First lady applauded for agricultural promotion in Karamoja

 

The first lady Uganda Mrs. Janet Museveni has been applauded for promoting agriculture in Karamoja Region.

 

Several interventions by Museveni were commenced in Karamoja among them is the Food Security Action Plan which is being  implemented through up scaling the tractor hire scheme, distribution of improved varieties of seeds and procurement of Oxen and Ox ploughs.

 

 Lolem Micah Akasile the MP Pokot County in Amudat district said that the intervention has helped people abandon fighting and indulge themselves in agricultural activities.

 

“If you go to Karamoja, it is not the one of those days, with the opportunity of having the first lady in charge; people are ready to practice agriculture to earn a leaving.

 

He told the New Vision that the Disarmament exercise has given away forward for the development of the area because people are now focusing on development. 

 

Cattle rustling were one of the major activities known to be practiced by the people in the region until government intervened and launched a campaign to disarm them.

 

Akasile treasured the decision by the Prime Minister’s Office of providing tractors in the areas stressing the need that they should be provided at every sub county level.

 

“We advocate for tractors to be given at every sub county so that we forge a way forward and curtail the issue of hunger in our region,” he requested.

 

He said that with the disarmament process, Karamoja is experiencing peace although there is still some isolated case of sniping.

 

“Although we still have some thieves, peace has prevailed, our worry is now on the side of Kenya especially the Turkana and Malere from Ethiopia who come well-armed in order to raid our people who are now vulnerable as they were disarmed,” he explained.

 

He expressed optimism that with the introduction of Local Defense Units {LDU}, these will provide enough protection in the area.

 

He however appealed to government to train more LDUs who are natives of the place so that when the Turkana turn against them it is the natives to protect them.

 

Akasile also challenged the Kenyan government to come in and take serious actions against disarming Tukanas who attack the armless Karamojongs.