Kenyan fuel tanker explodes at Goli customs border

NEBBI – Businesses were last Friday paralyzed at Goli custom border when a Kenyan fuel tanker registration number KCN-019Q/ZF7830 that was transporting fuel to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via Goli customs exploded in a huge flame of fire.

The accident happened in the morning hours around 4:00am and fortunately, didn’t claim any lives but destroyed a lot of properties.

Residents of Mboma East village, Jupangira sub-county in Nebbi district, where the accident happened were stranded without food and shelter after the incident. The affected families had to take refuge with relatives and good Samaritans.

According to Moses Kyeyamwa, the Operations Commander (OC) at Goli border post, the incident forced some of the affected families to take refuge with nearby communities. Residents described the incident as similar to an explosive bomb going off with a blaze which could have been sparked by friction of the tyres due to the distance covered by the trailer.

He adds that, the diesel fuel tanker carrying an estimated 25,000 liters of diesel heading to DRC arrived at Goli border post from Kampala and caught fire shortly after parking by the roadside.

Unfortunately, the fire extended to another stationed petrol fuel tanker registration number 0887AA07/0888A07 which later burnt a parked coaster 200 meters from the first incident due to the spreading flames.

“Police had running battles with local residents who had gone to collect the spilt fuel from the flamed fuel tanker to avoid loss of lives. Since the heat couldn’t be controlled, police cut National Water Sewerage Corporation water pipes to quell the spreading flames,” Kyeyamwa said.

He says businesses which used to boom at Goli border were paralyzed for the whole day as police officers and fire brigades were draining fuel from the burnt trailer for easy access of the road to avoid another risky accident.

One of the eye witnesses John Okurboth, who arrived at the scene in time says, the few people who reported at the scene started mobilizing for sand and water before firefighters arrived at the scene but still, they were overpowered by the thick and toxic flames coming from the burning fuel tankers.

“I thought it was a rebel attack when I heard explosive sounds going endlessly from my room, since Zombo was attacked by unknown rebel groups from DRC a month ago; so, we also imagined the same situation was repeating itself at Goli border,” Ukorboth said.

Ukorboth adds that some drivers and turn-men who parked their lorries by the roadsides made loud alarms to other drivers to cross the border to avoid another incidence of getting burnt from the spreading fire.

https://thecooperator.news/fire-razes-40-acres-of-cane-in-masindi/

The LC I of Mboma East village Phillip Abok said, the Friday fuel tanker explosion has left a number of families homeless and their properties destroyed by the fire from the explosion and looters pretending to be rescuers.

He says since people are facing partial lockdown, the government should provide food and temporary shelters to the affected families since the vulnerable, elderly mothers and children are spending sleepless nights in the cold and are hungry.

“Mothers and young children were rescued with the help of community members who made alarms to wake up those who were in their deep sleep to avoid loss of lives but still their properties were destroyed in the process of getting rescued,” Abok narrated.

One of the victims Ms. Consulate Madhawun who was staying 3 meters from the explosion says, her family members survived because the wind was blowing towards the western direction, but her properties all got burnt and others were looted by the rescuers who had come to save their lives.

“I thank God for saving my life and that of my family since the distance from my house to the road was so near. If it was not because of God, we would have all died,” Madhawun said.

Scovia Gamba, a mother of two who used to run a local hotel at the border says, she lost her properties worth more than Shs 5 million to the explosive fire since the incident happened early morning which made it difficult to rescue her properties.

She adds that the incident happened when she had just borrowed a loan of Shs 2m to boost her food vending business at Goli border. Her business was also affected by the 42 days’ lockdown which prohibited the inter district mobility of public and private transport to curb the spread of Covid19.

Scovia who started her local hotel business at the border narrated that, she started her business in the year 2018 with a capital of Shs 500,000 and she was able to take care of her elderly parents to survive but, it’s going to be hard to regain her business because she will be hard hit by limited capital to stabilize her business again.

However, the district Chairperson Emmanuel Urombi says, the district is conducting assessments to ensure the affected families are helped.

“The district has no capacity to provide any relief items to the affected families but, the tragedy has been reported to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for further management,” Urombi said.

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Masindi SACCO leaders Disagree over Emyooga Savings Requirements

MASINDI – SACCO leaders in Masindi have disagreed over the 30% savings requirement to access loans from Emyooga SACCOs.

On Wednesday, Joab Businge, the Masindi municipality member of parliament held a consultative meeting with leaders of Emyooga SACCOs in Masindi municipality to ascertain how the program is progressing.

The members of parliament had been directed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Anita Among to undertake a fact-finding mission to assess the progress of the Emyooga program.

On the whole, Masindi district received Shs 1.6 billion; of which, Masindi municipality got Shs 559 million as seed capital.

According to the report presented by Robinah Nyangoma, the Masindi Municipality Commercial Officer, 18 SACCOs were formed from 453 associations in the entire municipality, adding that so far Shs 257 million has been saved by different SACCOs and Shs 719 million has been disbursed to beneficiaries. She further added that Shs 57 million has been recovered from different SACCOs.

Notably, in the meeting that was held at Masindi municipality gardens; members had divergent perspectives on the issue of the 30% savings requirement for accessing loans from the Emyooga SACCOs.

According to the policy, a member must have saved 30% of the money applied for before their loan application is approved.

Many members argued that this requirement was too much; persons with disabilities complained that the percentage is too much for them to afford, noting that it should be reduced to at least 10%. Others suggested that the requirement be reduced to 20%.

“A lot of money is stuck on our accounts because of this requirement,” a member stated.

Jim Agaba from the Masindi Municipality Constituency Saloon SACCO complained that they had no money to raise the percentage required and urged the authorities to reduce the savings requirements to enable people like her to access the money.

However, some members supported the savings requirement of 30% noting that it’s compelling the members to improve on their saving culture.

https://thecooperator.news/msc-tasks-leaders-to-sort-emyooga-program-challenges/

“The people who are complaining that the percentage is too much are the people who don’t want to save. This percentage is helping us grow our SACCOs. It should be maintained for the betterment of our SACCOs. This also acts as security for the members who want to default,” said Isingoma Cleophas, the Chairperson, Masindi Municipality Tailors SACCO.

The disagreement on the percentage has been brought about by different politicians and some program officers who tell beneficiaries uncoordinated information.

Businge, the area member of parliament blamed the leaders and program officers for giving people uncoordinated information, saying that this will lead to the collapse of the program.

“As leaders, we should all speak one language if the program is to yield fruits. As leaders, stop misleading people. Proper information must be given to the people because what we need are positive results. People should stop politicizing this program,” said Businge.

Other challenges

Members also complained that some SACCOs have very many associations explaining that the Shs 30 million given to such SACCOs is of no help.

Fatuma Nyangoma, the Treasurer, Masindi Municipality Constituency Producers’ SACCO said they are comprised of more than 200 associations explaining that Shs 30 million was like a drop of milk in the ocean.

“We gave out money and it got over. The associations need money but there’s nothing and they’re active and saving. Rotating around all these SACCOs with only Shs 30 million is not realistic. We pray that the government reconsiders SACCOs with many associations,” said Nyangoma.

The members also complained that the lockdown and the prolonged dry spell also constrained their recoveries.

Simon Kyomuhendo also a beneficiary blamed the government for bringing the money at the wrong time saying that the money was brought to them during campaign time.

“Many people treated this money as a thank you. We would receive different politicians mobilizing people to form SACCOs to benefit. Some of them were telling people that the money was free. The propaganda in this program by politicians was too much,” said Kyomuhendo.

In his response, Businge promised to report everything as it was put by the members.

“I am going to make a comprehensive report which will be presented to parliament,” said Businge.

The MP promised to meet the veterans, youth, persons with disabilities, and the women separately in the course of this week.

Masindi district as a whole got Shs 1.6 billion which was disbursed to 54 SACCOs across the district and the municipality.

Emyooga is a Presidential Cluster Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation which was introduced in 2019.

The 19 clusters selected to benefit from the program include Boda-boda riders, salon owners, carpenters, and taxi operators, welders, market vendors, journalists, performing artists, mechanics among others.

Under the project, each SACCO is supposed to receive up to Shs 30m to be accessed as a revolving fund by members to boost their respective income-generating ventures, at an interest rate as low as 5% annually.

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SACCO leaders in Masindi disagree Over the 30 Percent Savings Emyooga requirement .

MASINDI – SACCO leaders in Masindi have disagreed over the 30 percent savings requirement to access loans from Emyooga SACCOs.

On Wednesday, Joab Businge, the Masindi municipality member of parliament held a consultative meeting with leaders of Emyooga SACCOs in Masindi municipality to ascertain how the program is progressing.

The members of parliament had been directed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Anita Among to undertake a fact-finding mission to assess the progress of the Emyooga program.

On the whole, Masindi district received Shs 1.6 billion; of which, Masindi municipality got Shs 559 million as seed capital.

According to the report presented by Robinah Nyangoma, the Masindi Municipality Commercial Officer, 18 Saccos were formed from 453 associations in the entire municipality, adding that so far Shs 257 million has been saved by different SACCOs and Shs 719 million has been disbursed to beneficiaries. She further added that Shs 57 million has been recovered from different SACCOs.

Notably, in the meeting that was held at Masindi municipality gardens; members had divergent perspectives on the issue of the 30 percent savings requirement for accessing loans from the Emyooga SACCOs. According to the policy, a member must have saved 30 percent of the money applied for before their loan application is approved.

Many members argued that this requirement was too much; persons with disabilities complained that the percentage is too much for them to afford, noting that it should be reduced to at least 10 percent. Others suggested that the requirement be reduced to 20 percent.

“A lot of money is stuck on our accounts because of this requirement,” a member stated.

Jim Agaba from the Masindi Municipality Constituency Saloon SACCO complained that they had no money to raise the percentage required and urged the authorities to reduce the savings requirements to enable people like her to access the money.

However, some members supported the savings requirement of 30 percent noting that it’s compelling the members to improve on their saving culture.

“The people who are complaining that the percentage is too much are the people who don’t want to save. This percentage is helping us grow our SACCOs. It should be maintained for the betterment of our SACCOs. This also acts as security for the members who want to default,” said Isingoma Cleophas, the Chairperson, Masindi Municipality Tailors SACCO.

The disagreement on the percentage has been brought about by different politicians and some program officers who tell beneficiaries uncoordinated information.

Businge, the area member of parliament blamed the leaders and program officers for giving people uncoordinated information, saying that this will lead to the collapse of the program.

“As leaders, we should all speak one language if the program is to yield fruits. As leaders, stop misleading people. Proper information must be given to the people because what we need are positive results. People should stop politicizing this program,” said Businge.

Other challenges

Members also complained that some SACCOs have very many associations explaining that the Shs 30 million given to such SACCOs is of no help.

Fatuma Nyangoma, the Treasurer, Masindi Municipality Constituency Producers’ SACCO said they are comprised of more than 200 associations explaining that Shs 30 million was like a drop of milk in the ocean.

“We gave out money and it got over. The associations need money but there’s nothing and they’re active and saving. Rotating around all these SACCOs with only Shs 30 million is not realistic. We pray that government reconsiders SACCOs with many associations,” said Nyangoma.

The members also complained that the lockdown and the prolonged dry spell also constrained their recoveries.

Simon Kyomuhendo also a beneficiary blamed the government for bringing the money at the wrong time saying that the money was brought to them during campaign time.

“Many people treated this money as a thank you. We would receive different politicians mobilizing people to form SACCOs to benefit. Some of them were telling people that the money was free. The propaganda in this program by politicians was too much,” said Kyomuhendo.

In his response, Businge promised to report everything as it was put by the members.

“I am going to make a comprehensive report which will be presented to parliament,” said Businge.

The MP promised to meet the veterans, youth, persons with disabilities, and the women separately in the course of this week.

Masindi district as a whole got Shs 1.6 billion which was disbursed to 54 Saccos across the district and the municipality.

Emyooga is a Presidential Cluster Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation which was introduced in 2019.

The 19 clusters selected to benefit from the program include Boda-boda riders, salon owners, carpenters, and taxi operators, welders, market vendors, journalists, performing artists, mechanics among others.

Under the project, each SACCO is supposed to receive up to Shs 30m to be accessed as a revolving fund by members to boost their respective income-generating ventures, at an interest rate as low as 5 percent annually.

End.

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SACCO leaders in Masindi disagree over the 30 percent Emyooga savings requirement

MASINDI – SACCO leaders in Masindi have disagreed over the 30 percent savings requirement to access loans from Emyooga SACCOs.

On Wednesday, Joab Businge, the Masindi municipality member of parliament held a consultative meeting with leaders of Emyooga SACCOs in Masindi municipality to ascertain how the program is progressing.

The members of parliament had been directed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Anita Among to undertake a fact-finding mission to assess the progress of the Emyooga program.

On the whole, Masindi district received Shs 1.6 billion; of which, Masindi municipality got Shs 559 million as seed capital.

According to the report presented by Robinah Nyangoma, the Masindi Municipality Commercial Officer, 18 Saccos were formed from 453 associations in the entire municipality, adding that so far Shs 257 million has been saved by different SACCOs and Shs 719 million has been disbursed to beneficiaries. She further added that Shs 57 million has been recovered from different SACCOs.

Notably, in the meeting that was held at Masindi municipality gardens; members had divergent perspectives on the issue of the 30 percent savings requirement for accessing loans from the Emyooga SACCOs. According to the policy, a member must have saved 30 percent of the money applied for before their loan application is approved.

Many members argued that this requirement was too much; persons with disabilities complained that the percentage is too much for them to afford, noting that it should be reduced to at least 10 percent. Others suggested that the requirement be reduced to 20 percent.

“A lot of money is stuck on our accounts because of this requirement,” a member stated.

Jim Agaba from the Masindi Municipality Constituency Saloon SACCO complained that they had no money to raise the percentage required and urged the authorities to reduce the savings requirements to enable people like her to access the money.

However, some members supported the savings requirement of 30 percent noting that it’s compelling the members to improve on their saving culture.

“The people who are complaining that the percentage is too much are the people who don’t want to save. This percentage is helping us grow our SACCOs. It should be maintained for the betterment of our SACCOs. This also acts as security for the members who want to default,” said Isingoma Cleophas, the Chairperson, Masindi Municipality Tailors SACCO.

The disagreement on the percentage has been brought about by different politicians and some program officers who tell beneficiaries uncoordinated information.

Businge, the area member of parliament blamed the leaders and program officers for giving people uncoordinated information, saying that this will lead to the collapse of the program.

“As leaders, we should all speak one language if the program is to yield fruits. As leaders, stop misleading people. Proper information must be given to the people because what we need are positive results. People should stop politicizing this program,” said Businge.

Other challenges

Members also complained that some SACCOs have very many associations explaining that the Shs 30 million given to such SACCOs is of no help.

Fatuma Nyangoma, the Treasurer, Masindi Municipality Constituency Producers’ SACCO said they are comprised of more than 200 associations explaining that Shs 30 million was like a drop of milk in the ocean.

“We gave out money and it got over. The associations need money but there’s nothing and they’re active and saving. Rotating around all these SACCOs with only Shs 30 million is not realistic. We pray that government reconsiders SACCOs with many associations,” said Nyangoma.

The members also complained that the lockdown and the prolonged dry spell also constrained their recoveries.

Simon Kyomuhendo also a beneficiary blamed the government for bringing the money at the wrong time saying that the money was brought to them during campaign time.

“Many people treated this money as a thank you. We would receive different politicians mobilizing people to form SACCOs to benefit. Some of them were telling people that the money was free. The propaganda in this program by politicians was too much,” said Kyomuhendo.

In his response, Businge promised to report everything as it was put by the members.

“I am going to make a comprehensive report which will be presented to parliament,” said Businge.

The MP promised to meet the veterans, youth, persons with disabilities, and the women separately in the course of this week.

Masindi district as a whole got Shs 1.6 billion which was disbursed to 54 Saccos across the district and the municipality.

Emyooga is a Presidential Cluster Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation which was introduced in 2019.

The 19 clusters selected to benefit from the program include Boda-boda riders, salon owners, carpenters, and taxi operators, welders, market vendors, journalists, performing artists, mechanics among others.

Under the project, each SACCO is supposed to receive up to Shs 30m to be accessed as a revolving fund by members to boost their respective income-generating ventures, at an interest rate as low as 5 percent annually.

End.

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Soroti district receives 11 iPads to improve farmers information management

SOROTI – Soroti district has received 11 iPads from the Ministry of Agriculture to help in data collection. This will greatly improve information management under the government’s Agriculture Cluster Development Project.

According to Mr. Abraham Ekwaru, Soroti district’s Communications Officer, the iPads will help in gathering information from farmers so as to improve their productivity.

“We are happy as a district that we have received these iPads which we hope will improve on the farmer’s productivity,” Ekwaru said.

He called upon the farmers to be cooperative as they implement this project in the district.

He further added that these iPads are to be given to the community-based focal persons who are going to help in the Government’s Program of Agriculture Cluster Development of whose main objective is to increase crop production.

Soroti cluster is mainly dealing in cassava, rice, beans, coffee, and maize.

Soroti Farmers Urged To Embrace Irrigation
Soroti fruits factory set to resume buying fruits

Meanwhile, William Enyaku the Production Officer [Soroti] says, it’s important that farmers are availed with the cassava cuttings for planting.

“We expect to get some seeds for planting since cassava cuttings are not due right now,” Enyaku says.

In an interview with theCooperator, Enyaku said that the worrying bit is that they have not developed their farmers to a level of using irrigation as a means to come out of such emergencies.

Moses Okello, the Soroti District Agricultural Officer acknowledged that nine community-based focal persons [CBF] were last week trained from different Sub Counties on how to collect data.

He however said that after ten days of collecting data, the iPads will be kept at the district for future use in case of any other work-related data collection.

Daniel Eberu, a CBF in Arapai Sub County is grateful for this initiative. He complimented the initiative saying, it has lessened their work as paperwork could take long when it came to recording data.

He said so far, the reception from the community is good and the program will help them to always assess and collect vital information from the farmers.

Robert Okello, a farmer from Odudui parish, Arapai Sub County is glad to be among those the CBFs have reached out to say it will encourage them to grow more and reap highly.

Okello grows rice, maize, cassava, and beans but says the last season was not good at all.

End.

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Government Procures Tractors for Gulu Archdiocese for Cassava Production

GULU – The government through the National Agricultural Advisory Services [NAADS] has procured five tractors for Gulu Archdiocese for cassava production.

The support is channeled to Acholi Bur Cooperative; a pilot cassava production project established at Acholi Bur Sub County in Pader District under the stewardship of the Gulu Archdiocese.

The Executive Director, National Agricultural Advisory Services, Samuel Mugasi disclosed in a recent interview with theCooperator that the tractors were procured in 2020/2021 financial year.

His Grace John Baptist Odama, however, noted that the diocese had requested 10 tractors for supporting the cooperative farmers on commercialization and industrialization of cassava farming.

Odama further explained that the diocese equally asked the government to support the farmers with 400 bulls (oxen).

“I commend the government for the support but the focus should be on the commercialization of farming and industrialization if we are to fight poverty in the region” Odama added.

Fr. Mathew Lagoro Okun, the Manager Acholi Bur Cooperative Society which is piloting the cassava commercialization and industrialization is hopeful for better outcomes of the project.

Lagoro disclosed that the cooperative has enrolled 9,000 farmers with 4,500 members from Pader district while others are scattered in the other 7 districts in Acholi Sub Region.

He further revealed that the government has informed the diocese about the delivery of the tractors adding that each of the farmers is expected to plant two hectares of cassava this year.

“We are focusing on protecting the local farmers from exploitation by the middlemen and industrialization can play the role when cooperatives are strengthened” Fr. Lagoro explained.

Toni Ocan, a member of Acholi Bur Cooperatives says that most of the members are struggling to find the market for their products due to a lack of agro-processing plants for value addition.

Ocan explained that the members of the cooperative used to sell their products to the middlemen at cheaper prices calling it a demotivation in farming.

Ocan explained that the farmers are selling off a kilogram of dry cassava at Shs 200; the sale he says can improve to more than Shs 500 shillings when farmers are allowed to sell directly to the industry.

Jackie Akao, another cassava farmer in Gulu district at Palaro Sub County with 90 hectares of cassava plantation, has appealed to the government to establish an agro-processing industry in the region.

The Acholi Bur cassava commercialized production was launched in 2018 in Pader district as a model project for mass cassava production in Acholi Sub Region under Gulu Archdiocese.

The report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries indicate that the government has spent Shs 8 billion to support cooperatives in the last four years.

At least Shs 2 billion was allocated in the 2018/2019 financial year; Shs 6 billion in the subsequent years while more Shs 3 billion was then allocated for cassava cuttings in this financial year.

End.

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Why Roko Failed to Complete Construction of Mbarara Central Market

MBARARA – The construction of Mbarara Central Market by Roko Construction Company has stalled since 2018.

The construction of this regional market situated in the heart of Mbarara City started in February 2018 among other central and auxiliary markets in Busia, Masaka, Kasese, Arua, Soroti, Moroto, Tororo, Kitgum and Lugazi.

Most of these markets are now complete and commissioned for use while Mbarara Central Market has stalled for almost 3 years.

The project is among the presidential pledges under the Markets and Agriculture Trade Improvement Project (MATIP) funded by USD 84.2M (about Shs 284b) loan sourced from the African Development Bank (ADB) and USD 9.52M (about Shs 32b) contributed by the government meant to alleviate poverty and improvement of agricultural trade.

Mbarara central market was contracted to Roko Construction Company at a contract sum of Shs 21,111,929,638 and construction was supposed to be complete by October 9, 2020.

https://thecooperator.news/mbarara-central-market-completion-extended-again/

Three years down the road, the market is still incomplete leaving vendors uncertain when they will occupy their original premises.

In response, Eng. Stuart Kasibante, Roko’s Project Manager told theCooperator that the delays were caused by three distinct reasons which include; change of design, regional blocks and Covid-19.

“A lot of things were changed to suit the customized requirements of the stakeholders. That shouldn’t have taken forever for us to resolve but as we were resolving that, then Covid-19 came and that stoppage of time has taken about 18 months.”

He adds that the company got a knock-on regional block which affected Roko’s financial muscle for several months in its operations.

“We had activities running in Rwanda and South Sudan but now a lot of policy shifts happened in the republic of Rwanda as well as the instabilities in Southern Sudan which gave us a lot of financial knocks. These also happen to coincide with the Lubowa project and in combination of this, Roko lost a lot of money that didn’t get help with the emergence of Covid-19,” Kasibante explained.

He also blamed the government on cash flow delays which equally affected the contract period for 6 months.

“When we started in 2018, our pace was to deliver the market in just 15 months but we have suffered a lot of internal challenges which are also hitting other local contractors both big and intermediate,” Kasibante said.

The company was demanding the government to finance the gap totaling to Shs 2.2billion equivalent to the certified works in phase three.

“We had financial setbacks and we are requesting for a boost from our client. For example, with this particular payment, the contractor received it on Tuesday last week whereas the application for payment was made quite substantially a little while ago,” says Kasibante.

“And you realise that when a lot of money is held within the system, certainly it affects your cash flows and we are in a situation where every entity has been affected by Covid-19,” he adds.

Kasibante says the cost of doing business for local contractors in Uganda is high and is requesting the government to take a keen look and consider supporting home ground entities like Roko.

“The bank line in Uganda is a little bit longer and if projects are to be helped, this has to be given considerable attention. Like processing a guarantee from our commercial banks here took several months yet all details and requirements were submitted but it is still too prohibitive for any local contractor to operate,” Kasibante emphasized.

He says Roko was lucky enough to have some little financial muscle to absorb some of these challenges thus guaranteeing vendors to hand over the market come 29th September 2021.

“All these issues have been resolved and we are now in better state because with Covid-19, we now have substantial open ups that can accommodate works, the payment for the previous works completed, a lot of activities are ongoing and materials have arrived. So to my brothers and sisters in the market community, in terms of progress and delivery of the market, we hope in 60 days from now we should be able to hand over to you this market,” Kasibante promised.

However, Emmanuel Mwebaze, the site supervisor confirmed that Roko failed on a contract condition of performing guarantee of Shs 2.1billion in 2020 which delayed them from getting phased payment in time.

“The contractor failed to furnish us with a renewed performance guarantee that curtailed the cash flow hence they lacked resources to work continuously because we could not pay without an active guarantee,” says Mwebaze.

Regarding the souring market saga, numerous contract extensions sparked off bitter exchanges between politicians, technocrats and the contractor while vendors called for contract termination as Roko failed to finish in time.

Vendors also threatened to demonstrate which forced a number of government officials including the ministers in charge of local government to intervene occasionally.

Like on 9th July, 2020, the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi ultimately ordered for a commitment from Roko Construction Company towards completion of works within weeks’ time.

Magezi had attributed the delays to slow works caused by a few workers on site.

On 13th April, 2021, State Minister for Local Government, Jennifer Namuyangu also visited the market facility. She was equally disappointed with the contractor’s delays to hand over the market to the vendors for effective utilization.

And last week on Wednesday, the newly appointed State Minister for Local Government Victorias Busingye also travelled to Mbarara to check on work at the central market.

Busingye confirmed that the previous directives never caused any positivity to the market completion.

The State Minister was furious at the company manager who was boasting that Roko has a number of sites including the ongoing expansion of the parliamentary chambers.

“We are annoyed because you can’t tell me the market is getting finished within two months when the roofing is not yet started and with the small number of workers you have on site,” she bitterly replied.

“Why do you take on all those contracts when you don’t have the financial muscle? Why should we allow people to get more than one contract? We are going to sanction and charge the contractor and if that is not the position agreed on then we’ve started the process of terminating the contract,” Busingye added.

She says Masaka is also grappling with similar contract challenges over the completion of the city market as well.

“When I was in Masaka, we agreed with the contractor to finish pieces of work for every given period,” says Busingye.

Way forward

Basing on project delays, the state minister advised the government to revise the contract agreements in order to check on contractors who play around with government facilities.

“What I am going to carry on to the ministry of local government is revision of contract agreements. Let’s revise contracts such that if someone fails to work, then we confiscate his property because we would be going to foot an expense of contracting another contractor,” says Busingye.

“Technocrats design a change that pins such contractors. I expect that revision to be made and submitted and we table it to cabinet and it adapts it. People should stop dilly darling around the money the government is sweating for to uplift the standards of our local people,” She adds.

Muhammad Nyombi, the Chairperson, Mbarara Central Market Vendors Association appealed to the government to amend the 1942 Markets Act allowing vendors to do business according to the current standards.

“We are still operating under the backward laws on markets which need to be amended. Like now modern markets have been constructed which allow us to operate past mid-night but the old version of the market act orders us to close at 7pm,” says Nyombi.

However, in response, Minister Busingye confirmed that the issue of the market policies is already being worked on in parliament.

“I want to assure you that the Markets’ Act is being reviewed and it’s at the level of a bill to be considered by parliament, so any time the results will be out,” says the state minister.

Busingye adds that she is determined to team up with the president and other government officials to fight corruption.

“Corruption is not going to be fought by only politicians. Technocrats, residents, the ministry and the auditors we all have to fight corruption and erase it out of Uganda. So, fighting corruption should be on everybody’s menu because when things go wrong it’s our people to lose. So don’t allow the government to be soiled because of our own weaknesses,” she explained.

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Hoima Sugar Ltd Activities Halted Over Land Wrangles

KIKUUBE – Kikuube district leaders have intervened into the land wrangle between the residents of Kabwoya sub-county in Kikuube district and Hoima Sugar Company Ltd,an Indian owned company.

The district leaders led by Vincent Alpha Opio, the Kikuube district vice chairman on Thursday last week rushed to Kabwoya sub-county after the residents from the villages of Rwenkobe, Kanyegaramire and Rwembaho invaded the gardens prepared by Hoima Sugar Company Ltd and started planting their crops such as beans, sorghum and maize.

The residents invaded the company gardens two days after they stormed the offices of Kikuube district local government protesting the on-going alleged grabbing of their land by the sugar company.

A group of more than 40 residents led by their Local Council 1 chairperson stormed the district headquarters accusing the company of invading their villages and grading their gardens and homes.

They demanded that the district leadership intervene into their concerns and threatened to take the law into their hands if the latter continues to keep a deaf ear.

After three days without seeing any leader on the ground, the residents turned violent and invaded the gardens prepared by the company and started planting beans, maize and sorghum.

In 2017, Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom offered 22 square miles for a 99-years lease to Hoima Sugar Company Limited, to grow sugarcane.

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National Forestry Authority (NFA) dragged Hoima Sugar Company Limited to court challenging the occupancy and claiming that the land was part of Bugoma forest reserve but on 25th April, 2019; Masindi High Court ruled that Hoima Sugar Company Limited was the rightful occupant of the 22 square miles of land.

This ruling resulted into massive protests from the residents and environmental activists across the globe that included European Union (EU) Ambassadors who last year visited the forest and condemned all those behind the destruction of the forest for sugarcane growing.

The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) denied Hoima Sugar Company Limited 13 square miles and allowed it only nine square miles out of the 21 square miles, which NEMA deemed fit for human activity since it was a grassland (no forest cover).

However, the residents adjusted the land claims against the sugar company using the land allocated by NEMA arguing that the company was instead encroaching on their land.

This forced the district leaders to visit the area and make some directives to the residents and Hoima Sugar Company Ltd to end the standoff.

Speaking to theCooperator, Vincent Opio the district boss explained that the management of Hoima Sugar Company Ltd was ordered to stop all its activities on the contested land.

He added that they also ordered the residents to vacate the gardens prepared by the company to avoid confrontation with security personnels guarding the machines of the company.

According to Opio, the district leaders asked the two parties to give the district two weeks to investigate the matter and ascertain the rightful owner of the contested piece of land.

“We are asking the residents to be patient for two weeks; in these two weeks, we shall request the Ministry of Lands to come and help us open up boundaries in order to know where the land which NEMA allocated to Hoima Sugar Company Ltd starts and ends.”

We do not want anybody to go and destroy the property of the Indians on site and in the same way, the Indians (Hoima Sugar Company Ltd) should not use excessive force and security to harass the residents,” he said.

Opio added that they also ordered Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) officers commanded by a one, Col Morgan Mpeka to stop harassing residents and allow them to access their gardens and water sources.

We found out that the security personnels, who were deployed in the area, were denying residents access to water sources and their gardens. So we ordered them to protect the property of the company and leave the residents to move freely in their villages.

Nicolas Kiiza, Kikuube district Workers Councilor and Secretary for Production warned the residents against taking the law in their hands and demanded that the two parties present documents of the ownership on the contested land.

He added that a committee was formed to investigate the claimed ownership of land between the residents and the Sugar Company.

However, the residents challenged the district leaders to expedite the investigation process claiming that they are not ready to lose even an inch of land the sugar company.

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Youth Challenged to Promote Food Security

MASINDI – Youth leaders in Bunyoro sub-region have called upon their fellow youths to participate in the fight against food insecurity.

They made the call on Wednesday during a moot parliament for youth leaders in the region which was organised by Recreation for Development and Peace (RDP) Uganda, a youth-based organization at Biija hotel in Masindi town.

The youths are slated to celebrate International Youths’ Day on August 12, 2021 under the theme: Transforming food systems; Youths’ innovation for human and planetary health.

This year’s international youth day theme highlights the fact that, the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without meaningful participation of the people.

In his presentation to the moot parliament, Joseph Rusenjule, a youth leader from Budongo sub- county said, youths have roles to play in promoting food security, adding that the youths need to engage themselves in the agricultural sector.

“This includes the youths being part and partial of all processes needed in the production of food so that they can physically and positively contribute towards food production,” he said.

Rusenjule also noted that youth’s adaptation to value addition mechanism is critical noting that this will help in preserving perishable items such as vegetables, fruits so that their life span is prolonged.

“The youths also need to respond to better farming systems such as use of agro-inputs like manure, fertilizers such that when used, eases multiple food production despite challenges of drought and the climatic change,” he explained.

He also advised the youth in urban areas to focus on having life skills based on sustainable agriculture projects such as the court yard system.

“This can be done by planting in sacks, old clothes and tins,” he explained.

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Jackson Mukasa, a youth leader from Pakanyi sub-county said, the youth are so much willing to participate in the promotion of food security, adding that there are factors curtailing them to participate in agriculture.

“For instance, most of us have been hit by this prolonged dry spell. We have made losses but I have not seen the government coming to help us. It’s high time the government thought of supporting farmers with small irrigation systems. The government should also extend piped water to rural areas. I am sure from this point we can improvise in case there’s a dry spell,” appealed Mukasa.

Mukasa also said that the issue of price instabilities is also hindering many youth from participating in the sector.

“I am appealing to the government to look into the issues of prices. This will encourage more youth to join the sector,” he said.

He also asked the government to look into the issue of subsidising on most of the agricultural materials.

Godfrey Bahemuka, the Masindi district, Community Development Officer (CDO), advised the youth to work on the issue of mindset change if they’re to succeed.

“Many youth have a negative attitude towards agriculture and other government programs like the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship (UWEP), Emyooga among other programs. You have not yet embraced these programs and yet they’re there to help you,” Bahemuka said.

He also advised the youth to involve themselves in saving groups and to always have a vision for what they want.

“The vision will help you not to mismanage the money saved,” he advised.

Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi district LCV Chairperson advised the youth to start investing early and to invest in long term investments.

“Stop being dependants. When you’re investing, start small you will succeed,” he advised.

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