Alebtong district failed to recover Shs. 840m from youth projects

ALBETONG – Alebtong district has failed to recover Shs 840m which the government released to support various youth projects in the district.

The money was disbursed to supplement Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) and Youth Venture Fund (YVF) in three financial years (2014/2015, 2017/2018, 2019/2020) according to the district LC5 boss, David Kennedy Odongo.

He said the district received Shs1.4b in these financial years to support the projects but since then they have recovered only Shs153m.

“The financial support was given to youth groups and they were supposed to get, use it and repay but a number have failed to repay,” Odongo said.

His comment followed the recent concern raised by the District Youth Chairperson, Robert Ocen during the youth day celebration. He further said, government was at the stage of scrapping the Youth Livelihood Program and redirecting the funds to the Parish Development Program.

“The youth are leaving in fear that Youth Livelihood Program which was the only program to facilitate youth activities will soon be no more,” Ocen was quoted as saying during the celebration held at Alebtong primary school.

Odongo said with the figure of Shs 840 unrecovered, it means a lot of money is still with the youth though they are crying for government support, marginalization and scrapping of youth development projects.

He also said, the government has already invested a lot on youth and their budget for this financial year 2021/2022 to the tune of Shs29b and allocated Shs14b for education.

“When you talk about education, it means you are talking about the youth who are going to be future leaders,” he added.

“The government injected Shs 2b for the construction of Abia Seeds Secondary School, Shs1.8b for Awei and Shs800m for Angetta Secondary School,” said Odongo.

He advised young people to embrace government programs such as Emyooga and Parish Development Program which are due to be kicked off.

“Work on your mindset and avoid the blame game if you want to progress,” he added.

He said under the Emyooga program, the district has received Shs 1.1b and what has already been disbursed is Shs 370m.

Ocen requested the government to extend the repayment period of Emyooga to one year and relax other conditions required to access the money.

https://thecooperator.news/hoima-city-women-and-pwds-get-shs-151million/

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COP26: UNEP calls for more efforts on climate finance and adaptation plans

GLASGOW – Finance for climate change adaptation as well as implementation plans are still very low, despite increasing policies and planning for climate change mitigation, a new report published by United Nations Environment Program, UNEP, has said.

The Adaption Gap Report, 2021: The Gathering Storm, says although the world is focused on stepping up efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need to “dramatically up our game to adapt,” as climate impacts continue to outpace attempts to adapt to them,” said Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of UNEP.

The report was launched on Thursday as world leaders continued to hold discussions at Glasgow in the 26th UN conference on climate change, to jointly attempt to limit global warming, in fulfillment of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

In 2001, the Adaptation Fund was created under the Kyoto Protocol to finance real adaptation projects in developing countries that are most vulnerable to the harsh effects of climate change.

Adaptation and climate finance are the first two goals of the COP26, aiming at urging countries affected by climate change to “protect and restore their ecosystems and build defenses, warning and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives,” through various programs.

However, Anderson said, adaptation financing is still a huge concern because the gap between what we need to spend to adapt and what we are spending is widening, and could reach $ 280-500 billion each year by 2050 for poor countries alone.

The report adds that although international public adaptation finance has risen by 50% between 2017-2020, it is still low.

The report recognizes that climate change adaptation is increasingly being embedded in policy and planning worldwide by countries. At least 79% of all countries are said to be using at least one national-level adaptation planning instrument, showing a 7% rise since 2020.

Andersen said, all these efforts are not yet enough, even if the tap on greenhouse gas emissions were to be turned off today.

“We need to scale up further and increase public adaptation finance including but not limited to overcoming barriers for private sector engagement, as implantation at current rates may not keep pace with increasing levels of climate change.”

“This UNEP report clearly shows that we need to change our adaptation ambition for funding and implementation, to significantly reduce damages and losses from climate change. And we need it now,” she said.

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Kikuube locals storm RDC’s office over appointment of land board chairman

KIKUUBE – More than 150 residents representing over 540 families from Kabwoya sub-county in Kikuube district on Monday afternoon stormed the offices of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) demanding the Office of the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to intervene and order Kikuube district council to drop the name of Ignatius Muganyizi as the Chairperson district land board.

Kikuube district council two weeks ago appointed Muganyizi as the Chairperson of the district land board amidst protests from community members and the area members of parliament and a section of Councillors.

Muganyizi’s appointment as the district land board Chairperson was made by 13 Councilors out of 24 during a council meeting that was presided over by Christopher Nkalu, the Speaker during a session held at Lake Albert Guest house in Kyehoro landing site, Kabwoya sub-county, Kikuube district.

The residents carrying placards with words like; I have refused to have Muganyizi as district land board Chairman, we disagree with Muganyi’s appointment as Chairperson Kikuube district land board, there is a lot of forged land titles in the district as a result of Muganyizi.

Residents threatened to take the law into their hands if Kikuube leadership continues to keep a deaf ear on these concerns.

They accused the Kikuube district council of being corrupt, adding that the appointment of Muganyizi was influenced by land grabbers in the region.

According to them, before the council approved Muganyizi as district land board boss, they (residents) petitioned the office of the district Chairman Peter Banura and the Speaker, Chris Nkaru but they ignored the petition and went ahead with their interest.

According to them, Muganyizi’s integrity was tainted when he was working as the Kabwoya sub-county area land committee chairperson.

Led by John Mugabo, the LC1 Chairperson of Kyabayanja village, the aggrieved residents allege that Muganyizi then as Chairman area land committee of Kabwoya sub-county connived with several tycoons and titled people’s land illegally.

One of the tycoons is Mustafa Zaidi who owns 925 hectares of land with a title in names of MZ Agencies which land is also claimed by residents.

They also accuse Muganyizi of having connived with one Maria Conslata and titled people’s land measuring 420 hectare. It also alleged that during Muganyizi’s time, land measuring 1000 acres belonging to Kabwoya-Maaya youth were illegally titled.

The protesters were from the villages of Kyabayanja, Kimbugu, Kiburara A, Kiburara B, Nyamiriki and Nyangabi holding placards and singing Nawaka, Omwoto denounced the appointment of Muganyizi.

The residents handed over a petition to the RDC signed by over 150 affected residents demanding the cancellation of Muganyizi’s appointment saying that his appointment will fuel land grabbing in the entire district.

The residents, included old women and men who argued that since the district failed to listen to them, they demand the office of the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and the Minister of Lands, Judith Nabakooba to intervene.

While receiving the petition, Amlan Tumusiime, the Kikuube Resident District Commissioner commended the residents for using civil means of expressing their grievances instead of taking the law into their hands.

He noted that Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja had been informed about the issues and promised to deliver their petition to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Lands about the whole matter before Muganyizi fully takes over office.

Tumusiime told the residents that some district leaders are plotting for his transfer because of standing with the community. He noted 90% of the cases which his office handles daily are related to land but the leaders have failed to understand this challenge.

https://thecooperator.news/mps-residents-reject-appointment-of-chairman-land-board/

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Rehabilitation works at Agoro irrigation scheme worry farmers

LAMWO – The slow pace at which the rehabilitation works at Agoro Irrigation Scheme is moving is worrying farmers.

They argue that as the dry season sets in next month, many are likely to be affected since the water at the scheme will not be reaching their farmlands.

Farmers within Agoro Irrigation Scheme, under Agoro Self-help Irrigation Cooperative Society Limited, in Agoro sub-county, Lamwo district total about 600.

They grow crops like sorghum, millet, rice and vegetables, mostly for commercial purpose.

In 2013, Ministry of Water and Environment injected Shs 27 billion into the rehabilitation of Agoro irrigation scheme in its bid to boost farming productivity among the community.

However, due to shoddy work, the facility has not helped members of the cooperative to realize their expectations.

In August this year, the Ministry of Water and Environment reached out to a contractor to carry out rehabilitation works to the tune of Shs 1.7 billion and it is expected to be finished by April next year.

However, the works have not been to expectations, looking at its slow pace.

Farmers argue that they are at cross- roads, as the canals at the scheme are too deep thereby failing the water to reach their farmlands.

The irrigation scheme has three sections; the water collection point, where water is pumped to the dam before it reaches the drainage where the water is channeled through the canals before it reaches the gardens.

However, the farmers argue that the dam is not appropriate to the drainage, something that makes it difficult for the water to reach the canals that supply water to the gardens.

The LC III Chairperson, Agoro sub-county Denis Onyon, argues that the Ministry of Water was duped when it got a contractor who also subcontracted another company that has failed to do the works to its expectations.

“Imagine from August 10th, this year, to date, it’s 2% of work done. It will soon be dry season, but we have nothing in place.”

The farmers have reached out to us leaders, but we cannot help much since several meetings called to meet the contractor have not yielded any positive result.

Allan Ocaya, Chairperson of the cooperative, tasked Ministry of Water officials to task the contractor to speed up with the works otherwise farmers are losing hope.

“If you are to look at the works on the ground and the part payment of Shs 300 million given to the contractor, the work is too small,” he said.

Ms Brenda Okao, Communications Officer, Northern region in Ministry of Water and Environment acknowledged that the rehabilitation works are moving at a slow pace.

“The contractor is on the ground working but he needs to be pushed and that is what we are doing as the ministry,” he said.

One of the farmers at the scheme, Joyce Lakaraber, who deals in cabbage growing said, the Ministry of Water should consider sourcing contractors within the district for effective supervision.

“If the contractor is from within, we can put them to task for speedy works,” she said.

Many of the members are considering pulling out, yet they feel working under a cooperative has been key in improving their livelihood at household level.

https://thecooperator.news/lamwo-farmers-in-panic-as-rains-come/

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Prime Minister Nabanja accuses Minister Onek of indiscipline.

KAMPALA – The Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja has accused the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek of indiscipline.

This was after Minister Hillary Onek wrote a letter trending on social media and copied the president accusing her of usurping his roles and that of his deputy as Ministers of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.

“I have not seen the letter but if the minister decided to write to me that is different. It is indiscipline because his office is next to my office so if he felt something bad was going on he would have come to my office and we harmonize,” says Nabbanja.

“You want to tell me that people should steal money when you are seated and I fail to come in. Fellow Ugandans things have changed, so I ask my fellow ministers to come and we walk together because we have little time. We are not going to blow off,” she added.

This all started after assuming her office, the Prime Minister immediately started visiting disaster affected areas such as the Kasese floods where she delivered several relief items such as blankets, meals and soap.

In a letter circulating on social media dated October 29, 2021, signed by Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek complained about Nabbanja’s conduct of not involving his office while executing duties related to his docket.

“From the time of your appointment, I have been observing with total displeasure the fact that my role and that of my deputy as the ministers in charge of refugees and disaster and the lead policy makers on matters of refugee and disaster management have been totally usurped by your office,” the letter reads in part.

Onek also adds that the Prime Minister has been side-lining the top officials and only considering his juniors while visiting refugee camps.

“You have been calling for meetings, going to disaster affected places and visiting refugee settlements without informing either my office or that of my deputy. To my shock, my staff who I supervise are the ones being called for a meeting with the local leadership of Bududa without involving my office or even the area Members of Parliament, which may lead to decisions being made that contradicts earlier and official cabinet position

Hon Onek adds that using such approaches will duplicate his efforts in the office of disaster and preparedness.

The letter also compels the Prime Minister to restrain herself from using excessive force while pinning corrupt leaders holding government positions without making further investigations.

“You have also purged the department of disaster management, taken over the distribution of relief items and causing interdiction of staff members without proper investigation. The interdicted staff were accused of causing a financial loss without conducting a forensic audit by involving office of the auditor general,” reads in part.

“On 5th October 2021, you wrote to my office halting the settlement of refugees in Kyangwali over land ownership, this decision was arrived at without involving either me or my deputy or any technical staff from the department of refugees” the letter further reads.

Onek further advised Nabbanja that her constitutional powers stop at coordinating legislative agenda, leading government business in parliament and monitoring all ministries and government programs but not involving in micro management of other ministries.

“If you decide to micromanage other ministries, what then is the role of the senior ministers who are supposed to plan, make policies and deliver on the manifestoes of H.E the president,” Onek asked in a letter.

The letter was copied to President Y.K Tubuhaburwa Museveni, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy speaker of parliament and to the PPS to H.E the President.

Onek further threatened to withdraw from the ministry responsible for disasters and preparedness should the prime minister continue working in isolation.

“If you have decided to carry on working like this and rendering my docket irrelevant, kindly put it in writing to H.E the president who is the appointing authority and I will relieve myself on my responsibilities and allow you carry on with your duties, “reads the letter.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, prime minister Nabbanja vowed not to withdraw her operational methods but insisted to keep working with only government officials willing to change the face of Uganda in terms of service delivery.

Most legislators supported Nabbanja’s way of doing government works claiming that it will awaken ministers who have been sleeping on government positions for long.

Others claimed that Nabbanja’s business of doing things will undermine powers of her junior ministers in government.

“Nabbanja wants to show off to the president that she is hardworking but in turn she is undermining her junior ministers,” says MP Paul Semakula Rutamaguza representing Nakaseke South.

Our correspondent tried to reach Minister Onek to respond to this accusation but his renowned phone numbers were off.

Robinah Nabbanja was appointed as Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament in June 2021 replacing Rt Hon. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.

https://thecooperator.news/prime-minister-nabbanja-intervenes-in-a-refugee-camp-land-conflict/

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URA deploys at shopping centers to effect EFRIS

KAMPALA – The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Monday morning enforced the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) in most of the shopping centers in Kampala and other urban centers.

The exercise launched countrywide enables the tax body to monitor non-issuance of e-receipts and e-invoices and several other inconsistences in the supply chain of goods without digital stamps.

The Tax body introduced the exercise in January 2021 with intent to administratively offer a long-term solution to digital tax stamps, e-invoicing, e-receipting all tailored to improving efficiency.

All Value Added Tax (VAT) registered taxpayers are required to issue e-invoices/e-receipts in their business transactions through EFRIS a system that allows the tax body real time access to the data, and as a requirement, all gazzeted products are supposed to bear a digital tax stamp.

The gazzeted products include; bottled water, soda, beer, wines, spirits, cigarettes, sugar and cement.

Paddy Ocheng, the Manager in charge of domestic taxes operations in the central region says, businesses will comply because they want to avoid unnecessary penalties. Supplying goods and services without issuing an e-invoice/e-receipt or manufacturing, importing of gazzeted products without a Digital Tax Stamp is an offence.

Ever since its introduction, EFRIS and DTS have businesses that have not been vigilant on its use, prompting the tax body to deploy a whip.

Reports indicate that there has been continuous supply of goods and services by VAT registered taxpayers without issuing e-invoices/e-receipts with several businesses still holding unstamped gazzeted products.

Supplying of goods and services without issuing an e-invoice/e-receipt or manufacturing, importing of gazzeted products without a Digital Tax Stamp are offences punishable by law.

The General public is therefore encouraged to purchase gazzeted items that are affixed with digital tax stamps and also demand their e-receipts or e-invoices to avoid any inconveniences.

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COP26: UK Premier tells world to plant a trillion trees by 2030 to fix the air

UNITED KINGDOM – The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Monday, called on the world to plant a trillion trees by 2030, as it is the only non-technical way to “fix the carbon in the air.”

“We can plant hundreds of millions of trees, a trillion. It is not technologically difficult, and halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. Not that it is a spiritually beautiful and uplifting thing to do, but because that is the way to restore that balance of nature and to fix carbon in the air.”

The UK is hosting the 26th Conference of Parties (COP) which started October 31,2021. The conference is being attended by about 2500 delegates and thousands of activists at the Scottish Event Campus.

Speaking during the first part of the High-level segment for heads of state and government, Boris stressed the need to reverse climate change by reducing the rising temperature of the planet, which he says is entirely man-made.

“The doom’s day clock is furiously ticking as the world is covered in an invisible and suffocating blanket of Carbon dioxide,” Boris said.

He warned that, if not controlled, rising temperature by 2 degrees more will jeopardize the entire food supply for hundreds of millions of people.

“If we don’t get serious about climate change today, it will be too late for our children to do so tomorrow.”

One of the four main focuses of COP26 centers on achieving four main things; securing a net global zero by midcentury, and keeping the temperature within 1.5 degrees.

These goals were arrived at during the Paris Agreement, in 2015. The agreement, adopted by 196 countries, during the COP21, is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, to limit global warming below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To achieve these ambitions, countries will have to deliver these targets by midcentury through; curbing deforestation, fast-tracking the phasing out of coal, switching to electric cars, and encouraging investment in renewable energy.

However, Boris said promises made at the 2015 Paris Agreement such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero will mean nothing if countries do not begin to close down on the billions of hydrocarbon combustion chambers littered all over the world with greater speed and efficiency.

He says, the UK will lead by ending new car sales by 2030 and urged developed countries to end the use of coal-fed power stations by 2030.

“We can phase out the use of cars with hydrocarbon internal combustion engines by 2030. The UK is taking a lead in ending new sales by 2030. We can end the use of coal-fed power stations by 2040 in the developing countries, and 2030 in the richer nations,” Boris said.

But for the net-zero goal to come to fruition, developing countries need huge sums of money. In 2009, developed countries, during COP15 in Copenhagen promised to raise 100 billion US dollars from public and private sources each year by 2020 to avert climate crisis in developing countries.

However published figures by Organization for Cooperation and Development by 2019, only $80 billion had been raised.

Boris said the money will not be delivered until 2023, while stressing that it is the mandate of the developed countries to help poor countries reduce their emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change, which is mainly a doing of the rich countries.

“Because it was here in Glasgow, 250 years ago that James Watt came up with a machine that was powered by steam that was produced by burning coal.”

“And yes, my friends we brought you to the very place where the doomsday machine began to tick. And even though for 200 years, the developed countries were in complete ignorance of the problem we were creating, we now have to find those funds.”

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said the last six years after the Paris Agreement were the hottest on record.

“Our addiction to fossil fuels is pushing humanity to the brink. We face a stark choice: Either we stop it or it stops us,” Guterres said.

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Embrace agriculture, UNOC ED tells Kingdom subjects

HOIMA – The Executive Director (ED) for Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Proscovia Nabbajja has warned the people of Bunyoro against abandoning other sectors in favor for oil and gas sector.

On Thursday, a delegation from UNOC led by the ED Nabbajja had a closed-door meeting with the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom officials led by the Kingdom Prime Minister and discussed different ways on how the youth and women can be empowered to be able to benefit from the oil and gas sector.

UNOC is a limited liability petroleum company in Uganda and owned by the Ugandan government.

Its overall function is to handle the Government of Uganda’s commercial interests in the petroleum sector and to ensure that the resource is exploited in a sustainable manner.

Speaking to theCooperator news after the meeting with the Kingdom, Nabbajja said, as the country heads to production of oil and gas, many people have put their focus only on this sector.

She noted that such an anxiety is likely to affect sectors such as agriculture, tourism and fishing among others.

She noted that there is need for Ugandans, mostly the people of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom to embrace other sectors such as agriculture to avoid the Dutch disease which is faced by several oil producing countries.

In economics, the Dutch disease is the apparent causal relationship between the increase in the economic development of a specific sector like the natural resources and decline in other sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.

“We need to create an environment where people are thinking beyond oil and gas because oil is a finite resource and we need to look at complementary services that are going to keep Bunyoro alive even after the oil and gas; so is it an area that we can interest women and youths? Absolutely yes, ” she noted.

She added that UNOC has agreed to partner with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to prepare women and youth as one way of preparing such groups for the sector.

Nabbajja says, UNOC is committed to see that Ugandans especially the kingdom subjects get prepared to tap into the upcoming oil and gas opportunities.

She added that under their partnership, UNOC will help women groups and youth to register on the National suppliers’ data base to ensure that they get a chance to get involved in the oil business.

She also promised that UNOC will empower youth groups with different skills such as financial literacy and issues of standards. She explained that quality and standards is a key in the oil and gas sector which many business people lack.

https://thecooperator.news/cooperative-societies-urged-to-tap-into-oil-sector-opportunities/

The Kingdom Prime Minister, Andrew Byakutanga commended UNOC for the partnership and promised that the Kingdom will identify the existing women and youth groups and know their challenges and then recommend them to benefit from the initiative.

He explained that 60% women are involved in agriculture but most of them lack skills, adding that skilling them will be an added advantage which will help such groups to supply quality goods and services to the oil and gas sector.

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Katakwi district leaders on the spotlight over illegal operation of livestock loading site

KATAKWI – The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries has directed the leadership of Katakwi district to stop the illegal operations of Apolin livestock loading site with immediate effect to contain further spread of foot and mouth disease.

This follows defiance by the cattle traders as they continue transacting business and loading livestock in the said site despite restrictions by the Ministry.

In August, this year, the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries imposed partial livestock quarantine in Katakwi district following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in five sub-counties.

The sub-counties that were put under quarantine according to the Ministry are; Kapujan, Katakwi, Getom, Akoboi and Akulonyo.

According to a letter dated 20th August, 2021 and signed by Dr. Doris Kiconco on behalf of the Commissioner, Animal Health in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, all the surrounding areas within the radius of 20km are also affected.

“Consequently, the movement of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs; beef, milk and other animal products and by-products from, to, through and within the quarantine area is prohibited with immediate effect,” part of the letter reads.

The Ministry also banned the sale and purchase of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs and their products in the quarantine areas as a measure to contain the disease.

The disease that was first reported in the districts of Kapelebyong, Serere, Soroti and Kaberemaido in Teso sub-region region and Kotido, Abim, Napak in Karamoja sub-region among others has left 100 animals dead in the affected areas in a period of three months.

Despite the ban on livestock markets and loading sites, Apolin livestock loading site located at Katakwi sub-county which is one of the areas under quarantine has continued operating at the watch of the district leaders.

Sources close to the site accuse the district leaders following failure to enforce the livestock quarantine by allowing livestock trade to take place in the area.

They claim that the district leaders extort bribes from the livestock traders so as to allow them to continue loading animals in the loading site despite the restrictions.

This has prompted the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries to intervene and stop the operation of the said livestock loading site.

In a letter authored on 20th of October, 2021 and signed by Zonal Veterinary Inspector North-East Uganda, Dr. Robert Ojala, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries and addressed to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) which theCooperator has obtained a copy, Katakwi district leadership is directed to seal off Apolin livestock loading site as soon as possible.

“I do write to your office over the illegal operation of Apolin livestock loading site, following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease reported on 1st August, 2021, quarantine restrictions were imposed in the sub-counties of Kapujan, Getomi, Katakwi and Okulonyo as per the quarantine restrictions letter of 20th August, 2021″, the letter reads in part.

According to Dr. Ojala, Apolin livestock loading site lies within the areas under restrictions and allowing it to operate is a breach of the Animal diseases Act Chap 38.

“The livestock markets, livestock loading sites, slaughter places including butchers, animal shows, movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, their products and by-products from to, through and within the affected areas are prohibited until further notice,” said Dr. Ojala.

The local government administrators who include the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), District Police Commander (DPC), District Internal Security Officer (DISO), District Veterinary Officer (DVO), Chiefs, and Enforcement Officers are directed to enforce quarantine restrictions as per the Veterinary Technical Manual for the control of movement of animals and animal products in Uganda Chapter 7, section 7.2 and Chapter 6.

Meanwhile, John Stephen Ekoom, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Katakwi blames the politicians for frustrating efforts of the police in enforcing the livestock quarantine in the affected areas.

“Some of the political leaders are encouraging members of the public to oppose the quarantine imposed by the government following an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth-Disease because they want to gain cheap popularity,” Ekoom claimed.

Ekoom who also doubles as the Chairperson Katakwi district Security Committee said, his office is going to be at the forefront in enforcing the directives of the Ministry being the representative of the president in the district.

He warned that anybody found transacting livestock business in the areas under livestock quarantine shall be arrested and arraigned in the courts of law for disobeying government directives.

Section 7 and Section 29 of Animal Diseases [Amendment] Act 2005 states that no person shall remove from a place of quarantine any animal, carcass, fodder, wool, butter, ghee or dung except with the sanction of the inspecting officer.

A person who contravenes such rules is liable to a fine not exceeding Shs.100,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding a month or both.

But Geoffrey Omolo, the Katakwi LCV Chairperson refutes the allegations labelled against the political wing and accused the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of failing to employ preventive measures.

“There is a serious weakness in the line ministry because they are aware of the source of FMD , but instead of establishing an isolation centre or a holding ground at the border between Teso and Karamoja livestock can be done before allowing them to enter districts in Teso, they are emphasizing on vaccination which is costly,” he said.

This is not the first time Katakwi district is put under partial livestock quarantine. In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries imposed quarantine in the sub-counties of Ngariam and Palama which border Napak, and Abim districts in Karamoja sub-region due to foot and mouth disease outbreak.

It was then lifted in September, 2021, after the livestock in the affected area, a total of 5000 heads of cattle were vaccinated against the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ariko Onyait, the Katakwi District Veterinary Officer blamed the fast spread of the disease on quark veterinary doctors and also the traders who smuggle sick animals and take them to areas that do not have the disease.

According to Dr. Onyait, they are doing everything possible to save the livestock in the district.

“Following the letter from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, we have embarked on sensitizing farmers on the disease control measures,” he said.

Apart from Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, Dr. Onyait, also said Katakwi district is currently struggling to manage other different diseases that include; the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Lumpy Skin disease, Anaplasmosis and Black Quarter.

He therefore, challenged the public to respect the imposed quarantine, as they wait for government intervention.

History of Foot and Mouth Disease in Uganda.

The first FMD outbreak in Uganda was recorded in 1953. Since then, the outbreaks occur annually.
In 2014, FMD hit about 30 districts across the country and the government imposed quarantine on the sale of beef and other dairy products. The quarantine was lifted six months later.

The disease struck again last year and several livestock farmers in the cattle corridor districts lost a number of animals.

https://thecooperator.news/nda-cattle-farmers-blame-each-other-on-tick-resistance-in-western-uganda/

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No cabinet position yet on bail – Attorney General

KAMPALA – The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka has said cabinet is yet to adopt a position on the issue of scrapping bail on certain cases as advocated for by the President.

Mr. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, while attending an engagement meeting between the Government Chief Whip and the media at Parliament put it clear that cabinet has not taken any position yet on the issue of bail.

Kiryowa’s reaction follows multiple media reports that a position had already been taken, and soon it will be an issue on the floor of Parliament.

The Attorney General said, the issue was brought in cabinet, and discussions are still on-going before a position is adopted.

“It is an issue in cabinet, and discussions are still on going. You will all know once a position is adopted,” he told the media.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka also called on the media to always invest in research while on duty to have informed positions.

President Museveni has revived the bail debate with intent to have it scraped off on certain of crimes.

Politicians and other political observers have remarked that the move is intended to target political dissent and clamping on politicians.

In his opinion, President Museveni thinks capital offenders should be denied bail, or the constitutional pre-trial release until after at least six months on remand.

The Constitution Article 23, Clause 6 grants offenders a right to pre-trial release with a basis in Article 28 of the same constitution which states that an accused person is innocent until proved or pleads guilty.

Cabinet is set to introduce a range of reforms, among them amendments to the Constitution and the Police Act, to tighten the hands of judicial officers in exercising the discretion to grant or deny bail.

The Attorney General calls for calmness as work on the proposed reforms proceed.

https://thecooperator.news/anglican-bishops-report-caos-deos-to-state-house-anti-corruption-unit/

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