FDC praises govt over food stores

Sep 28, 2011

THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has hailed government’s move to construct silos around the country as a way of fighting food insecurity.

By Jeff Lule

THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has hailed government’s move to construct silos around the country as a way of fighting food insecurity.

Addressing journalists at the party’s weekly press briefing at the party headquarters in Kampala yesterday, the party’s publicity secretary, Wafula Oguttu, said they were happy government had started responding to people’s problems.

“We are grateful that the Government is going to construct food silos in different districts. This was part of our manifesto and it is one of the measures to fight famine,” he said.

Addressing the 5th National trade sector review conference at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo early this month, the trade minister, Amelia Kyambadde, said 10 silos would be constructed in 10 districts including Gulu, Arua, Mbale, Soroti, Mityana, Hoima, Kyenjojo, Iganga, Kabale and Bushenyi; with sixty satellite warehouses to feed the silos.

She also disclosed that milling and other value-addition machinery would be instituted.

Wafula said the move wasgood for all Ugandans. He added that in addition to building silos, the Government should also increase the budget on agriculture from 4% to over 10% to reach the Maputo commitment like other countries.

“80% of the country’s population depends on agriculture, but only sh437b out of the sh10trillion 2011/12 budget was allocated to agriculture,” he noted.

Wafula said there was need for Uganda to do more research and provide market for farmers’ produce.

He also called on government to revive cooperative Unions to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.

On the by-elections in Entebbe municipality, Wafula insisted FDC would not withdraw its candidate from the race.

He said some members were supporting DP’s Mohammad Kawuma, but on an individual basis.

“NEC agreed that we have our own candidate. We can not change because others just think they have a stronger candidate in the area,” Oguttu said.

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