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@observer Mon, 28 Oct 2024 06:55:15

Museveni defends dissolving Uganda Coffee Development Authority

President Yoweri Museveni has vigorously defended his government’s decision to collapse the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), downplaying the role it has played over the years in coffee development. In a seven-page response to the opposition against rationalizing UCDA, Museveni said Operation Wealth Creation (OWC0 which is under his brother Gen Salim Saleh and himself has done in a few years more than what UCDA was created to improve coffee productivity and marketability.  “If UCDA and NAADS were successful, why were 68% of the homesteads still outside the money economy by 2013? OWC did much more work than NAADS and UCDA and CDO combined. In the Masaka area, Col Nsamba, has distributed 1,000,074, coffee seedlings and caused the planting of 38,666.6 acres of coffee. OWC also gave out other planting and breeding materials: tea, fruits, pigs, cassava, etc., etc. That is how, for the first time in the history of Uganda, the number of the households in the money economy, is now 67% and those outside the money economy are 33%,” Museveni said. He added that it is fraudulent for National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), UCDA, UDA among others to claim that the big boost in agricultural production is because of their efforts and that if they are not there, production will suffer. “I am the one who promoted the massive dairy production in the cattle corridor - all the way from Bukanga (Isingiro) to Karuma in Kiryandongo district. My dairy cattle evangelism would have reached the Karamoja border if leaders were humble enough to learn new things. I have been bringing delegations from all over Uganda to learn from the success in the cattle corridor to Rwakyitura, Kisozi, Nyakaana, Mrs. Kizza of Masaka etc. It is only Speaker Anita Among who promptly copied my example of cattle rearing when she visited me at Kisozi. She has now more than 1000 cattle,” Museveni said. The president also castigated what he called tribalism that has characterized, the debate on coffee. There has been stiff opposition from MPs from Buganda over the rationalizing of UCDA. The MPs have argued that doing so will adversely affect coffee production in the region. But Museveni wouldn’t have any of it.   “To be condemned, are those who I hear try to bring in the nonsensical tribalism. When Katikkiro Mayiga joined us in promoting coffee, we welcomed him. However, as OWC demonstrated, we were already moving…It is, therefore, sheer dishonesty, to bring up tribalism where the NRM is involved. The massive industries the NRM has built, are mainly in Buganda-Namanve, Mukono, Kapeeka, Matugga- Gombe area, Luwero Industries in Nakasongola, Kisozi, etc. These have direct benefit to nearby populations if they are well guided to take advantage of them,” Museveni said. Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga said it was obvious that the Coffee Amendment Bill was targeting Buganda. He said, however, this should just encourage Baganda and other people of Uganda to continue growing coffee. Parliament stayed the second reading of the Coffee Bill after a raucous session from the opposition MPs accusing the government of trying to push through a “poisonous” amendment.    {loadposition inarticle}

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@observer Mon, 28 Oct 2024 06:29:05

Death toll in Kigoogwa fuel tanker explosion rises to 24

The death toll from the tragic Kigoogwa town fuel tanker explosion has increased to 24 as police on Sunday handed over 11 identified bodies to their families. The incident occurred last Tuesday when a tanker, registration number, UAM 292Q, en route from Kampala to Gulu, overturned and subsequently ignited. The explosion happened as bystanders attempted to siphon fuel from the leaking tanker, killing 11 people instantly and injuring many others. The fire also spread to nearby homes, where additional victims suffocated due to the intense smoke and flames. At least 26 injured persons were rushed to Kiruddu hospital and Bombo Military hospital for treatment. Dr Moses Byaruhanga, police director of health services, said the death toll comprised 18 men and six women. He said due to severe burns, some bodies were charred beyond recognition, necessitating DNA testing to identify the victims. Yesterday Sunday, the police returned 11 bodies to bereaved families at Mulago City Mortuary after matching DNA test results with family members. Some of the deceased who died in hospitals had already been handed over to their families, while three feet belonging to unidentified children remain at the mortuary, awaiting further DNA testing. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja was represented by minister of State for National Guidance Godfrey Kabbyanga during the handover ceremony. Kabbyanga announced that the government had provided Shs 5 million to each bereaved family to assist with burial expenses. He also mentioned plans to support business owners who lost property in the fire. Efforts to locate the fuel tanker’s driver, who is wanted for further investigations, are ongoing. The sombre atmosphere was palpable throughout Kigoogwa as families prepared for burials on Sunday. Identified victims included Joseph Muwonge, 24; Teddy Nakamya, 26, and her daughters, Chelsea Nakayaga, 5, and Polly Namutebi, 3, who tragically died in their home; as well as Gloria Namukose, Lubega Mahad, Samuel Matutu Morgan, 25; Alex Ssendi, 32; and Ahmed Ssemwezi, 22, among others. {loadposition inarticle}

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