been booked for a month. The hotels have also increased the rates for accommodation. At Vanilla, the rates have increased from 45,000 shillings to 55,000 shillings per room per night.
Harriet Kaliisa, a receptionist at Vanilla Hotel, describes it as a special business phase because all the rooms have been fully booked for a month. Kaliisa says that she is excited because she hopes to get a salary increment from the proprietor.
Benjamin Kamya, the manager at Blue Sky says this is the only opportunity that he has to reap big from the refugee crisis because he rarely receives many clients. Kamya, whose hotel has also been fully booked for a month, says he has been forced to hire more staff.
Kamya says the refugee crisis has enabled him reap more money than he has done in the past, since there are many people flocking his restaurant for food and accommodation.
//Cue in: “Business is going…
Cue out: “…increase in income.”//
Small lodges in the town have also increased the costs of accommodation from 15,000 to 20,000 shillings a night and are also fully booked.
Restaurants in the town have also seen an increase in clients and the prices of food have shot up. Restaurants that were previously selling a plate of food at 3,000 shillings have increased by 2,000 shillings.
Bars and other hangouts in the town have also made brisk business as several foreigners flock the areas to have a drink.
With the presence of foreign humanitarian workers in the town, the police have also beefed up security in the town. Several officers can often be seen patrolling the streets at night.
Dennis Namuhoza, the Bundibugyo District Police Commander, says that police officers have also been deployed at the hotels where some humanitarian workers are staying to avoid theft of their properties like laptops and mobile phones.
Up to 60, 000 refugees are in Bundibugyo after being displaced by fighting in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bundibugyo Passes Bye-law On Food Security In Homes
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54921
Bundibugyo district council has passed a bye-law compelling all farmers in the district to plant food crops and not focus only on cocoa growing.
Farmers in the district have abandoned growing food crops on their gardens and concentrated on Cocoa, which is the main income earner in the district. This has left some families with no food to feed on, causing shortage of food in homes.
The shortage of food in families forces communities to purchase food from Kabarole, Kasese districts and some parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the bye-law, farmers will have to plant food crops for home consumption, besides cocoa and vanilla on their gardens or else they face a jail term of three months, pay a fine of 30,000 shillings or both.
The Bundibugyo District Agricultural Officer, Martin Mwesige, who drafted the bye-law, says that the district has the potential to grow nutritious food crops like bananas, cassava, beans and maize, but families dedicate large chunks of land to growing cocoa. Mwesige says that in Busaru and Harugale Sub Counties, there is no single food crop grown because priority is given to cocoa and vanilla.
Asked how the district will enforce the bye-law, Mwesige says that agricultural department will rely on extension workers and sub county NAADS coordinators to ensure that farmers comply.
//Cue in: “Food from Eastern Congo…
Cue out: …to grow food.”//
However some farmers have mixed reactions to the bye-law that has been passed, with some saying that they will not abide to it.
Beatrice Sabiiti, a farmer in Bubukwanga, says farmers should be left to grow crops of their choice. Sabiiti says she is interested in growing cocoa because there is market and when sold, she can afford to take her children to good schools.
Moses Suza, the chairperson of Bundibugyo farmers association, welcomes the bye-law, saying it’s long overdue. Suza says that in the past farmers have been encouraged to grow food crops, since cocoa is a seasonal crop.
He says that some families starve when the cocoa season ends, because they haven’t grown other crops.
//Cue in: “On your land…
Cue out: “…children grow healthy.”//
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report indicating that at least 45% of children below the age of 5 years in Bundibugyo district suffer from chronic malnutrition. Last year, a research carried out by the Ruwenzori Think Tank on Food security indicated that Bundibugyo district has the highest number of children below 5 years with stunted growth in the Ruwenzori region.
Bundibugyo district council has passed a bye-law compelling all farmers in the district to plant food crops and not focus only on cocoa growing.
Farmers in the district have abandoned growing food crops on their gardens and concentrated on Cocoa, which is the main income earner in the district. This has left some families with no food to feed on, causing shortage of food in homes.
The shortage of food in families forces communities to purchase food from Kabarole, Kasese districts and some parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the bye-law, farmers will have to plant food crops for home consumption, besides cocoa and vanilla on their gardens or else they face a jail term of three months, pay a fine of 30,000 shillings or both.
The Bundibugyo District Agricultural Officer, Martin Mwesige, who drafted the bye-law, says that the district has the potential to grow nutritious food crops like bananas, cassava, beans and maize, but families dedicate large chunks of land to growing cocoa. Mwesige says that in Busaru and Harugale Sub Counties, there is no single food crop grown because priority is given to cocoa and vanilla.
Asked how the district will enforce the bye-law, Mwesige says that agricultural department will rely on extension workers and sub county NAADS coordinators to ensure that farmers comply.
//Cue in: “Food from Eastern Congo…
Cue out: …to grow food.”//
However some farmers have mixed reactions to the bye-law that has been passed, with some saying that they will not abide to it.
Beatrice Sabiiti, a farmer in Bubukwanga, says farmers should be left to grow crops of their choice. Sabiiti says she is interested in growing cocoa because there is market and when sold, she can afford to take her children to good schools.
Moses Suza, the chairperson of Bundibugyo farmers association, welcomes the bye-law, saying it’s long overdue. Suza says that in the past farmers have been encouraged to grow food crops, since cocoa is a seasonal crop.
He says that some families starve when the cocoa season ends, because they haven’t grown other crops.
//Cue in: “On your land…
Cue out: “…children grow healthy.”//
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report indicating that at least 45% of children below the age of 5 years in Bundibugyo district suffer from chronic malnutrition. Last year, a research carried out by the Ruwenzori Think Tank on Food security indicated that Bundibugyo district has the highest number of children below 5 years with stunted growth in the Ruwenzori region.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Psychosocial Support For Congolese Children In Bundibugyo
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54878
More than 1,000 children who were displaced by fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are undergoing psychosocial support to help them cope with the difficulties they are facing.
Under the Children Facility Spaces (CFS), the children engage in several activities aimed at keeping them occupied amidst the unfamiliar environment they find themselves in.
When Uganda Radio Network visited the CFS located within the Bubukwanga transit camp in Bundibugyo district on Friday, there were several children aged between 3 and 17 years. They were engaged in activities like singing, dancing, playing football and being told stories by staff from several humanitarian organizations. Some of the children were also being counseled. The CFS is being run by Save the Children and World Vision.
Every morning, the children are taken to the centre by their parents. The facility which is fenced off from the main transit camp is restricted to only children. In the facility, there is water, toilet facilities and playing toys for the younger children. The children are also given clothes, food and medical care.
Ronald Matanda, the World Vision Programme Officer, says that through the CFS, the children are being protected from abuse and harmful practices. Matanda also says that when the children are put together, they interact, play and forget the problems they are facing as refugees.
Matanda says that in some cases, when there are no activities especially for the young girls, they can easily fall prey to defilers or be employed as housemaids. He says the space will remain until the refugee crisis stabilizes.
//Cue in: “Children are protected…
Cue out:…are going through.”//
Joyce Mbambu, one of the counsellors at the children facility, says since last week she has counselled more than 200 children who fled the fighting with their parents. Mbambu says girls are also sensitized about the dangers of early pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
According to Mbambu, they plan to introduce special sessions for women refugees and sensitise them on issues of reproductive health HIV/AIDS and Human rights.
She however says that there is still a challenge of language barrier since some of the children can’t understand the local language. Mbambu says they are sometimes forced to use the services of police officers who speak Kiswahili, which is mostly spoken and understood by the children.
Felix Nzinto, aged 14, says he is happy to interact with many children he had never met before. He however says that he is eager to return home and continue with his education.
Speaking through an interpreter, Joan Nzanta, a mother of five, says that she is happy that her children are kept occupied by the activities at the space, which enables her to return to her home 10 kilometers away or search for any income generating activity in Bundibugyo.
At least 16,000 Congolese refugees are at Bubukwanga transit camp after fleeing fighting between government forces and rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
More than 1,000 children who were displaced by fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are undergoing psychosocial support to help them cope with the difficulties they are facing.
Under the Children Facility Spaces (CFS), the children engage in several activities aimed at keeping them occupied amidst the unfamiliar environment they find themselves in.
When Uganda Radio Network visited the CFS located within the Bubukwanga transit camp in Bundibugyo district on Friday, there were several children aged between 3 and 17 years. They were engaged in activities like singing, dancing, playing football and being told stories by staff from several humanitarian organizations. Some of the children were also being counseled. The CFS is being run by Save the Children and World Vision.
Every morning, the children are taken to the centre by their parents. The facility which is fenced off from the main transit camp is restricted to only children. In the facility, there is water, toilet facilities and playing toys for the younger children. The children are also given clothes, food and medical care.
Ronald Matanda, the World Vision Programme Officer, says that through the CFS, the children are being protected from abuse and harmful practices. Matanda also says that when the children are put together, they interact, play and forget the problems they are facing as refugees.
Matanda says that in some cases, when there are no activities especially for the young girls, they can easily fall prey to defilers or be employed as housemaids. He says the space will remain until the refugee crisis stabilizes.
//Cue in: “Children are protected…
Cue out:…are going through.”//
Joyce Mbambu, one of the counsellors at the children facility, says since last week she has counselled more than 200 children who fled the fighting with their parents. Mbambu says girls are also sensitized about the dangers of early pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
According to Mbambu, they plan to introduce special sessions for women refugees and sensitise them on issues of reproductive health HIV/AIDS and Human rights.
She however says that there is still a challenge of language barrier since some of the children can’t understand the local language. Mbambu says they are sometimes forced to use the services of police officers who speak Kiswahili, which is mostly spoken and understood by the children.
Felix Nzinto, aged 14, says he is happy to interact with many children he had never met before. He however says that he is eager to return home and continue with his education.
Speaking through an interpreter, Joan Nzanta, a mother of five, says that she is happy that her children are kept occupied by the activities at the space, which enables her to return to her home 10 kilometers away or search for any income generating activity in Bundibugyo.
At least 16,000 Congolese refugees are at Bubukwanga transit camp after fleeing fighting between government forces and rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Friday, 26 July 2013
Prisons Land In Bundibugyo To Accomodate Refugees
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54873
Part of Bubukwanga Prisons land in Bundibugyo district has been given out to accommodate the increasing number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For two weeks, the refugees have been camped at the Bubukwanga Sub County headquarters, five kilometers from Bundibugyo town. However, as their numbers continue to increase, the government has been forced to use part of the prisons land to accommodate them.
When a Uganda Radio Network reporter visited the camp on Friday, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers and workers from several humanitarian agencies were putting up makeshift structures on the five acres of the prison land, just 300 meters from the Bubukwanga transit camp.
Charles Bafaki, the Senior Settlement Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, told Uganda Radio Network that they were forced to construct more structures because the transit camp can’t accommodate more refugees. He also says the new structures will be occupied by the refugees who continue to enter the district and those who failed to get accommodated in the transit camp.
According to Bafaki, there are currently 17,650 refugees in the transit camp, but they expect the number to increase in the coming days.
//Cue in: “The space…
Cue out: …people to come.”//
Bafaki also says since they expect more refugees in the district, more than 53 tons of food and non food items like clothes have been put aside to cater for the new refugees.
Uganda Radio Network couldn’t get a comment from the Officer in-charge Bubukwanga Prisons, Anthony Opio, who was reportedly attending a meeting with officials from the Prime Minister’s office over the matter.
The occupied land was being used by the prisons to plant maize on a commercial scale, which eases feeding of the prisoners.
Despite the high number of refugees, those in the transit camp can now afford to have three meals a day, unlike in the past weeks when they were having only one or two meals a day. Steven Kamara, the camp commandant, says more than 45 tons of food was on Wednesday delivered to the camp.
Kamara however says some of the challenges being faced include refugees moving freely out of the camp to Bubukwanga trading centre and Bundibugyo town. He says the settlement department has few workers deployed at the camp to monitor the movement of the refugees.
Humanitarian agencies say up to 60,000 people have come to Bundibugyo after fleeing fighting between the DRC government forces and rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Part of Bubukwanga Prisons land in Bundibugyo district has been given out to accommodate the increasing number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For two weeks, the refugees have been camped at the Bubukwanga Sub County headquarters, five kilometers from Bundibugyo town. However, as their numbers continue to increase, the government has been forced to use part of the prisons land to accommodate them.
When a Uganda Radio Network reporter visited the camp on Friday, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers and workers from several humanitarian agencies were putting up makeshift structures on the five acres of the prison land, just 300 meters from the Bubukwanga transit camp.
Charles Bafaki, the Senior Settlement Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, told Uganda Radio Network that they were forced to construct more structures because the transit camp can’t accommodate more refugees. He also says the new structures will be occupied by the refugees who continue to enter the district and those who failed to get accommodated in the transit camp.
According to Bafaki, there are currently 17,650 refugees in the transit camp, but they expect the number to increase in the coming days.
//Cue in: “The space…
Cue out: …people to come.”//
Bafaki also says since they expect more refugees in the district, more than 53 tons of food and non food items like clothes have been put aside to cater for the new refugees.
Uganda Radio Network couldn’t get a comment from the Officer in-charge Bubukwanga Prisons, Anthony Opio, who was reportedly attending a meeting with officials from the Prime Minister’s office over the matter.
The occupied land was being used by the prisons to plant maize on a commercial scale, which eases feeding of the prisoners.
Despite the high number of refugees, those in the transit camp can now afford to have three meals a day, unlike in the past weeks when they were having only one or two meals a day. Steven Kamara, the camp commandant, says more than 45 tons of food was on Wednesday delivered to the camp.
Kamara however says some of the challenges being faced include refugees moving freely out of the camp to Bubukwanga trading centre and Bundibugyo town. He says the settlement department has few workers deployed at the camp to monitor the movement of the refugees.
Humanitarian agencies say up to 60,000 people have come to Bundibugyo after fleeing fighting between the DRC government forces and rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Farmers Demand Irrigation Techniques To Fight Dry Spell
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=54714
Farmers in Kabarole district are demanding for irrigation techniques to help them cope with the dry spell that is affecting their crops.
Rice and Maize farmers in Rwimi Sub County particularly small-scale farmers depend on rain as a source of water for their crops. With the prolonged dry spell, they have continued to lose their crops, increasing fears of famine. The sub county is surrounded by three small rivers, but the farmers are not using them for irrigation. The rivers include Rwimi, Nyamwamba and Ntabgoba.
During the dry season, several farmers have lost their crops and are left with nothing to sell and consume.
Reste Baguma, a maize farmer in Rwimi town council, says that with the water sources amidst them, it is a shame that farmers can lose crops and yet they can draw water from the rivers, for irrigation.
Baguma says that he acquired a loan of five million shillings to engage in maize production, but she made loses when her two acre rice field dried up.
She says that River Rwimi passes close to several rice and maize fields, but the farmers lack the techniques of irrigating their produce.
//Cue in: “this dry spell…
Cue out: “…we don’t have the means.”//
Margaret Kansiime, a maize farmer in Rwimi town council, says that some of the farmers depend on rain water to grow their crops, which is uncertain, because some times, the weather changes and farmers face difficulties accessing water sources.
Kansiime also harvests rainwater at her house, but the water isn’t enough to irrigate her four acres of rice fields.
Moses Irumba, the chairperson Rwimi farmers Association, says that farmers are now being encouraged to grow drought resistant crops, in the absence of irrigation equipments. He also says that the government and the district agricultural depaertment should senstize farmers on how to irrigate their garderns.
//Cue in: “the farmers…”
Cue out “…resistant crops.”//
Amos Mugume, the District Agricultural officer Kabarole, says that since the use of irrigation is complicated and there are no staff to teach the farmers, they are encouraging farmers to engage in rain water harvesting.
According to the 2012 Least Developed Countries report produced by the U.N.’s Conference on Trade and Development, lack of water has increasingly led to a drop in food production in countries like Uganda.
Although Uganda is gifted by lakes, rivers and swamps, where water for irrigation can be tapped, it is still ranked among the countries with the least irrigation coverage in Africa.
Farmers in Kabarole district are demanding for irrigation techniques to help them cope with the dry spell that is affecting their crops.
Rice and Maize farmers in Rwimi Sub County particularly small-scale farmers depend on rain as a source of water for their crops. With the prolonged dry spell, they have continued to lose their crops, increasing fears of famine. The sub county is surrounded by three small rivers, but the farmers are not using them for irrigation. The rivers include Rwimi, Nyamwamba and Ntabgoba.
During the dry season, several farmers have lost their crops and are left with nothing to sell and consume.
Reste Baguma, a maize farmer in Rwimi town council, says that with the water sources amidst them, it is a shame that farmers can lose crops and yet they can draw water from the rivers, for irrigation.
Baguma says that he acquired a loan of five million shillings to engage in maize production, but she made loses when her two acre rice field dried up.
She says that River Rwimi passes close to several rice and maize fields, but the farmers lack the techniques of irrigating their produce.
//Cue in: “this dry spell…
Cue out: “…we don’t have the means.”//
Margaret Kansiime, a maize farmer in Rwimi town council, says that some of the farmers depend on rain water to grow their crops, which is uncertain, because some times, the weather changes and farmers face difficulties accessing water sources.
Kansiime also harvests rainwater at her house, but the water isn’t enough to irrigate her four acres of rice fields.
Moses Irumba, the chairperson Rwimi farmers Association, says that farmers are now being encouraged to grow drought resistant crops, in the absence of irrigation equipments. He also says that the government and the district agricultural depaertment should senstize farmers on how to irrigate their garderns.
//Cue in: “the farmers…”
Cue out “…resistant crops.”//
Amos Mugume, the District Agricultural officer Kabarole, says that since the use of irrigation is complicated and there are no staff to teach the farmers, they are encouraging farmers to engage in rain water harvesting.
According to the 2012 Least Developed Countries report produced by the U.N.’s Conference on Trade and Development, lack of water has increasingly led to a drop in food production in countries like Uganda.
Although Uganda is gifted by lakes, rivers and swamps, where water for irrigation can be tapped, it is still ranked among the countries with the least irrigation coverage in Africa.
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