By Alex Byakatonda
apearlnews.com
The government, via the Ministry of Agriculture, Animals, Industry, and Trade,
Fisheries (MAAIF), in partnership with the Ministry of Water and
Environment on Thursday commissioned the construction of an Irrigation
scheme in Mishundo A of Bugarama parish in Buhara Sub County, Kabale
district, as one way of offering alternative livelihood options to
farmers, who have been evicted from wetlands.
According to Dr. Willy Kakuru, the Building Resilient Communities,
National Parks and Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda
coordinator, in the Ministry of Water and Environment, the irrigation
scheme, which is expected to cost 582 million shillings, is targeting
enterprise farmer groups, under the Green Climate Fund.
The Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated
Catchments in Uganda, is being implemented in 24 districts in the
country, with support from United Nations Development Program and the
government of Uganda. The main aim of the project, is to restore and
sustainably manage wetlands, and support target areas in wetland areas
of Uganda, to reduce on the risk of Climate change, posed on
Agricultural-based livelihoods.
The coordinator of the irrigation project from –MAAIF, Eng. Andrew
Kato, said that the construction of the irrigation scheme will be
undertaken by BAATA Construction Company. He added that the irrigation
scheme project, will also include setting up of five fish ponds, solar
powered water pumping system, a project office and a VIP latrine among
others.
Eng Kato, added that the irrigation scheme, is meant to act as a
demonstration for the farmers evicted from wetlands, as one of the
alternative livelihood enterprises.
The Kabale University Secretary, Canon Johnson Baryantuma Munono, the
lead project beneficiary, who also offered over 30 Acres of land, to
accommodate the project, called on all concerned stakeholders to
ensure that the project becomes a success.
The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Nyakahuma, who
presided over the commissioning of the irrigation scheme, commended
government and asked the beneficiaries to incorporate it with the
recently launched the Parish Development Model, in order to improve on
their livelihoods. He commended Canon Munono for offering his land to
Government, to benefit the Wana-inchi.
The District LC5 Vice-Chairperson, Miria Akankwasa, who represented
the District Chairperson, Nelson Nshangabasheija, also commended
government for giving alternative sources of income and livelihoods
for the wetland evictees, saying that these enterprises will act as a
source of relief and hope for them.
The Kabale District Principal Secretary, James Mugisha, who
represented the Chief Administrative Officer-CAO, Edmond Ntimba,
emphasized the need for proper packaging of messages about the
importance of vacating the wetlands to the farmers, in addition to
alternative livelihood ventures. He also called on the farmers to
adopt commercial farming, if they are to benefit more from such
government programs.
