Hoima District Referees SACCO suffers financial distress as a result of Covid-19

HOIMA – The mandatory Covid-19 lockdown has finally taken its toll on referees as games and sports resumed under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Last week, Hoima District Referees Saving and Credit Cooperative Society’s (SACCO), Board of Directors convened a meeting and made several resolutions to save the SACCO from distressing financial challenges.

Speaking to theCooperator, the referees SACCO Board Chairman, Patrick Kunihira explained that the board meeting agreed that the SACCO suspends the giving out of new loans to the members.

He added that during this period, the SACCO will only give members their savings. Members will be allowed to get half of their savings to ensure that the SACCO continues to survive.

He further added that the board also agreed to reduce on the expenditures which the SACCO office has been incurring such as allowances.

Kunihira explained that during the meeting they also resolved to cut the salaries of their workers and allowed workers to work in shifts.

He also said that some members are failing to save or pay back loans largely due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown.

“You know SACCOs survive on the savings of members but because of the Covid-19 lockdown, our members are no longer saving and those who took the loans are not paying back and such challenges are affecting our SACCO,” he said adding that they have hope that the measures put in place will save the SACCO from facing more financial challenges.

He challenged members who are still earning, something in this period to continue saving and appealed to those members who took the loans to try and pay back the loans to secure their SACCO.

Francis Bagonza, Chairman Investments said that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected several investment plans. He noted that the SACCO had a plan of establishing a depot and to have a means of transport but all these plans have been frustrated by Covid-19 because the SACCO is not making money as they anticipated.

He added that the SACCO had started a Sports club bar but unfortunately this business shut down following the closure of bars by the president to reduce the rates of Covid-19 infections.

However, Bagonza said that before the situation worsened, the SACCO had invested in tree planting projects adding that the SACCO currently has five acres of titled land with Eucalyptus trees.

Philip Tibaigana, the SACCO Manager expressed dismay that the SACCO applied for a loan of Shs 50 millions from the Microfinance Support Center (MSC) to boost them but their request was not honoured despite having fulfilled the requirements.

https://thecooperator.news/only-19-of-the-72-emyooga-saccos-have-received-funds-in-hoima-district/

In the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was held early April 2021, the SACCO which started in 2015 had registered 112 members and given out Shs 279m in loans.

The SACCO had Shs 330 million in savings and Shs 22 million in shares.

Derrick Matsiko, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Microfinance Support Center, Bunyoro region said, that several organizations including SACCOs are facing financial distress due to the Covid-19 lock down.

He says that, it is high time SACCO leaders ensured drastic measures to avoid the collapse of their organizations; adding that management thought it wise that Hoima district referees put in place measures of saving their SACCO from facing further financial challenges.

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Newcastle disease outbreak confirmed in Amuru district

AMURU – Amuru district veterinary department has confirmed Newcastle poultry disease outbreak.

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of birds caused by a para-myxo virus.

Birds affected by this disease are fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, pheasants, partridges, guinea fowl and other wild and captive birds, including ratites such as ostriches, emus and rheas.

The symptoms of Newcastle disease include; loss of appetite, coughing, gasping, nasal discharge, watery eyes, bright green diarrhoea and nervous signs such as paralysis and convulsions among others.

The poultry disease was first registered in Lagak village before spreading to Oguru Kal and Labika villages in Pabo Town Council, Amuru district.

It has reportedly killed more than 400 birds in the three villages of Pabo Town Council since it was first recorded in August this year.

Bosco Oloya says, he lost 21 of his chicken to the viral disease while his Primary Four daughter lost 9 of her birds.

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“I lost 21, and my daughter lost 9 birds. My daughter had hopes that the money from the sale of the birds would help her buy scholastic materials when schools finally resumes,” Oloya said.

According to Oloya, they only have 3 birds left in their communal compound of four different families.

Cosmas Apuke, a resident of Labika village says, he lost more than 20 of his birds to the disease. He says, he tried local herbs as well as vaccines from veterinary shops within Pabo Town Council but it did not save his birds.

Francis Kidega, another farmer who also lost more than 20 birds to the disease appeals to the district authorities to help them procure the vaccines and also train them on how to administer the vaccines on their birds.

According to Kidega, many of them are struggling financially and also lack basic knowledge on administering the vaccines on their birds.

“If only the district could come to our rescue and give us some dozes of the vaccines and also train us how to administer them; it would be great since most of the veterinary doctors we have around will want to charge us highly because they know we are desperate to keep our birds alive,” Kidega appeals.

Bartolomeo Okwonga, Amuru District Veterinary Officer, confirmed the viral disease outbreak to our reporter in an interview on Tuesday.

He says they have currently launched a sensitization drive to ensure farmers vaccinate their birds since the Newcastle disease vaccines are locally available.

“We are telling our farmers to vaccinate their birds against the viral disease using the Newcastle disease vaccines which are locally available,” Okwonga says.

According to Okwonga, they are using both the sub-county and private veterinary doctors to fully participate in the vaccination exercise to fight the outbreak of the poultry disease.

This is the first time Newcastle disease is being reported in Pabo Town Council in a period of 10 years. The last time the outbreak of the poultry disease was reported, it claimed over 609 birds according to locals in the area.

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Muslim butchers lay down tools as council fails to approve slaughter fees

GULU – The Muslim community in Gulu City have laid down their tools for slaughtering animals at the different abattoirs in the city as authorities fail to approve new slaughter fees.

The crisis started a week ago, with a petition to the Gulu City Council Authorities and eventually turned to a protest on Tuesday as the Halal Secretaries (the butchers) abandoned the abattoir.

However, Geoffrey Otum, the Chairperson Gulu Main Abattoir has ordered the public to slaughter the animals to avoid paralysis of meat supply in the City.

The Acholi district muslim leader, Sheik Musa Khalil in an interview with theCooperator noted that the practice contravenes the muslim doctrine on eating of meat.

Khalil ordered the Muslim community to abolish eating of meat in public places, like hotels and restaurants until the situation is addressed.

In a petition to the Gulu City Council Authorities, authored August 23rd., 2021, the Muslim community had announced withdrawal of their members from slaughtering animals.

The group demands that Council must increase the slaughter fee from its current Shs 500 which was approved by the council 20 years ago to Shs 5,000 for each animal.

“The council has turned a deaf ear to our complaints and we have resolved to withdraw from slaughtering until the new fee is approved,” Khalil told theCooperator on Tuesday in an interview.

He further explained that the slaughter fee is part of the funds to support monitoring and inspection of all the abattoirs across Acholi sub-region.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Supreme Council also requires an annual fee of 35,000 from halal secretaries (slaughter officers) for licensing.

https://thecooperator.news/amuru-women-petition-district-chairman-over-illegal-sale-of-amuru-hot-springs/

Patrick Oola Lumumba, the Mayor Bardege-Layibi division concedes that the council has received several complaints from the group but is yet to convene a meeting to resolve the matter.

“It’s true that the current slaughter fee was approved in 1992 and we have agreed to increase it to Shs 5,000 which will be approved in the next Council meeting,” Lumumba explained.

He further revealed that the abattoir generates Shs 14 million to the Council from revenue collection with Shs 30,000 levied on each of the cows slaughtered.

“We have proposed to give a tender to the market association which is equally subject for the approval by Council in the next sitting,” Lumumba further explained.

However, he did not give clarity on the next date of the Council meeting but noted that the matter needs an urgent response that may call for an emergency Council meeting.

Khalil led a delegation on Tuesday afternoon to the office of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for an emergency security meeting following the protest.

The meeting failed to find a mutual consensus to end the strike and the next meeting is scheduled for Monday next week as the strike continues.

Gulu City Council Mayor, Alfred Okwonga and the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Denis Odwong Odongpiny have called for calm as dialogue continues.

“We don’t expect this tension to take on a religious dimension to destabilize peace and security in the region when we can handle it through dialogue and mediation,” Odongpiny warned.

According to Sheik Ismail Alii Omona, the Chairperson Halal Secretaries, about 60 animals that include cows and goats are slaughtered daily in the five abattoirs within Gulu City.

The abattoirs include Gulu Main at Layibi, Bungatira, Unyama, Lacor and Obiya Highland, where animals were slaughtered on Tuesday as Muslims turned away.

When contacted, Kennedy Odong, the Chairperson Gulu Livestock Association says he was in Karamoja but urged the Council for an urgent response.

The Ministry of Local Government, Trade and Animal Industry jointly gave power to Muslims to slaughter animals in public places but its legal implications is yet remained mystery.

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Governance row over Kabushaho Seed School before construction is complete

BUSHENYI – Residents and stakeholders in Bumbaire sub-county, Igara East, Bushenyi district are in a heated disagreement over the governance of the newly obtained Kabushaho Seed School project even before construction is complete.

The stakeholders are disagreeing over what they call illegal appointment of the members of the Board of Governors (BOG) and teachers at the Church of Uganda, West Ankole diocese founded school.

This comes at a time when the government has revamped the seed school by handing over new classroom blocks, a science laboratory and modern toilets worth Shs 2 billion.

This is part of the campaign by the government to improve the quality of education in seed schools since the beginning of the year 2020.

Similar projects were extended to districts of Buhweju, Sheema, Rubirizi and Mbarara among others that have benefited from the school program.

The disagreements have raged on with the most recent development being a petition written to the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev Johnson Twinomujuni by stakeholders, who are against the proposed appointment of any of the former board members on the new board.

The charged group has also cited loopholes in staff appointments, calling for action from higher authorities.

According to the petition seen by theCooperator, the petitioners hold that the six-member board comprises of individuals whose integrity does not measure up to the required standard and should therefore be barred from being appointed to manage the school.

“These individuals lack the requisite integrity and engaged in unethical conduct regarding the affairs of Kabushaho Seed Secondary School when they were board members before the government took over the school as a seed school and the same unethical behaviour continued during the selection of the teaching and non-teaching staff,” the petition dated 18th August 2021 reads in part.

The petitioners accuse the outgoing acting headteacher, Mr Edison Tugume of submitting his name for appointment when he is on the payroll of another government school, Karungu Seed Secondary School in Buhweju district.

Our investigative desk understands that the stakeholders have previously complained to the Ministry of Education and Sports about the selection of teaching and non-teaching staffs at the school.

They have also copied Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the Anti-Corruption Unit asking her to investigate cases of corruption and abuse of office at the school.

According to Mr. David Kakama, the Bumbaire sub-county councillor and chairperson of Education and Social Services Committee, Bushenyi district, a committee from the district carried out investigations and found that most of the applicants submitted to the ministry for interviews and later appointments were relatives of the headteacher.

We could, however, not verify the authenticity of this allegation.

“Some of the staff members are his siblings while others are wives to the siblings. The district committee even visited the school to make more investigations and the headteacher himself admitted that they were his relatives, but said they had initially been at the school,” said Mr Kakama.

“The appointment of these people from the previous board contravenes the law because they have served beyond the recommended time. They should have served three years and left for others to do the work. Also, that very board was taken to court because it made appointments when it’s time had expired already. So, it is illegal having them come back to work. The government and the diocese, which is the foundation body that even provided land for the school to be built, should in the public interest pave way for selection of new members,” Mr. Kakama said.

When contacted, Mr Edison noted that the complainants have other hidden motives aimed at tarnishing his name and that of the school.

https://thecooperator.news/schools-advised-to-join-cooperative-health-insurance-schemes/

On staff recruitment, Mr Tugume said that the recruitment exercise was guided by the policy.

“We followed the recruitment policy which required that we appoint staff that have been on the school. Besides that, we have not had any parent or teacher complaining. Those individuals are just tarnishing our name,” he explained.

Call for action

Given the flow of events at Kabushaho, the stakeholders want the outgoing board replaced with other people who will serve interests of the school and community, not “championing their own” individual interests.

“Instead of having people who want to front their interests, why doesn’t the church or diocese nominate other members who have the school at heart without having to take bribes. We have good people who can come in and do the work effectively. That board should be replaced in public interest,” Mr Kakama noted.

Rev Bernard Mushabe, the Education Secretary, West Ankole Diocese, who said he was yet to know about the petition, treated the matter as unfortunate saying that they thought the school was progressing well.

“I am getting the news of the petition from you because they did not give me a copy. It would be better for me to first get enough information and give a comment. But it would be unfortunate that after we have obtained such a benefit, there are some people complaining. In the beginning, the Kabushaho issue had many people with different interests, who we thought were good,” he said.

Background

Located in Kabushaho cell, Bumbaire sub-county, Bushenyi district, Kabushaho Seed Secondary School was founded as a pure girls’ school by West Ankole Diocese in 1985. It suffered the politics of the time and collapsed, but got a provisional license to run as a community school in 2010.

In 2017, after the government of Uganda took over the school and turned it into a government seed school in the area, West Ankole Diocese, which was also the lawful proprietor of the land offered approximately five acres for construction of Shs 2.3 billion structures comprising of two class room blocks, ICT block, administration block, library, science laboratory, three staff houses, and a playground.

It was agreed through the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) that the government of Uganda shall be responsible for all the administrative roles of the school and it shall be managed and run-in accordance with the laws of Uganda regarding government schools.

The school has an enrolment of 302 students and 25 teaching and non- teaching staff.

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Chiefs receive 11 new motorcycles worth Shs 52m to mobilize subjects for development

HOIMA – The Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom, Dr Solomon Iguru, has procured 11 brand new motorcycles to his county chiefs in an effort to mobilize the kingdom subjects to engage in development.

According to the Kingdom Finance Minister, Owagonza Robert, the UG Boss motorcycles and helmets valued at Shs 52 million were procured under the office of the Kingdom Prime Minister.

He noted that the plans to procure the motorcycles were initiated after realizing that the kingdom chiefs were not performing their duties as expected due to lack of transport.

“Though most of them have passion for their work, they have been lacking means of transport, some have bicycles, and others do not have and this has been making their work difficult,” he explained.

He added that the motorcycles will remain kingdom property and challenged the chiefs to use the motorcycles in a responsible manner.

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“They will use these motorcycles as long as they are still in office, meaning that a motorcycle should be returned to the kingdom office in case a chief dies or ceases to be a chief,” said Owagonza.

Speaking during the commissioning of the motorcycles at the Kingdom administration office in Hoima City, Apollo John Rwamparo, the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism said that the motorcycles are meant to enable the Chiefs reach the subjects in their respective areas to advise and mobilize them on the kingdom agenda in regards to development.

He says that they expect the chiefs to mobilize the kingdom subjects on issues of food security, environmental protection and issues of wealth creation.

He noted that the kingdom is at risk of facing food insecurity because most of the farmers in the kingdom are engaging in sugarcane and tobacco farming.

“We have to use ancient and modern initiatives to address issues of food insecurity through food storage and engaging in farming; as a kingdom, we discourage tobacco growing because it is one of the causes of food insecurity, so these chiefs have a responsibility of taking another message which will give our people another alternative crop,” said Rwamparo.

He added that they also expect the chiefs to use the motorcycles to reach the community and mobilize them to engage in income generating activities such as coffee production, poultry and piggery among others to improve and stabilize their household incomes.

“One of the kingdom’s strategic plans is to increase household incomes, and increasing household incomes entails a lot of things such as production, tourism, social services and skilling; so, we need the Chiefs to help us on such issues,” added Rwamparo.

While delivering the motorcycles, the Kingdom Prime Minister, Andrew Byakutaga appreciated the chiefs for their services they have rendered and challenged them to actively participate in the implementation and monitoring of various activities in their respective constituencies.

He added that the chiefs use the motorcycles to reach the kingdom subjects and sensitize them on issues of cultural norms and other issues affecting the Kingdom.

He noted that before receiving the motorcycles, the chiefs spent two days undergoing capacity building training food security, and cultural conservation. They were also warned against misusing motorcycles.

Omubito Gerald Bareke, the chairperson of chiefs commended the Omukama for offering them the means of transport adding that it has been difficult for the chiefs to perform their duties due to lack of transport.

He noted that some of his colleagues have been using bicycles to implement, monitor and supervise the kingdom developments adding that with the new motorcycles they will carry out their duties with ease.

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More than Shs1 billion Emyooga money unspent in Gulu City

GULU – Several groups that were approved to benefit from the government’s Emyooga funds are reluctant to withdraw money from their accounts on what they termed unfair conditions.

The groups claim, to qualify for any loan from Emyooga funds, one has to remit 30% of the money being requested before they are given the money. They also claim that the loan repayment period which was agreed to be at one year was also reduced to just four months. Gulu City received a total of Shs 1,120 billion for 1,442 groups from Bardege Layibi division and Laroo Pece division. Each of the two divisions has been allocated Shs 560 million.

Bonny Onen, a performing artist based in Gulu City says it’s very difficult for their association to get the required 30% of the money for them to qualify to get money, saying the arts and performing industry has been closed for close to two years now.

He says besides that, Post Bank where they opened their bank accounts have also continued to deduct money they had initially deposited as a requirement. The bank is deducting Shs 8000 from their account.

George William Opira, the Chairperson of restaurant dealers Bardege Layibi division says that many people have opted to quit the group because of too many demands; that is the 30% required before receiving money. He says that many are also wondering if they can repay the money in four months’ time and yet initially, they were told that they would repay in 1 years’ time.

Beatrice Ajok, the Chairperson Produce dealers’ group of Pawel Pudyek wonders why they are to first pay 30% of money to get money and yet they don’t even know where it goes.

According to Ajok, they have resolved that if they are not clearly told why and where the 30% of the 30 million is going, they will not apply for it to be withdrawn.

“What bothers me is why they want us to first pay 30% of the money we are applying for. And where does the money go? How are we going to benefit from the money deducted?”

“Unless we are told where the 30% money is going, we have resolved not to apply for withdrawal of the Emyooga funds from the bank,” Ajok adds.

Lucky Anywar, the Secretary Bardege-Layibi division Produce Dealers Association, whose group did not receive the government funds says the numerous and confusing forms such as loan appraisal forms, registration forms among others forced the group leadership to move to all the members homes considering the transport challenges.

According to Anywar, what’s more confusing is that each of the members of the group has got to have a business plan which is accompanied by the national identity card before being considered for a loan.

Anywar says that the time frame given to repay the loan is too little and other sectors such as transport which are fully operating, the arts and performing industry affected, they can’t repay the money in the given time period.

Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City Mayor says the confusion has caused many groups to relax in applying for the funds. According to Okwonga, as a result they still have more than Shs 1 billion unspent with just a handful of groups having withdrawn the money.

Okwonga appeals to the successful groups to apply, withdraw the money and invest as follow-up on adjustments are made by the relevant authorities.

Catherine Owiny, the Commercial Officer Gulu City says the 30% of the money which is to be provided is saved in each of the group accounts. She says that the guidelines the groups are complaining about are meant to protect them from misusing the Emyooga funds, and later face arrest because the funds are revolving and supposed to be used by other groups which were not approved on the first approvals.

According to Owiny, on the reduced loan repayment period, they are still talking to Microfinance Support Center for further considerations.

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Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Member of Parliament for Bardege-Layibi division says, they are going to present the concerns of the groups on the floor of parliament. He says they will also talk to the Microfinance Support Center into readjusting the loan repayment period to the initial 1 year instead of the four months.

While addressing the country on security and human rights on Saturday last week, President Yoweri Museveni said Shs 213 billion of the allocated seed capital of Shs 266 billion had been disbursed to groups which were approved.

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Only 19 of the 72 Emyooga SACCOs have received funds in Hoima district

HOIMA – Members of Parliament from Hoima city have supported Emyooga beneficiaries’ demand to do away with all conditions imposed on the program, if the initiative is to serve its intended purpose.

Emyooga program is a Presidential Initiative on Job and Wealth Creation but it has been faced with several criticism and challenges during its implementation.

Several of the intended beneficiaries in the area have continuously lost interest in the program with some withdrawing their membership from the Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) due to what the beneficiaries termed as uncalled for bureaucracies.

The implementers of the program (Emyooga task force) that include the Microfinance Support Center, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Commercial Officers continue to insist that the beneficiaries should meet some requirements before accessing the money.

The task force insists that for SACCO members to access the funds on their accounts, they must have a mandatory 30% savings.

The SACCO members are also required to ensure that systems and structures of the SACCOs and associations are strengthened, which include having proper records, office space, which is independent from individual member’s businesses and staff with basic qualifications.

Last week Hon. Anita Among, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament sent Members of Parliament on recess from 5th to 17th of this month to conduct an oversight assessment of the Emyooga program.

However, during a meeting organized by Asinansi Nyakato, the Hoima City Woman MP and Dr. Joseph Ruyonga, Hoima West Davison MP Hoima City, it was discovered several SACCOs in the city and Hoima district had not accessed the money.

According to information that was unveiled to the law makers, only 19 out of the 72 SACCOs had received money to boost their businesses and only Shs 350 million out Shs 2.24 billion which was granted to Hoima district and city had been disbursed to the beneficiaries by last week.

Bosco Muhanuzi, the Mayor for Hoima East division told the MPs that the condition imposed on the program was unfavourable to targeted beneficiaries.

He noted that the condition of saving 30% is not for the low-income earner such as mechanics and fishermen but it’s for the rich groups and demanded all these conditions be scrapped.

https://thecooperator.news/kiryandongo-residents-want-emyooga-conditions-relaxed/

It is easier to get a loan from the banks than the one from Emyooga. I have never seen a loan that demands that you take 30%, after opening an office, employing manager, cashier and accountant, yet all these require finances,” he said, adding that this program is just for hoodwinking the people and wasting their time.

Brian Ariguma, the Chairperson of Hoima East Mechanics SACCO also demanded that the government allows the members to access the money without all these conditions if the funds are to benefit the poor people. He noted that most of his members have lost hope in the program, adding that they have started demanding for their little savings from the SACCO leaders.

“What we earn is what we eat, where do they expect us to get 30% which they demand us to save. Someone is looking for Shs 100, 000 to boost his or her business and then you ask that person to save Shs 300,000 to get Shs 700,000, this is unfair,” he complained.

Juma Asiimwe, the Chairperson of Hoima East division leaders SACCO says, when the president was unveiling the program, he did not put conditions on the program and wondered why the implementers are frustrating them with such conditions.

“If you want this program to help us to move out of poverty go and scrap off all these conditions,” Asiimwe told the MPs.

Asinansi Nyakato, Hoima City Woman MP, observed that the program has not benefited people as they expected and promised to advocate for some changes in the program.

“We are going to recommend to the government to scrap off 30% and if it’s not possible then the program should be halted because it’s exploiting our people,” she promised.

Dr. Joseph Ruyonga, Hoima West division MP noted that though the program is facing challenges, there is a need for the beneficiaries to undergo financial literacy training if they are to benefit from the program.

He observed that the biggest challenge faced by the program is that many of the beneficiaries, up to now, think that Emyooga money was a political incentive because it was initiated during the political season.

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Bunyoro’s Shs 5 billion industrial hub to equip residents with skills

MASINDI – The construction of a Shs 5 billion industrial hub for Bunyoro sub-region has left Masindi residents and their leaders excited about the prospects of skilling youths in different fields.

The regional industrial hub under construction by the government of Uganda is located at Nyakarongo village, Kimengo sub-county, Masindi district.

The multi-billion project is being constructed to address poverty and unemployment among the youth in the region, says Masindi district LC5 Chairman, Cosmas Byaruhanga.

Bunyoro sub-region is comprised of eight districts including Hoima, Masindi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Kikuube, Kagadi, Kibaale and Kakumiro.

https://thecooperator.news/government-allocates-shs-48-billion-to-creative-and-music-industry/

Byaruhanga says that using this hub, the youths will be equipped with the required skills that will help them fight poverty and create employment opportunities.

According to the project design, the facility will be furnished with diverse vocational training equipment like welding and metal fabrication, shoe making, salon and hairdressing, carpentry and joinery, brick laying, tailoring and driving tools among others.

The facility will also host agricultural demonstration farms and value addition facilities for maize and coffee processing for export in addition to offering short courses on various skills to the youth in the region.

The politician says the industrial hub will not only create jobs to the youths but also spur development in the region.

The facility sits on 100 acres of land that Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) donated to Masindi district local government on the request of the district Chairperson.

The construction work which is at 80% and yet to get complete will be finished by the end of this year.

Bright Mugume, the LCIII Chairperson Kimengo sub-county says that they are happy with the government for having put such a project in his sub-county adding that children within the area are going to be able to get vocational skills.

“This sub-county has no government secondary school nor a technical school. Most of our children stop in primary seven and they have not been getting a chance of getting vocational skills but this has been addressed. That’s why I have to thank the government of Uganda for this rare opportunity,” said Mugume.

Jackson Nasasira, a resident of the same area said that the sub-county has no revenue generating activity adding that when the industrial hub starts operations, the economy of this area and the people will be boosted.

Stephen Mugisa, a youth from Kimengo sub-county says, they are optimistic that they will be able to get skills at a lower cost noting that it has been hard for them to get the skills from the technical institutions because they have no money to pay the tuition.

The facility is neighbouring an upcoming centre at Kiryana trading centre where more than 2000 people are running different businesses.

They say that when the industrial hub starts operations, they will be able to get market for their goods.

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Minister Magyezi vouches for the Parish Development Model Program

UGANDA – The Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi has said that for Uganda to reach middle income status; Ugandans need to change their mindset and move away from subsistence agriculture to commercial economy through industrialization; as the government gears up to launch the Parish Development Model program.

The Minister made these remarks during a zoom dialogue meeting on the Parish Development Model as a strategy to build resilient food systems in Uganda.

“The government is committed to transform Ugandans from subsistence farming to a money economy in the next five years using the Parish Development Model,” says Magezi.

The meeting was organized by Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) in conjunction with the National Food Systems Secretariat and held at the Ministry of Local Government Boardroom on Wednesday, 18th of August, 2021.

Among other dignitaries in attendance were; the Deputy Chief Coordinator Operation Wealth Creation, Maj. Gen Sam Kavuma, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Goobi, Dr. Fred Muhumuza Economist, Researcher and Lecturer at Makerere University, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama and Sarah Kataike, the Director of Operation Wealth Creation in charge of the Regional Incubation and Innovation Center.

In his opening remarks, the Minister Raphael Magezi said, the coming years are going to be exciting for Ugandan citizens and the Ugandan economy as the government is finalizing with the necessary steps needed to launch the Parish Development Model.

He said that the Parish Development Model program is the latest National Resistance Movement (NRM) program aimed at shifting the whole of government’s development efforts to the parish level in its effort to uplift about 3.2 million households who are still held up in the subsistence economy to move into the money economy.

According to Magyezi, about 3.2 million households out of the 8.5 million households live in the subsistence economy meaning that two out of every five households live in the subsistence economy.

“The implementation of the Parish Development Model is expected to begin within this financial year 2021/22. It is one of the key strategies for expanding the country’s economic base and intensifying the fight against poverty in the five years,” Magyezi said.

The minister also noted that once rural households are lifted from the subsistence economy, the government will be able to increase the tax base, revenue mobilization strategy and the general quality of life which is the ultimate goal of the government.

On the pillars of the Parish Development Dodel, Magyezi stated that the new model will focus on production, value addition, marketing and mindset change, community statistical data strengthening, infrastructure development and financial inclusion where the government will start another revolving fund.

“Under the Parish Development Model, the government intends to revive cooperatives and credit facilities to enhance productivity of the 18 commodities that the government has identified as having a ready market and high potential for processing,” explained Magezi.

He listed coffee, cotton, cocoa, cassava, tea, vegetable oils, maize, rice, sugarcane, fish, dairy products, beef, bananas, beans, avocado, shea nut, cashew nut and macadamia nuts as key commodities with ready market and high potential for processing.

Dr. Agnes Apea Atim, the Woman Member of Parliament for Amolatar district, believes that the new model would mean that the center of government activities leaves the sub-county and becomes concentrated at the parish level.

According to her, once the Parish Development Model is implemented and it succeeds, the current situation where two out of every five Ugandans live hand to mouth will be eradicated.

“As the Vice Chairperson Parliamentary Agricultural Committee, I am convinced that nothing can better guarantee inclusive growth and employment for Ugandans than equitable participation of more Ugandans in the monetized economy,” Atim said.

However, she asked the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Local Government to develop guidelines on the criteria of identifying the list of members of households per parish and the criteria that the government would use to identify the beneficiaries.

https://thecooperator.news/youth-challenged-to-promote-food-security/

Atim argued that there is need for the ministry to show the research they have done, give parliament the data on how many households are in a given parish, how the money is going to benefit the households and the interventions.

She also said members of the Parliament should be embedded in the monitoring and evaluation role, saying that the legislators play a pivotal role in monitoring and evaluating government programs in their respective constituencies.

Maj. Gen Sam Kavuma, the Deputy Chief Coordinator Operation Wealth Creation said that the UPDF using its established structures at parish level is going to continue sensitising communities about the Parish Development Model as it does with Operation Wealth Creation.

“Many people have been asking the role of UPDF in the parish development model and I want to tell them ours is eyes and hands off,” said Maj. Gen. Kavuma.

On mindset change, he challenged all state actors to join hands and help agencies to implement the program to sensitise locals to embrace it.

Meanwhile, Sarah Kataike, the Director of Operation Wealth Creation in charge of the Regional Incubation and Innovation Center stressed the need for farmers to organise themselves in groups.

According to her, Ugandan farmers are not organised in cooperatives making delivery of input and agricultural extension services difficult.

Ramathan Goobi, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Secretary to the Treasury said the programme will see each of the 10,594 parishes get Shs 30 million in a revolving fund.

“The parish model, like the others before, is intended to lift Ugandans out of the subsistence economy into the money economy, but this time around, new parish chiefs will manage the fund,” Goobi stated.

Meanwhile in his closing remarks, Maj. Gen David Kasura Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries who represented the minister Frank Kagyigyi Tumwebaze warned against mismanagement of parish development funds.

He advised the responsible officers to exhibit professionalism while executing the parish development model activities warning that whoever is found culpable of embezzling any funds meant for the vulnerable citizens shall be dealt with accordingly.

WHAT IS PARISH DEVELOPMENT MODEL?

A statement from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, describes the Parish Development Model as a strategy that will organise and deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation at the parish level as the economic planning unit.

The project intends to localize Vision 2040 as well as the National Development Plan III for effective measurement and management of government development programmes.

Before the implementation of the Parish Development Model, the government will start by recruiting over 5,000 parish chiefs as well as embark on strengthening and training parish development committees.

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Amuru Women petition District Chairman over illegal sale of Amuru Hot Springs

AMURU – Women from Amoyokuma, sub-ward, Amuru Town Council have petitioned Michael Lakony, the LCV Chairperson, Amuru district to intervene as they struggle to recover land they claim to be communally owned.

In April 2020, Samuel Odonga Otto, the former Aruu County Member of Parliament (MP) entered an agreement with the family of Charles Nyeko to buy 21 acres of land around the hot springs in Amoyokuma sub-ward, Amoyokuma ward, Amuru Town Council, in Amuru district at Shs 15 million with the aim of constructing a hotel.

On the 4th August 2021 about 150 people, all residents of Amoyokuma sub-ward invaded the area that had been developed as a tourist site, named “The Buffalo Camp” vandalizing a generator and solar panel stands, 500 concrete pillars used to erect the fence around the land. The locals also pulled down chain links as well as injuring a casual laborer.

Christine Acan, one of the petitioners says the land in question is a communally owned land of which Odonga Otto entered an agreement with only a family that did not have full rights of deciding on behalf of the community members. Acan says that as married women, their rights on the land were also violated.

Joska Acen, another aggrieved petitioner claims that ever since the site was ‘dubiously” acquired by the former legislator, they have experienced a swift change in rain pattern.

https://thecooperator.news/apg-withdraws-ultimatum-after-reaching-agreement/

According to Acen, in the past one month, the whole area experienced heavy hail storms which destroyed their crops and killed animals among other impacts which are being attributed to the interference with the hot springs where elders perform cultural rites.

Florence Lamwaka, also a petitioner, says they want the district leadership to intervene in reclaiming the land which was illegally sold to the legislator, and the town council authorities investigated for accepting bribes leading to the sale of the land.

In a recent interview, Rwot Justine Ocitti Binyi, the Chief of Pagak Clan said the purported development being brought by Odonga Otto diminishes the core value of the cultural site which has provided rain that fed the community for decades.

Michael Lakony, the LCV Chairperson Amuru district says the district executive committee will have a meeting on Monday next week. He however, says they will also launch an investigation to ascertain whether the construction which was ongoing at the site was approved by both the town council and district planning units.

Lakony says that they also want to understand whether the construction conforms with the NEMA act which creates a buffer of at least 25 meters from the water source.

“According to Lakony, the district will not enter in the land dispute between Odonga Otto and the community members. Let the people who sold the land to Odonga Otto finish the dispute between the community and the legislator, for us as the district, we shall only investigate the legality of the development.”

Efforts to contact Samuel Odonga Otto, the accused, were futile. He however, in recent interviews accused Rwot Binyi of inciting violence and behind the 4th August vandalization at the tourists’ site.

Before the petition, there had been a number of attempts by the locals to prevent Odonga Otto from using the land.

In April 2020, community members led by clan leaders from Pagak and Lamogi summoned the legislator and his known friend, Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South MP to understand the circumstances under which the land was acquired without their (community members and cultural leaders) consent.

Amuru hot springs are located West of Gulu City, approximately 53 km. It’s about 3 km off the Amuru-Gulu road slightly opposite Ker Kwaro Pagak.

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