Kampala
13/11/07
 
UGANDAN MP WANTS THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCOURAGE PASTORALISM IN THE COUNTRY.

By Leo Odera Omolo
 
Members of Parliament from Lang’o district in northern Uganda have asked the government to outlaw pastoralists (Balaalo) movements arguing that their activities interfere with lives of the already settled people.
 
The MPs said the government laxity to resolve the Balaalo question had created an impression that they were supported by the state.
 
Appearing before the parliamentary select committee on pastoralists recently, he MPs said the Balaalo had invaded several areas and clashed with residents.
 
‘’People are fed up with the Balaalo question and they are looking at the government to see how fast it moves to solve the problem,’’ said Ishaa Otto (UPC)
 
Jimmy Akena (UPC) said some of the Balaalo use guns to intimidate the locals and tension was building up among the population where the herdsmen had settled.
 
With the new proposed land changes, pastoralists movement were likely to create more land clashes noted Betty Among (Independent). Hon Frank Muhereza a researcher at the Centre for Basic Research told the committee that pastoralists do not own cattle.
 
He said a recent study had shown that the answer belonged to politicians in Kampala, some of the MPs. They facilitate the movements of Balaalo, which complicate the situation.
 
The directors of the African Leadership Institute David Pulkol said some opportunities had taken advantage of the unresolved pastoralists question to deprive poor people of their land rights.
 
What do you expect when money power and influence connive?’’
 
Armed men recently attacked one person and killed over 80 herds of cattle. The assailant also left deep cuts and took off with unspecified number of cows. Over 10 people have since been arrested and charged in connection.
 
Meanwhile the controversy surrounding the proposed establishment of Mayuge Sugar Industries Ltd, 6 km will have a huge negative impact on the oldest sugar giant in Uganda, the General Manager of KSW has insisted.
 
‘’Planning cane supply for a centrifugal mill is a long term programme which starts nearly two years ahead of harvest.
 
It is complicated enough dealing with inconsistent cane yield because of variations with weather, without the added complications of another millers in the zone. Planning is vital for the farmers they need to know how much cane to supply well in advance,’’ Mr. Richard Orr said.
 
His remarks come at a time when Kakira Sugar Works is protesting the settling up of Mayuge Sugar in Mayuge district, only a few kilometers away.
 
Kakira and Sugar Corporation of Uganda, Ligazi, are at the same time protesting the location of another GM Sugar Ltd, in the same area.
 
Mr. Orr told a press conference at the factory premises last weekend that Uganda Investment Authority erred in giving Mayuge Sugar a license without considering fair competition.
 
‘’You don’t need to have a big number of investors registered, but how best you plan for the country, he said.
 
He said Kakira Sugar Work USD 50 million investments will be put to waste if Mayuge Sugar is not relocated elsewhere.
 
They are coming, but they are going to exploit our structures (out growers) that we have built over years. We have over 5000 hectares of cane in the district,’’ he said.
 
‘’KSW is also worried of food security for the people of Mayuge if the new industry takes off because the locals will turn their land into cane growing,’’ Mr. Orr said.
 
He said four competing sugar factories would be located in a radius of 35 km away from the existing one.
 
The director of Mayuge sugar Industry, Mr. Kamlesh Maheshwari, however, promptly countered the claims when he told the residents of Mayuge that his company would not intrigue on KSW structures.
 
‘’We have bought 1,000 acres of land and we are targeting another 2000. We shall use cane from outgrowers who are not registered with KSW, Mr. Maheshwari said during a meeting by the area MP (Buya West) Aggrey Bagure a Logolole Town.
 
Mayuge Sugar is a USD 10 million new investment that is expected to begin production of 500 tones of white sugar per day. It will commence its production in August next year.
 
I need Madhram (KSW) and have new investors. The question is how we can have both investors and harmonize their operations and production,’’ said Hon Bagina.
 
Ends.
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com