Bwijanga Launches Construction Of A Coffee Processing Machine

MASINDI – Bwijanga Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society Limited in Bwijanga Sub County, Masindi district has launched the construction of a coffee processing machine.

According to the Masindi District Engineer, Atugonza Ramek the construction work of the coffee processing machine is going to be conducted by Kona Construction Company Limited and will be supervised by Masindi District Local Government Authorities.

“The facility will house the coffee processing machine, offices and the store. We are also going to construct a one stance latrine,” the engineer explained on Wednesday during the ground breaking ceremony in Kikingura village Bwijanga sub-county.

Benedicto Ssensaga, the chairman of Bwijanga Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society Limited said that the Ministry of Agriculture sent them Shs 203 million under the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) to facilitate the establishment of the machine.

“We were tasked to contribute 33% before we are given the money. We successfully raised the percentage and we contributed it in form of materials,” explained Ssensaga.

He added that the machine is going to address the issue of market since they’re going to be able to add value to their coffee noting that they have not been benefiting from their coffee because they would sell it as a raw material.

https://thecooperator.news/performing-artiste-sacco-leaders-arrested/

“This machine is going to also boost coffee growing, create employment opportunities and also stir up development in the area. We thank the government for the support rendered to us. We are going to use this opportunity to develop ourselves,” he noted.

Mudede James, the LC III Chairperson Bwijanga sub-county asked the members of the cooperative to closely monitor the construction of the facility to avoid shoddy work.

“Make sure that you own this facility and closely monitor its construction. This facility is yours so make sure that you use it to change your lives,” said Mudede.

He also asked the contractor to give jobs to the local people such that the community can also benefit.

Nyendwoha Kiiza Kenneth the Member of Parliament Bujenje Constituency, challenged extension officers at Masindi District Local Government to help coffee cooperatives in the district to produce quality coffee which can be competed for in the market.

He said that many people are growing coffee but the quality being produced is bad because they don’t get extension services.

“We put a lot of emphasis on extension services because it’s necessary. Don’t stay in offices but also, you should go to the field and tell farmers what to do. Most of the farmers are there in the villages and they don’t know what to do,” stressed Nyendwoha.

Byaruhanga Cosmas, the Masindi district LCV said he has started achieving his mission of ensuring that cooperatives are uplifted.

“I told you during my term, I want to ensure that we have active cooperatives. I want to ensure that all cooperatives which collapsed are revived. We need to trace all these cooperatives to ensure that they are resurrected,” he explained.

Tibasimwa Dominic the Deputy Resident District Commissioner-DRDC Masindi pledged total support to the cooperative by the government noting that in case there’s any opportunity, they will be the first to be thought about.

Kikingura Coffee Farmers Cooperative which started in 2018 apparently has 1,050 active members and according to Ssensaga, this season they have experienced unreliable weather patterns which have significantly affected production more especially this season.

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Bwijanga Launches Construction Of A Coffee Processing Machine

MASINDI – Bwijanga Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society Limited in Bwijanga Sub County, Masindi district has launched the construction of a coffee processing machine.

According to the Masindi District Engineer, Atugonza Ramek the construction work of the coffee processing machine is going to be conducted by Kona Construction Company Limited and will be supervised by Masindi District Local Government Authorities.

“The facility will house the coffee processing machine, offices and the store. We are also going to construct a one stance latrine,” the engineer explained on Wednesday during the ground breaking ceremony in Kikingura village Bwijanga sub-county.

Benedicto Ssensaga, the chairman of Bwijanga Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society Limited said that the Ministry of Agriculture sent them Shs 203 million under the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) to facilitate the establishment of the machine.

“We were tasked to contribute 33% before we are given the money. We successfully raised the percentage and we contributed it in form of materials,” explained Ssensaga.

He added that the machine is going to address the issue of market since they’re going to be able to add value to their coffee noting that they have not been benefiting from their coffee because they would sell it as a raw material.

https://thecooperator.news/performing-artiste-sacco-leaders-arrested/

“This machine is going to also boost coffee growing, create employment opportunities and also stir up development in the area. We thank the government for the support rendered to us. We are going to use this opportunity to develop ourselves,” he noted.

Mudede James, the LC III Chairperson Bwijanga sub-county asked the members of the cooperative to closely monitor the construction of the facility to avoid shoddy work.

“Make sure that you own this facility and closely monitor its construction. This facility is yours so make sure that you use it to change your lives,” said Mudede.

He also asked the contractor to give jobs to the local people such that the community can also benefit.

Nyendwoha Kiiza Kenneth the Member of Parliament Bujenje Constituency, challenged extension officers at Masindi District Local Government to help coffee cooperatives in the district to produce quality coffee which can be competed for in the market.

He said that many people are growing coffee but the quality being produced is bad because they don’t get extension services.

“We put a lot of emphasis on extension services because it’s necessary. Don’t stay in offices but also, you should go to the field and tell farmers what to do. Most of the farmers are there in the villages and they don’t know what to do,” stressed Nyendwoha.

Byaruhanga Cosmas, the Masindi district LCV said he has started achieving his mission of ensuring that cooperatives are uplifted.

“I told you during my term, I want to ensure that we have active cooperatives. I want to ensure that all cooperatives which collapsed are revived. We need to trace all these cooperatives to ensure that they are resurrected,” he explained.

Tibasimwa Dominic the Deputy Resident District Commissioner-DRDC Masindi pledged total support to the cooperative by the government noting that in case there’s any opportunity, they will be the first to be thought about.

Kikingura Coffee Farmers Cooperative which started in 2018 apparently has 1,050 active members and according to Ssensaga, this season they have experienced unreliable weather patterns which have significantly affected production more especially this season.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Gulu Cooperatives Lose Money To Fake Agricultural Deals.

GULU – Hundreds of cooperative farmers in Gulu district have lost millions of shillings to fake agricultural deals in the Agricultural Cluster Development Project (ACDP).

ACDP is a partner project of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and World Bank.

The project was rolled out in the country in 2017 to raise farm productivity, support value addition, widen market accessibility and capacity building for farmers.

The government mapped out 57 implementing districts in the geographic cluster with each cluster having a minimum of 5 districts and 150 million dollars was allocated for the project.

The 2020 report from Ministry of Agriculture indicates that up to shs 21.7 billion has so far been disbursed to support 111 farmer organizations in the 24 pilot districts.

https://thecooperator.news/masindi-youth-advised-to-form-cooperatives/

The districts include Amuru from Acholi Sub Region, Iganga from Central, Nebbi from West Nile Sub Region, Kalungu and Ntugamo from Western Uganda.

Gulu district among the implementing districts was aligned in cluster 6 with Oyam, Kole, Lira, Nwoya, Amuru and Apac to focus on maize, bean and Robusta coffee as enterprise crop selection.

In the arrangement, a beneficiary of the project is expected to meet 33% of project cost as the government provides 67% of services through an electronic voucher system.

However, whereas the project was designed within the National Development Plan III on poverty eradication; hundreds of farmers have lost millions of shillings to the project in Gulu district.

Moses Omony, the Chairperson Tidi Mamyero Farmers’ Cooperative in Bungatira Sub County alleged that the district has collected over shs 148 million from the different farmers but failed to provide the services.

Omony explained that each of the members was to get seeds, fertilizers, tents and other farm inputs in 2020, which have never been delivered as the district failed to account for the money collected.

Terencio Ocitti, a member of Pur Ber Cooperative Society, says he had paid Shs 148,500 for the fertilizers, seeds and tent but received none of the items for more than a year now.

“I have planted four hectares of beans without fertilizers and I can’t believe that the government can defraud us that way,” Ocitti told theCooperator in a recent interview.

Agnes Akwero, another farmer from Lawiyadul has expressed disappointment with the District Agricultural Department for failing the project whose objectives she says were beneficial.

Geoffrey Anywar, the Gulu District Agricultural Engineer distanced himself from the mess and blamed it on the project facilitators, whom he says were to identify the beneficiaries.

He disclosed that the lead project coordinator Simon Ocaka Lamex breached the project guidelines and collected an unspecified amount from the farmers and disappeared.

According to him, each of the farmers should have opened an account where a secret pin would be provided to deposit the money and then access the inputs from the government.

“The farmers didn’t follow the guidelines and opted for short cuts which we can’t tell how much money they have collected and lost to the facilitators,” Anywar said.

When summoned for three consecutive crisis meetings, Lamex admitted to collecting the money but asked the district to grant him time to look for the money and refund it.

The accused did not even disclose to the district officials on the number of the farmers he had reached out to and collected money from.

The district had set out a plan to auction his piece of land to recover the money within a period of two weeks as investigations into the number of the beneficiaries defrauded expanded.

Meanwhile, Christopher Opiyo Atekere, the Gulu district chairman similarly noted that the district has failed to access the password through which the farmers were registered.

According to the Agricultural Engineer, the district was to register about 5,000 farmers for the project while the paperwork is showing over 1,000 farmers have already been registered.

The Public Relations Manager for Ministry Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Charlotte Kemigyisha says the ministry is already following up on the irregularities in the project.

“We have been informed about the project and we shall be in the district soon to follow up on the allegations,” Kemigyisha disclosed to theCooperator.

The 4 year-project was scheduled to end in March last year with a total of 193 farmers organizations targeted to benefit but it was extended by one year following Covid-19 pandemic.

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Gulu Cooperatives Lose Money To Fake Agricultural Deals.

GULU – Hundreds of cooperative farmers in Gulu district have lost millions of shillings to fake agricultural deals in the Agricultural Cluster Development Project (ACDP).

ACDP is a partner project of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and World Bank.

The project was rolled out in the country in 2017 to raise farm productivity, support value addition, widen market accessibility and capacity building for farmers.

The government mapped out 57 implementing districts in the geographic cluster with each cluster having a minimum of 5 districts and 150 million dollars was allocated for the project.

The 2020 report from Ministry of Agriculture indicates that up to shs 21.7 billion has so far been disbursed to support 111 farmer organizations in the 24 pilot districts.

https://thecooperator.news/masindi-youth-advised-to-form-cooperatives/

The districts include Amuru from Acholi Sub Region, Iganga from Central, Nebbi from West Nile Sub Region, Kalungu and Ntugamo from Western Uganda.

Gulu district among the implementing districts was aligned in cluster 6 with Oyam, Kole, Lira, Nwoya, Amuru and Apac to focus on maize, bean and Robusta coffee as enterprise crop selection.

In the arrangement, a beneficiary of the project is expected to meet 33% of project cost as the government provides 67% of services through an electronic voucher system.

However, whereas the project was designed within the National Development Plan III on poverty eradication; hundreds of farmers have lost millions of shillings to the project in Gulu district.

Moses Omony, the Chairperson Tidi Mamyero Farmers’ Cooperative in Bungatira Sub County alleged that the district has collected over shs 148 million from the different farmers but failed to provide the services.

Omony explained that each of the members was to get seeds, fertilizers, tents and other farm inputs in 2020, which have never been delivered as the district failed to account for the money collected.

Terencio Ocitti, a member of Pur Ber Cooperative Society, says he had paid Shs 148,500 for the fertilizers, seeds and tent but received none of the items for more than a year now.

“I have planted four hectares of beans without fertilizers and I can’t believe that the government can defraud us that way,” Ocitti told theCooperator in a recent interview.

Agnes Akwero, another farmer from Lawiyadul has expressed disappointment with the District Agricultural Department for failing the project whose objectives she says were beneficial.

Geoffrey Anywar, the Gulu District Agricultural Engineer distanced himself from the mess and blamed it on the project facilitators, whom he says were to identify the beneficiaries.

He disclosed that the lead project coordinator Simon Ocaka Lamex breached the project guidelines and collected an unspecified amount from the farmers and disappeared.

According to him, each of the farmers should have opened an account where a secret pin would be provided to deposit the money and then access the inputs from the government.

“The farmers didn’t follow the guidelines and opted for short cuts which we can’t tell how much money they have collected and lost to the facilitators,” Anywar said.

When summoned for three consecutive crisis meetings, Lamex admitted to collecting the money but asked the district to grant him time to look for the money and refund it.

The accused did not even disclose to the district officials on the number of the farmers he had reached out to and collected money from.

The district had set out a plan to auction his piece of land to recover the money within a period of two weeks as investigations into the number of the beneficiaries defrauded expanded.

Meanwhile, Christopher Opiyo Atekere, the Gulu district chairman similarly noted that the district has failed to access the password through which the farmers were registered.

According to the Agricultural Engineer, the district was to register about 5,000 farmers for the project while the paperwork is showing over 1,000 farmers have already been registered.

The Public Relations Manager for Ministry Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Charlotte Kemigyisha says the ministry is already following up on the irregularities in the project.

“We have been informed about the project and we shall be in the district soon to follow up on the allegations,” Kemigyisha disclosed to theCooperator.

The 4 year-project was scheduled to end in March last year with a total of 193 farmers organizations targeted to benefit but it was extended by one year following Covid-19 pandemic.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Masindi Youth Advised To Form Cooperatives

MASINDI – The member of parliament for Bujenje County Kenneth Kiiza Nyendwoha has called upon the youth in Masindi district to form cooperatives to enable them tap into support from the government.

“Unity is the way to go if you are to develop. Stop working in isolation and form cooperative groups to help you share ideas. When you’re united and organized, everyone will look for you,” Nyendwoha explained.

Nyendwoha was speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of a maize milling facility for Bujenje Maize Farmers Cooperative Society Limited at Bikonzi village in Bikonzi Sub County at the end of last week.

He also gave them Shs 1 million cash to help the cooperative smoothly run its activities.

The Cooperative which was formed by the youth in the area received Shs 167 million under Agriculture Cluster Development Program (ACDP) to enable them add value to their maize production.

According to their budget, Shs 86 million is for the construction of the structure to house the facility while Shs 67 million is for the procurement of the maize processing machine.

“The money was given under ACDP and the beneficiaries were tasked to write more proposals so that they can access further funding. Their proposal was appreciated and that’s why you are seeing them getting money today,” said Richard Kiiza the principal assistant secretary to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

The members also contributed 33% which was one of the requisites for them to qualify for this funding.

Barbara Benya, the cooperative chairperson said, the facility is going to boost their income and also create market for maize in the area.

“We are going to use this chance to produce quality maize flour to enable us get enough market,” said Benya.

https://thecooperator.news/public-private-partnership-for-shea-value-addition/

Benya added that they’re currently 108 members adding that they started as a small association in 2018, after being organized by National Cooperatives Business Association (NCBA).

He also thanked Recreation for Development and Peace Uganda (RDPU), for giving them knowledge on how to make business plans to enable them start a small business enterprise.

RDPU is a youth-based organization that skills the youth in different areas in the districts of Masindi, Bulisa, Kikuube and Apac.

Benya said that the organization has helped them acquire leadership skills and knowledge on how to write business plans and proposals.

“This knowledge has helped us a lot to reach this stage,” the Chairperson added.

Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi district LCV Chairman who also graced the function asked the members of the cooperative to resourcefully utilize the facility to add value to their maize.

“I am imploring you to make a brand. I don’t want to see you selling maize in a raw form and yet you would be getting money from other bi- products. I am also warning you against mismanaging this project. Make sure that you have clear record keeping, transparency and accountability,” said Byaruhanga.

He added that many cooperatives which are starting now are not celebrating their first birthday day because of lack of honesty among the leaders and the need to pay themselves.

“Being a leader in a cooperative is a sacrifice once you deviate from that, just know you’re heading for collapse,” Byaruhanga added.

Presiding over the function, Dominic Tibasimwa, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Masindi promised to help more youths who are organized in groups and cooperatives to get support from the government.

The construction of the facility has already commenced and it will be supervised by Masindi district local government.

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Extension Officers Receive New Motorcycles

MASINDI – Masindi district has procured five brand new motorcycles in an effort to improve extension services and production in the district.

The UG Boss Motorcycles valued at Shs 31 million were procured using the agricultural extension grant and they are meant to facilitate the movement of the agricultural extension workers in the district.

While commissioning the motorcycles at the district headquarters on Thursday, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Masindi, Dominic Tibasimwa explained that the motorcycles are meant to enable the sub county extension workers reach the farmers at their respective farms and advised them on the right agronomic practices.

https://thecooperator.news/unbs-reduces-cost-of-product-certification/

“This is part of the government’s strategy to improve and promote commercial farming in the country. We need to ensure that farmers get extension services since they are necessary. I also realize that transport for extension office has been a challenge,” explained Tibasimwa.

Dr Fredrick Ssebuguzi, the acting District Production Officer revealed that some agricultural extension workers in the district have been facing challenges of transport since they did not have motorcycles.

“The motorcycles will solve the problem and increase agricultural production in the district. This has been a great challenge but I am optimistic that my officers are now going to reach the farmers,” he said.

He explained that the motorcycles have been allocated to the extension workers for Bwijanga, Budongo, Kimengo and Miirya sub-counties adding that the District Animal Husbandry Officer was also allocated one.

Richard Kiiza, the district Principle Assistant Secretary who represented the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) cautioned the users against misusing the motorcycles to enable them serve the intended purpose.

Geoffrey Kiiza Bigabwa, the secretary for production, marketing and natural resources in the district hailed the government for the efforts it has put in transforming the country’s economy through improved agricultural production.

Extension officers in the district had been complaining over lack of transport to effectively execute their work.

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Kagadi District Local Leaders Divided Over Tax

KAGADI – A bitter row has erupted between the district leaders of Kagadi over loading and unloading tax of agricultural products in the area.

The tax is levied on vehicles carrying agricultural produce and enforced at the borders of Kagadi district namely; Kyamutunzi, Paacwa and Buronzi. It is alleged that the tax collectors mount roadblocks at these border points to enforce the tax.

According to some receipts seen by theCooperator news, vehicles carrying agricultural produce and alcohol are being charged between shs 100,000 and shs 180,000.

The collection of this tax has caused disharmony among the leaders as the traders continue to protest against the tax.

Yosia B Ndibwami, the district Chairperson for Kagadi said that, this tax was passed by the previous district council following the Local Government Act.

He noted that this tax was being collected by town councils and sub-counties. However, the district took responsibility for collecting the tax after town councils and sub-counties failed to collect it due to inadequate staffing.

“We agreed that the district collects the tax at the border points and we also agreed to remit 65% of tax to the town councils and sub-counties after collection.” he explained, adding that the tax is lawful because the Local Government Act allows council to levy a tax and collect it.

He added that council also agreed that the tax be collected on vehicles carrying produce from the district at the exit points of the district.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Kagadi district, Mathias Ndifuna argued that the tax is lawful; adding only that, the collection mode is the one which is questionable.

“What is known is that this tax must be collected at the sub-county but not mounting road blocks on entry points of the district” Ndifuna said.

Some Kagadi district councilors disowned the disputed loading and offloading tax collection at the district border points.

https://thecooperator.news/ankole-diocese-partners-with-ucda-to-alleviate-poverty/

Speaking during a scientific council meeting held at Divine Hotel gardens on Tuesday, the councilors said council has never passed such a tax.

The councillors who included; Busobozi Moses, Councilor representing Kagadi Sub-County, Richard Namanya for Workers, Julius Twesigye for Mpeefu among others say the tax was banned during the regime of the former Kibaale district chairman George William Namyaka after the traders protested. They wondered how Kagadi district had resumed it.

The Councillors threatened to mobilize their electorates and storm the district headquarters if the current district leadership keeps a deaf ear to their concerns.

They allege that the offloading and loading taxes are being collected illegally since there is no contractor who secured the contract through legal terms.

Buyaga East Member of Parliament, Kagadi district Eric Musana Acaali, advised the Kagadi district local government to stop the tax which is levied on agricultural products with immediate effect.

Musana says the tax is negatively affecting farmers and business people mostly in this struggling time of Covid-19 where agricultural products are facing low prices in the market.

He threatened to forward the matter to the central government for action saying tax by roadblocks was abolished by president Museveni.

He said that such tax is also going to chase away the traders from the district which may leave farmers stuck with their produce.

“Given the above issues that I have mentioned, I advise the CAO and district Chairperson to stop collecting this tax immediately; if you fail to listen, as MPs we are going to get a way of stopping this because this kind of tax collection was abolished,” Musana warned.

Buyaga West MP Barnabasi Tinkasimiire and Kagadi district Woman MP Jennipher Mbabazi also protested that mode of tax collection.

They ordered Kagadi district local government authorities to immediately halt this road block tax collection, adding that this kind of tax is indirectly suffocating the local farmer.

“I do not see any viable reason why this current Kagadi district local government leadership led by Ndibwami should go ahead collecting such a tax; this primitive and ancient form of collecting tax which was last seen in President Idi Amin’s regime must stop,” said Tinkasimiire.

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Performing Artistes SACCO Leaders Arrested

NEBBI – Police in Nebbi are holding two leaders of Nebbi Municipality performing artistes Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) over theft of Shs 9.5 million Emyooga cash from the SACCO account.

The acting District Police Commander (DPC) Nebbi George Agume says, the treasurer and chairman of performing artiste SACCO were arrested last week and are under police custody for forging the signature of their SACCO’s secretary to withdraw Shs 9.5 million from the groups account in Centenary Bank, Nebbi branch.

Agume adds that, the duo are being charged on a theft offence and the file has already been sent to the Resident State Attorney to peruse through, thereafter they will be taken to court.

“We have received many cases of money being stolen by group leaders from the groups account but some of the cases are not reported to police,” Agume said.

He said there are negative misconceptions of Emyooga funds amongst the groups beneficiaries which link the funds to be free of charge.

On June 10th , 2021, the executive members of Nebbi Boda-boda SACCO Limited allegedly used their powers and withdrew Shs 20 million out of Shs 30 million that was disbursed on their SACCO’s account from Centenary Bank account without the consent of its group members.

One of the performing artistes, Kumakech Kamilio commonly known by stage name King’s Boy, their leaders started dodging the entire group members after they withdrew the money from the groups account.

https://thecooperator.news/fishermen-shot-by-congolese-militiamen/

He adds that, Nebbi performing artistes have six groups but out of six only five benefited from the funds putting the entire members of the SACCO in suspense over the mismanagement of the SACCO money.

“Each group was supposed to get Shs 2.5 million but when the money was withdrawn from the account by the two executive members, they disappeared and divided the money between themselves,” Kumakech said.

The deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Nebbi, Emma Okol Onyango had earlier on warned Emyooga funds beneficiaries not to personalize the funds but use the funds for boosting loan capital of group members.

He adds that anybody who will misuse the funds will be arrested and taken to jail and thereafter will be tasked to refund the money with interest.

“We are watching the behaviors of Emyooga funds beneficiaries who are turning the project to be personal instead of benefiting the entire group,” Onyango said.

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Performing Artistes SACCO Leaders Arrested

NEBBI – Police in Nebbi are holding two leaders of Nebbi Municipality performing artistes Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) over theft of Shs 9.5 million Emyooga cash from the SACCO account.

The acting District Police Commander (DPC) Nebbi George Agume says, the treasurer and chairman of performing artiste SACCO were arrested last week and are under police custody for forging the signature of their SACCO’s secretary to withdraw Shs 9.5 million from the groups account in Centenary Bank, Nebbi branch.

Agume adds that, the duo are being charged on a theft offence and the file has already been sent to the Resident State Attorney to peruse through, thereafter they will be taken to court.

“We have received many cases of money being stolen by group leaders from the groups account but some of the cases are not reported to police,” Agume said.

He said there are negative misconceptions of Emyooga funds amongst the groups beneficiaries which link the funds to be free of charge.

On June 10th , 2021, the executive members of Nebbi Boda-boda SACCO Limited allegedly used their powers and withdrew Shs 20 million out of Shs 30 million that was disbursed on their SACCO’s account from Centenary Bank account without the consent of its group members.

One of the performing artistes, Kumakech Kamilio commonly known by stage name King’s Boy, their leaders started dodging the entire group members after they withdrew the money from the groups account.

https://thecooperator.news/fishermen-shot-by-congolese-militiamen/

He adds that, Nebbi performing artistes have six groups but out of six only five benefited from the funds putting the entire members of the SACCO in suspense over the mismanagement of the SACCO money.

“Each group was supposed to get Shs 2.5 million but when the money was withdrawn from the account by the two executive members, they disappeared and divided the money between themselves,” Kumakech said.

The deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Nebbi, Emma Okol Onyango had earlier on warned Emyooga funds beneficiaries not to personalize the funds but use the funds for boosting loan capital of group members.

He adds that anybody who will misuse the funds will be arrested and taken to jail and thereafter will be tasked to refund the money with interest.

“We are watching the behaviors of Emyooga funds beneficiaries who are turning the project to be personal instead of benefiting the entire group,” Onyango said.

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Fish Farmers In Oyam Decry Counterfeit Feeds

OYAM – Livestock and grain farmers in Oyam district are looking at fish farming as a safety net against the increasingly erratic weather patterns, which have resulted in crop failure and animal deaths due to drought.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fish and related products contribute to food security through consumption, jobs creation, income and trade.

However, the farmers have complained that the feeds on the market are sub-standard and lead to stunted growth, affecting the profitability of the business.

The dealers have decried an increase in counterfeit feeds on the market, calling upon the government to intervene in the production of feeds.

In the past months, dealers in agro-inputs, especially fish feeds flocked markets in Oyam district, opening shops at various trading centers.

https://thecooperator.news/grape-farmers-demand-for-a-fgractory/

Solomon Odwee, a one of the farmers from Ogang Apur parish in Acaba Sub County lost nearly Shs 4 million after purchasing counterfeit feeds which killed almost all the fish in the pond.

“It is very difficult to differentiate the genuine feeds from the fake ones because most of the companies supplying the feeds bear the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) logo, this requires the intervention of extension officers in educating the farmers.” he said.

Joseph Alyai, a fish farmer in Iceme sub-county who doubles as the chairperson Oyam North Fishery Group blames the fish farmers for buying their feeds from dealers who have no idea about fish farming.

“I am currently buying feeds from Tororo; the problem is that many fish farmers prefer cheaper feeds which are sold by dealers who have no idea about fishing. I want to advise farmers to form groups in order to be able to purchase quality feeds,” he said in an interview.

Alex Enon, the Assistant District Commercial Officer says that his office has received several complaints from farmers about the quality of feeds. He blames the farmers for buying feeds from unlicensed retailers who sell counterfeit products.

Fish feeds contain soya bean meal, silverfish, rice bran, fish meal, earthworms, spirulina, and vitamins and minerals. These are mixed accordingly in certain percentages with protein foodstuffs highest at 30%.

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