The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has given out 19,833 hand hoes to households in Karenga District to boost agricultural production and support efforts to not only eradicate poverty but to fight hunger as well.
Each household will receive one hoe. The hoes were delivered by MAAIF at the district headquarters.
The distribution exercise was launched by the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, who is also the Woman MP for Karenga District, Hon. Akello Rose Lilly, in Kapedo Sub County.
The launch saw hoes distributed to communities in Kapedo Parish. The exercise will then roll out to the sub-counties of Kakwanga, Kawalakol, Labalangit, Sangara, Karenga and Lakori, and the town councils of Kapedo, Karenga and Kidepo, covering 07 sub-counties and 03 town councils in total. The hoes are valued at about UGX 297,495,000.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Akello said the initiative is aimed at improving agricultural productivity and supporting families in their efforts to not only eradicate poverty but to fight hunger as well.
“Please use the hoes to increase productivity and fight poverty,” she said.
Hon. Akello thanked His Excellency the President of Uganda for supporting the people of Karamoja in championing empowerment initiatives to cater for the people of Karamoja.
She appealed to the community to take their children to school.
She warned parents who use children for grazing cattle.
She directed the RDC and Police to arrest parents who keep their children out of school to graze animals.
“I appeal to the community to take their children to school. Parents who keep their children out of school to graze animals must stop,” Hon. Akello said.
She also directed the LC III, LC I and the Kraal leaders to cooperate and support the initiative, adding that the young generation are the future of Uganda tomorrow.
“LC III, LC I and Kraal leaders must cooperate and support this initiative, because the young generation are the future of Uganda tomorrow,” she said.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Karenga, Mr. Taban Peter Data, said Sub County Chiefs across the Karamoja region have been guided on how to distribute the hoes.
He cautioned them against favouring their relatives and friends during the exercise.
“Avoid giving these hoes to your friends and relatives who are not from the parishes. Only consider people within your community and ensure that each household receives a hoe,” Mr. Taban said.
He also warned beneficiaries against selling the hoes and spending the proceeds on alcohol, urging them instead to use the tools productively during the planting season.
“Don’t sell the hoes. Use them in your gardens,” Mr. Taban said.
Taban further advised the community to venture into various crops through mixed farming so that they have a variety of food.
“Don’t plant only one crop. Have a variety so that we can have a mix of food items,” Mr. Taban said.
The Member of Parliament for Dodoth West, Hon. Baatom Ben Koryang, said the initiative will help households increase food production, improve household incomes, and support the government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and fight hunger.
“This initiative will help our households increase food production and improve household incomes. Let us use this support to fight poverty in Karenga,” Hon. Baatom said.
Gen. Michael Walaka Hyeroba said the support from the government is part of a deliberate effort to empower the people economically as they jointly secure Karamoja.
“This support from the government is part of our deliberate effort to empower you economically as we jointly secure Karamoja,” Gen. Hyeroba said.
“Food security is national security. Let us all embrace agriculture as a pathway to peace and prosperity.”
“We cannot keep the peace with guns alone. True peace comes when every household has food on the table. I call upon you to put these tools to work, educate your children, and abandon cattle rustling for productive farming,” Gen. Hyeroba said.
