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Banyabindi to boycott 2021 elections due unfulfilled pledges

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Over 10,000 members of the Banyabindi community, a minority tribe in Kasese district have resolved to boycott the 2021 general elections due to unfulfilled government pledges.

The Banyabindi were displaced, without compensation, during the establishment of Mubuku Irrigation Scheme, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ibuga prisons between 1962 and 1980 by the then governments. They faced further displacement due to the two decades-long Rwenzururu rebellion which ended in 1982. The displacement continues to render them less productive.

Augustine Byabashaija, the Chairperson of the Banyabindi Cultural Trust, says the community has been advocating for resettlement and compensation of their land by government for many years now, and have received several promises in that direction, the latest being an 8th February, 2016 pledge by President Museveni at State House, Nakasero. To date, none of these promises has materialised.

Now, the frustrated Banyabindi have vowed not to support any leader who does not champion their issues.

“No land, no vote”

During their Annual General Assembly held at Muhokya primary school in Kasese district, under their umbrella organization, Banyabindi Cultural Development Trust (BACDET), participants resolved to shun elections should president Museveni fail to honour a 2016 pledge to resettle them.

“This time round, there is nothing for nothing. We have been patient with the government for all these years, in vain. We must get the land that the president promised us in broad daylight!” thundered Augustine Byabashaija, the Chairperson of the Banyabindi Cultural Trust at the weekend meeting.

The Prime Minister of the Bunyabindi cultural institution, Christopher Kitakakire, appealed to members to be resolute in demanding what is due to them.

“I appeal to you to be strong and demand for what is owed us. If others have had their land compensated, why not us?” Mr. Kitakakire asked.

For his part, the Banyabindi’s cultural leader, Mr. Elisha Mugisa Ateenyi, told the members in attendance that if they must vote, they should only elect candidates who can take their plight to heart, adding that their vote should not be taken for granted this time round.

Still no redress

In August last year, the Equal Opportunities Commission directed government to resettle members of the Banyabindi minority group living in displacement in and around Kasese district within twelve months of the date of the ruling. The ruling concluded a two-year-old petition to the commission by the Banyabindi over alleged marginalisation.

However, in an exclusive interview with theCooperator, Byabashaija was bitter that, to date, government has not given them redress despite the Commission’s ruling. Instead, he lamented, they have been shunned by government officials.

‘Nothing for nothing’- Augustine Byabashaija (R), Chairman Banyabindi Cultural Trust called for a boycott of the 2021 elections if their concerns are not dealt with. Photo by Enid Ninsiima.

“You can imagine after winning the case before the Equal Opportunities Commission, none of the leaders want to associate with us,” he said.

“For this function, we invited the Minister for Presidency, who was to represent the Minister for Gender but nobody is here; not even the district leaders. This is an indication that we are on our own and therefore there is no need for us to vote.”

“Be patient”

However, speaking to theCooperator, the RDC Kasese Lt. Joe Walusimbi who was unable to attend the function, called upon the Banyabindi to be patient as government finds a way to resolve their issue, arguing that land compensation is a complex undertaking that cannot be hurried.

“If they boycott the elections and the person who promised them redress is voted out, who will honour their pledges?” he asked rhetorically, adding that the aggrieved minority should participate in the political process in order to get the political representation they have long been advocating for.

According to the 2014 Housing and Population census, the Banyabindi population stands at 16,000. However, the community’s own records put the current number at over 50,000, scattered in different districts in Western Uganda, with 20,000 of them allegedly landless and in need of urgent government intervention.

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Over 2,000 farmers in Apac set to benefit from a new rice growing project

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Farmers in different cooperatives in Lango Sub Region are set to benefit from a recently introduced rice out growers scheme. At least 2,000 farmers in Apac district, have been supported to start growing rice more than 20,000 acres of land spread in Cawente, Maruzi, Nambyeso, and Ibuje.

The farmers will be further supported through a partnership between Clean Energy Partnership Africa (CEPA) Uganda, FOL Logistics, Tulima Solar Group and Equity Bank.

CEPA will provide the training and rice bulking, FOL Logistics will offer seeds and agro inputs and market, Tulima Solar will provide solar irrigation pumps, while Equity bank will provide loans to the rice growers.

Roselyn Atim, a member of Ibuje Sub-County Women’s SACCO and prospective beneficiary of the project, expressed her hope that it would help them boost their household incomes.

“We have been grappling with poverty in addition to challenges of bad weather, poor soils, and inadequate finances to grow rice on a large scale. We are happy these major issues are being addressed. Hopefully this will help us to increase our household incomes,” she said.

Atim was one of the hundreds of farmers being oriented on how best to grow rice and vegetables as a business during a meeting held at Apac Municipality recently.

Empowering Ugandan rice farmers

Speaking at the event, CEPA Chief Executive Officer, David Ebong, said rice growing is still a virgin area with good economic prospects for serious farmers.

“Rice consumption in Uganda stands at 225,000 metric tonnes annually, yet local production only amounts to 60,000 metric tonnes. To cover this gap, Uganda has been importing lots of rice from countries like Pakistan. We want to empower locals to take over this space,” he said.

Elizabeth Rumanyika, director for strategic planning at FOL Logistics told the farmers that the organization will avail them with fast yielding hybrid rice seeds, as well as agro based inputs such as fertilizers, farm machinery.

“There are about 35,000 rice farmers in Uganda today,” she said. “We need to train them, give them the best seeds and machinery, and tips on reducing post-harvest losses.”

Rumanyika further assured farmers of ready market for their produce.

“Farmers should not worry about finding market after harvesting the rice. We shall pay them in cash for all the rice they can supply. The issue of market is sorted,” she said.

Equity bank also pledged to support the farmers with credit.

James Odour the Equity Bank Manager Lira branch said the farmers will be given credit based on the records of farm businesses they have previously held, and priority would be given to those organized in SACCOs and other cooperatives.

Eventually, organisers hope to extend the training to other farmers in Apac, Kole, Dokolo, Amolatar, Erute, Alebtong and Oyam on the dynamics of rice growing.

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Masaka entrepreneurs wary of new Govt funding scheme

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Potential beneficiaries of a new government funding scheme for specialised enterprise groups have expressed scepticism towards the initiative barely after its kickoff.

The new “Presidential Wealth, Job Creation Initiative”, commonly known as “Emyooga”, aims to identify specialized-enterprise groups from the parish level upwards that will be directly funded by government to boost their production capacity.

At its launch late last year, President Yoweri Museveni indicated that government had earmarked at least 100 billion shillings for the scheme.

Under the project, each enterprise group with a minimum of 30 members is required to form a SACCO which will then receive up to 30 million shillings in funding. The funds received will revolve amongst the members, at interest rates as low as 5 percent annually, to boost their respective income-generating ventures.

Beneficiaries sceptical

However, in a recent training on the project held in Masaka Municipality, leaders of various enterprise groups and SACCOs expressed scepticism about its viability, citing disappointing experiences with similar government initiatives in the past.

Norah Namukwaya, a member of Kimanya Women Briquettes Enterprise group, is afraid that systematic extortion by project implementers could render the funding worthless for the intended beneficiaries.

“We have experienced incidents where a group signs for Shs. 5 million, but actually receives only Shs. 3 million, yet it is supposed to pay back the full sum. Such inconsistencies have scared many of us from government programs for fear of losing our properties to unscrupulous individuals,” she said.

She demanded that the project be insulated from extortionist staff if it is to truly benefit entrepreneurs.

The tedious bureaucracy characteristic of such projects was also cited as a major challenge.

“Many of our members have lost trust in government financing projects after they were frustrated by the long bureaucratic tendencies involved,” said Reuben Kasumba, Treasurer of Nyendo-Zaire BodaBoda SACCO.

Jude Mulindwa, another intending beneficiary, re-echoed this sentiment, decrying what he described as government’s chronic delays in releasing funds channelled through such wealth creation schemes.

He observed that some enterprise groups have resorted to privately-owned credit suppliers despite their exorbitant interest rates, because of their swiftness in disbursing needed funds.

“We cannot afford to pursue government funds for months- sometimes even up to a year. By the time the money is released, people have lost morale to carry out the intended projects,” he said.

‘Policy more important’

However, in a departure from the general clamour for expedited release of the project funds, Denis Bwanika a dealer in agricultural produce in Masaka central market, advocated for a greater focus on policy initiatives aimed at creating a favourable working environment for existing enterprises.

“People are already engaged in various commercial activities even without government’s direct financial support, but our frustrations are the lack of markets for our produce, inadequate value addition facilities, and costly inputs among others. Government should first sort out such limitations instead of issuing out cash handouts that will most likely fail to realize return on investment,” he argued.

In his submissions, Peter Muteesasira, one of the project trainers reassured the group leaders that government is committed to ensuring that the new project is a success. He indicated that they are also gathering public feedback which will be incorporated at higher decision making levels for the betterment of the project.

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Banana farmers count losses as strange disease rages on

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Farmers in Western Uganda are counting their losses in the wake of a ‘strange’ banana disease that has ravaged plantations in the region for months now.

The disease, which has been attributed to banana rust thrips, leads to discolouration of the fruit peel from green to rusty brown or purplish in colour.

Although the disease does not seem to affect the fruit pulp which remains edible, customers are often unwilling to buy the discoloured bananas, leaving farmers stranded with unwanted produce.

“When people look at such a diseased banana, they assume that it is unsafe for human consumption,” says Samson Baguma, one of the affected farmers in Rwentobo-Rwahi town council.

Peace Kaconco, a banana farmer from Rubaare, lamented, “We are stuck with bunches of banana that have turned brown. No one will buy them, no matter their size.”

Francis Turyaheebwa, the Chairman LC 2 Kigaaga parish in Mwizi Sub County is worried that, unchecked, the disease could threaten households’ food security and ability to generate incomes.

“In this area we are highly dependent on production and sale of matooke (bananas). If this epidemic continues we are likely to lose both food and income,” he warned.

Some farmers even reported that their income from banana sales has been so affected by the outbreak that they have opted for soft loans to pay their children’s school fees for the recently started first school term.

Mounting frustration

Meanwhile, frustration is mounting among farmers in western Uganda over what many perceive as government’s inadequate response to the outbreak that is ravaging plantations in several districts and threatening the livelihoods of thousands.

For instance, Jotham Kyomukama a local politician in Mwizi sub-county blames the sluggish official response on incompetence.

“The fact that this disease is spreading so rapidly from one district to another shows how incompetent some government workers are. By now extension workers and agricultural officers should have intervened,” he said.

Residents in Rwampara confirmed to theCooperator that relevant authorities had not yet intervened on this issue despite being notified.

Preventive measures

However, district officials have advised farmers to destroy affected plants in order to control the spread of the disease. Albert Mugabe the Ntungamo District Production Officer told journalists that the extension workers have been tasked to move from farm to farm and help farmers properly dispose of the affected plants as more interventions are sought.

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Ministry of Agriculture Moots Tougher Quality Control Measures for Milk

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State Minister for Animal Industry Bright Rwamirama has revealed that his ministry plans to propose amendments to the National Dairy Development Act, to introduce tougher sanctions against those undermining the quality of Uganda’s milk.

While addressing dairy farmers at Sembabule District headquarters last week, Rwamirama expressed concern that Uganda was losing external market for its milk due to poor handling habits within the local supply chain, noting that it was time to start enforcing stricter quality controls.

According to figures from the Dairy Development Authority, Uganda has seen a surge in Dairy exports in the last decade, from $5million in 2008 to $130million at the end of 2017. In the same period, the country saw local milk production grow to nearly 3billion liters per annum, of which 300million liters are exported annually making Uganda the leading exporter of milk and milk products in the region.

Now, Rwamirama fears that these gains risk being eroded by unscrupulous actors in the Dairy value-chain. He pointed out in particular that there has been a tendency by milk suppliers, dealers and processors to dilute and contaminate milk with water and other chemicals to increase quantity and lessen perishability.

He warned that such practices were eating away at Uganda’s “legendary” milk purity, affecting its quality, while posing a big health risk to consumers.

“These(unscrupulous) players are taking advantage of the current law which is lenient. But now, we (the ministry) are proposing penalty reforms ranging from three-month to seven years’ imprisonment, which we hope will be deterrent,” he said.

Rwamirama also noted that Uganda needs to increase local milk consumption, arguing that impressive export receipts need to be anchored on an equally strong local consumption.

According to the World Health organization, it is recommended that an ordinary person should averagely consume 200 liters of milk annually, while Uganda’s average mil consumption per capita is 40 liters, the lowest in East Africa.

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Government donates tractors to cooperatives in Kasese

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In a bid to boost agricultural production, government through Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) has donated three tractors to three cooperative societies in Kasese district. The donation comes at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is prioritizing agricultural mechanization.

The beneficiary cooperatives are; Abasaija Kweyamba Cooperative Society, Bigando Farmers’ Cooperative Society and Kaveera Barracks Women Cooperative Society.

Handing over the tractors, Hanny Turyahebwa, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kasese district lauded government for prioritizing agricultural mechanization. Turyahebwa has since been transferred to Ntungamo district in the same capacity.

Gideon Ntabose Sanyu, the Vice Chairman Kasese district said that once properly utilized, the tractors will help farmers in the beneficiary cooperatives to boost their production and consequently household incomes.

“We carried out a needs assessment in all cooperative societies during the time Gen. Salim Saleh [Chief Coordinator, Operation Wealth Creation] was in the district. We found out that ploughing was still a major problem to our farmers, and these three cooperatives had the capacity to increase their production if supported with tractors,” Ntabose said.

Julius Baluku, the district Production Coordinator appealed to the beneficiary cooperative to put the tractors to good use. Operation Wealth Creation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the beneficiary cooperatives on maintenance and proper use of the tractors.

Semu Mulimba, Advocacy officer Bigando Cooperative Society, lauded government for the donation. “We are grateful to government for the tractors, this will help ease our work,” Mulimba said.

The Kasese Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Lt Joe Walusimbi implored leaders of the three cooperatives to ensure that all farmers have equal access to the tractors. “Don’t use these tractors on things that are outside the Momorandum of Understanding, but rather stick to the intended purpose for increased production,” Walusimbi cautioned.

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Ssempija roots for Agricultural Mechanisation

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The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempija has appealed to farmers in Rwenzori sub region to embrace agricultural mechanisation as one of improving production.

Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempija. Photo by JAMES ABAL

He emphasised that mechanisation will not only boost production but also improve on the quality of agricultural products. “Government is emphasising mechanisation of agriculture to improve on quality and production.

This is the reason why we partnered with National Agriculture Advisory Services to give out tractors to farmer groups” Ssempija said.

Speaking at the Rwenzori Investment Expo at Mountains of the Moon University in Fort Portal town on Thursday, Ssempija revealed that government plans to establish regional mechanisation centres across the country to offer technical assistance to farmer groups.

Under the theme, “Investment for local economic development,” the Rwenzori Expo, was organised by Operations Wealth Creation (OWC) in conjunction with Uganda Investment Authority (UAI) among other stakeholders. The expo was meant to showcase investment opportunities in the Rwenzori sub region.

Gen. Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator OWC in his speech read for him by his deputy Lt Gen. Charles Angina noted an improvement in agricultural production in the country due to government initiatives.

“Generally, the agricultural sector has registered improved growth rates over the last four years averaging 3.0 percent per annum. The performance across the prioritized commodities has been generally good with significant improvements observed in key strategic and food security commodities” Saleh said.

He said the expo will go a long way in opening up Rwenzori sub region for investment. “As you may all already know, this region has significant investment opportunities in agriculture, tourism, mining etc. This expo will trigger investment in the region by attracting both local and international investors by providing a forum private investors, local governments, central government and other development partners to network” he said.

Exhibitors views

Emmanuel Mutungi, the chairman Kyegegwa Fruit Farmers Association said the expo offered him an opportunity to learn from fellow farmers. “I have interacted with other farmers, shared knowledge, experiences and challenges which may help us [the association] in our daily farming activities” Mutungi said.

Kyegegwa Fruit Farmers Association is one of the groups that received a tractor to boost their production. The association grows and makes juice from watermelons, mangoes, pineapples among others. Since 2014, Operation Wealth Creation has been instrumental in supporting farmers with seeds and other farm inputs to boost production.

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Police savings association hit Shs 16bn, acquires estates in Kansanga and Gayaza

/0 Comments/in Africa, AGM, Agricultural Credit, Agriculture, Analysis, Animal Welfare, Ankole, Apple Growers in Uganda, Banks, Banyankole Kweterana, boda boda, Boda Boda cooperative, bribes, Buganda Kingdom, Busia, Business, Busoga, Central, Cereals, Chickens, Church, city centre, Coffee, Coffee Cooperative, Coffee farmers, Coffee farming, coop, Coop Bank, coop week, Cooperative, cooperative accountability, Cooperative Governance, Cooperative society, Cooperative Union, cooperatives, Cooperatives & Communities, Cooperatives Governance, cooperators, Coopertives, coopweek, Cotton farming, Counter-Strike, court, Democracy, Development, Diaspora, donations, DroughT in Uganda, EAC, East Africa, East African Community, Eastern, economic, Elders, Entertainment, Fake agro-inputs, Famine, Farmers, farming, Featured, Finance, Finance & Banking, Financial, fishing, food, Foods, Fraud, Frontpage Article, Gambia, global, government, Green Revolution in Africa, Housing, IK Musaazi, Images, International Coffee Day, Interview, Irrigation, Irrigation schemes, Kabaka, Kampala, Kasese, Kenya, Kilimo Trust, Legal, Life Style, Loans, Lwengo, Maize, Market Information, Masaka Elders Cooperative Union, Masindi, matatus, Micro-finance, MicroFinance, Microfinance Support Centre, Middlemen, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and Environment, motorcycles, MTN, Music, Mwalimu National Sacco, NAADS, National Coffee Bill, News, nigeria, Northern, NSSF, Oil, operation wealth creation, Opinion, Opinions, Organisations, OWC, Parliament, Pesticides, Politics, Post harvest loses, Preservation of Bean, President Mnangagwa, Quote, Regional, registration, Report, Rhino Camp ginnery, Rice farming, roads, Rwanda, Rwenzori Apple farmers, Rwenzori Expo, Sacco, SACCOs, standards, storage of cereals, strike, sugar cane out-grower, Tanzania, tax, teachers, Technology, tractors, Trade, Transport, TV, UCDA, Uganda, Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Uganda Cooperative Alliance, Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority, Uhuru Institute, umeme, Uncategorized, Western, World, World News, Youth, zimbabwe /by tc

The Uganda Police Savings Association Limited (PSAL) has registered a remarkable growth in its savings and asset base. PSAL Chairman, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Edward Ochom told theCooperator that the association’s net worth is now Shs 16bn and a loan portfolio of more than Shs 300 million.

Ochom said due to increased savings, PSAL has acquired land and constructed estates in Kansanga, Gayaza and soon in Bwebajja along Entebbe Road. “Many of our members have not only educated their children and constructed houses due to savings and loans from PSAL,” Ochom said.

PSAL was formed in 1989 as a welfare association to supplement the earnings of police officers. “We all know that our police officers earn little money, yet they have children to look after and also need to develop. It is from these savings that majority of them have managed to educate their children up to university and also buy land and construct houses,” said Ochom.

Over the years, PSAL has endured many challenges that nearly closed its closure. In 1990s, PSAL had more than 14,000 members. However, the membership dropped after the Justice Ssebutinde led Commission of Inquiry that unearthed scandals in the Force. Ssebutinde’s Commission found that majority of the members mainly the low ranking officers were un able to acquire loans, in addition to embezzlement of funds by leaders.

“We had started well in the 1990s. The saving scheme had more than 14,000 members but after some issues, the number reduced to 700. I am glad that now we are rising in numbers once again. We are now 2,271 registered members,” Ochom told theCooperator.

The Force currently has two parallel Savings schemes – PSAL and the Exodus SACCO. The Exodus SACCO that boosts of 27,000 members was formed by the former Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura in 2007.

30th Anniversary

In January this year, PSAL held the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Nsambya Sharing Hall, Kampala that coincided with its 30th anniversary. Speaking at the event, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martins Okoth Ochola hailed the board of directors for steering the association out of its past troubles.

“I would like to thank the board of directors for the support and dedication in advancing the cause of our officers. You are not only the backbone of savings in the force but also its heart and soul,” Ochola said.

Ochola asked the leadership to stick to the association’s core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. “As Uganda Police leadership, we are delighted to be part of this Annual General Meeting which reflects in a practical way, how police officers can organize ourselves in a proper manner to financially benefit from one another and help to make a difference in our general welfare,” Ochola, who is also a member of PSAL said.

He added, “We support the many positive contributions and initiatives undertaken by PSAL and other saving schemes which are aimed at helping the Police officers and their families in raising their standards of living,”.

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Hope as Lango Cooperative Union gets new leaders

/0 Comments/in Africa, Agricultural Credit, Agriculture, Analysis, Animal Welfare, Ankole, Apple Growers in Uganda, Banks, Banyankole Kweterana, boda boda, Boda Boda cooperative, bribes, Buganda Kingdom, Busia, Business, Busoga, Central, Cereals, Chickens, Church, city centre, Coffee, Coffee Cooperative, Coffee farmers, Coffee farming, coop, Coop Bank, coop week, Cooperative, cooperative accountability, Cooperative Governance, Cooperative society, Cooperative Union, cooperatives, Cooperatives & Communities, Cooperatives Governance, cooperators, Coopertives, coopweek, Cotton farming, Counter-Strike, court, Democracy, Development, Diaspora, DroughT in Uganda, EAC, East Africa, East African Community, Eastern, economic, Elders, Elections, Entertainment, Fake agro-inputs, Famine, Farmers, farming, Featured, Finance, Finance & Banking, Financial, fishing, food, Foods, Fraud, Frontpage Article, Gambia, global, government, Green Revolution in Africa, Housing, IK Musaazi, Images, International Coffee Day, Interview, Irrigation, Irrigation schemes, Kabaka, Kampala, Kasese, Kenya, Kilimo Trust, Legal, Life Style, Loans, Lwengo, Maize, Market Information, Masaka Elders Cooperative Union, Masindi, matatus, Micro-finance, MicroFinance, Microfinance Support Centre, Middlemen, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and Environment, motorcycles, MTN, Music, Mwalimu National Sacco, NAADS, National Coffee Bill, News, nigeria, Northern, NSSF, Oil, Opinion, Opinions, Organisations, OWC, Parliament, Pesticides, Politics, Post harvest loses, Preservation of Bean, President Mnangagwa, Quote, Regional, registration, Report, Rhino Camp ginnery, Rice farming, roads, Rwanda, Rwenzori Apple farmers, Sacco, SACCOs, standards, storage of cereals, strike, sugar cane out-grower, Tanzania, tax, teachers, Technology, Trade, Transport, TV, UCDA, Uganda, Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Uganda Cooperative Alliance, Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority, Uhuru Institute, umeme, Uncategorized, Western, World, World News, Youth, zimbabwe /by tc

Maxwell Akora, the Maruzi Member of Parliament in Apac district has been elected Chairman Board of Directors of Lango Cooperative Union. Akora was elected unopposed at Union’s Special Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Lira Municipal Council hall on Tuesday.

Maxwell Akora delivers his acceptance speech at Lira Municipal Council hall on January 28, 2020. PHOTO BY EVANS OKETCH

He replaces Johnson Engole who has been at the helm of the Union for a decade. Tony Ogwal, the Alebtong Town Council Chairman was elected Vice Chairman while Robert Akona is new treasurer. Other members elected to the Union’s board of directors are; Bonny Otim, Malandra Okello, Simon Ongom, Levi Wacha, John Okello and Tom Richard Opio.

The general meeting also elected a three-member Supervisory Committee headed by Owiny Dano. In his speech, Akora pledged to ensure cohesion of the board and revival of the once powerful Union.

The woos for the Union started decades ago. However, the current troubles dates between 2009 and 2011, when the former board of directors acquired loans that the Union failed to service.

For instance, the Union obtained a loan of Shillings 2.4 billion from the Micro Finance Support Centre to finance cotton growing in Lango sub region, but failed to pay back on grounds that the season was bad.

This prompted Micro Finance Support Centre to sell off the Union’s ginnery at Ngeta to recover part of the loan. The Union still owes Micro Finance Support Centre Shillings 1.45 billion. President Yoweri Museveni in 2016 directed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperative to save the Union’s properties from being sold to recover the remaining loan balance.

As the Union came to its knees, cotton growing, buying, ginning and selling were heavily affected and this rendered the 144 primary societies that make up the Union also inactive. The Akora led board has its work well cut out– to revive the Union already choking on debts.

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Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

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On 31 December 2019, WHO was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The virus did not match any other known virus. This raised concern because when a virus is new, we do not know how it affects people.

One week later, on 7 January, Chinese authorities confirmed that they had identified a new virus. The new virus is a coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that include the common cold, and viruses such as SARS and MERS. This new virus was temporarily named “2019-nCoV.”

WHO has been working with Chinese authorities and global experts from the day we were informed, to learn more about the virus, how it affects the people who are sick with it, how they can be treated, and what countries can do to respond.

Because this is a coronavirus, which usually causes respiratory illness, WHO has advice to people on how to protect themselves and those around them from getting the disease. [ Statement from WHO ]

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