By Atwakiire Micheal
Mbarara: President Yoweri Museveni has called on the people of the Ankole Sub-Region in South Western Uganda to stop the vice of disrupting the flow of River Rwizi.
The President
made the call on Friday 26 July 2019 during a live radio talk show at Mbarara
State Lodge as he continues his countrywide tour to sensitize wananchi on
wealth and job creation campaign.
“The Government will not use force to expel the people who have encroached the
River Rwizi banks. They should vacate peacefully. We shall do all it takes to
protect the river by restoring the vegetation lost at the hands of people who
fail to respect the environment,” he vowed.
Mr. Museveni said that Government was looking at possibilities of tapping
water from River Kagera in Isingiro District to address the increasing water
demands particularly from the industries in Mbarara and other areas in the
region. He advised the people to establish fishponds off the banks of the
wetlands so that they are able to generate income for their families without
degrading the environment. (https://stratnewsglobal.com)
The
President, who was responding to questions concerning the Coffee Bill, refuted
allegations that there were plans to introduce licenses for coffee growers. He
clarified that Government only wants the registration of coffee to ensure
production of good quality coffee and stop the risk of compromising the
country’s reputation of quality coffee on the global market. He reminded the
people of Ankole Sub-Region and Ugandans at large that coffee buyers are
interested in the maintenance of good quality coffee adding that the current
target was to eliminate the middleman in order to ensure that the farmers
maximize their returns from coffee.
Regarding
the tourism sector, the President said NRM Government is keen to develop the various
tourist sites in the country order to further boost and strengthen the sector.
He noted that tourism is one of the major areas that play a leading role in the
national economy.
President
Museveni allayed fears of livestock farmers over suffering losses from ticks
that are becoming resistant to acaricides due to misuse of livestock drugs. He
called on veterinary personnel to enlighten farmers on the correct means of
administering livestock drugs to avoid compromising efficacy of the drugs.
Regarding job
and wealth creation struggle, the President reminded the people of Ankole
Sub-Region that they must work and ensure both food and income security for
their families. He advised them to embrace the 4-acre production plan that
facilitates enhanced productivity adding that cultivation of fruits mangoes,
oranges and pineapples, coffee, pasture for zero dairy grazing, poultry and
piggery for non-Muslims, on top of food crops, will go a long way in securing
families food and income security.
The
President Museveni also cautioned against the vice of land fragmentation that
has affected some families, most especially after the death of family heads. He
advised wananchi to utilize the available family land and other properties in a
consolidated manner and only share the profits from those consolidated
properties for long term gains.
He revealed that Government has established a number of funds to expand the availability of working capital. He enumerated the Industrial Fund to be used for establishment of industries in all the zones in Uganda as one of the numerous funds adding that the various production sectors would be funded through their SACCOs. He also said plans were underway to establish a Leaders’ Fund to enable elected people access working capital.
