Govt told to keep off Bugisu union
May 13, 2009
THE Government should stop interfering in the affairs of Bugisu Co-operative Union, the district chairman, Bernard Mujasi, has said. Mujasi said the union was in the process of streamlining its businesses under the leadership of MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
By Joseph Wanzusi
THE Government should stop interfering in the affairs of Bugisu Co-operative Union, the district chairman, Bernard Mujasi, has said. Mujasi said the union was in the process of streamlining its businesses under the leadership of MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
Speaking at the belated Labour Day celebrations at the Cricket Grounds on Saturday, Mujasi said development issues should not be mixed with politics.
The remarks come after a recent move by the trade minister, Kahinda Otafiire, to dismiss Busamaba Co-operative Society from the union membership.
Otafiire was acting on reports that the society, which Mafabi represents in the union, had joined another coffee farmers’ group called Gumutindo Organic Coffee Enterprises.
“The coffee farmers elected Mafabi as the board chairman and nobody, especially outsiders, should try to fight the leadership of the union on political grounds,†Mujasi charged.
He called on the Government to increase the budget for agriculture, arguing that the sector employs many Ugandans.
Mujasi urged MPs to put pressure on the Government to prioritise the sector. He cited the National Agricultural Advisory Services programme, saying it should be allocated more funds.
The deputy resident district commissioner, Henry Nalyanya, who was the guest of honour, said it was unfortunate that local leaders had let down the people by abusing the decentralisation programme.
Nalyanya said some sub-county chiefs, despite having attended leadership training at Kyankwanzi political school, failed to educate the public about savings and credit co-operative societies. He decried the high level of corruption in the district, saying it was one of the worst ‘cancers’ to development.
Corruption, Nalyanya said, could only be eliminated by collective action. He condemned the grabbing of land from the poor by rich individuals.
Acting mayor Jamila Naleba said local investors should be encouraged to create jobs.
THE Government should stop interfering in the affairs of Bugisu Co-operative Union, the district chairman, Bernard Mujasi, has said. Mujasi said the union was in the process of streamlining its businesses under the leadership of MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
Speaking at the belated Labour Day celebrations at the Cricket Grounds on Saturday, Mujasi said development issues should not be mixed with politics.
The remarks come after a recent move by the trade minister, Kahinda Otafiire, to dismiss Busamaba Co-operative Society from the union membership.
Otafiire was acting on reports that the society, which Mafabi represents in the union, had joined another coffee farmers’ group called Gumutindo Organic Coffee Enterprises.
“The coffee farmers elected Mafabi as the board chairman and nobody, especially outsiders, should try to fight the leadership of the union on political grounds,†Mujasi charged.
He called on the Government to increase the budget for agriculture, arguing that the sector employs many Ugandans.
Mujasi urged MPs to put pressure on the Government to prioritise the sector. He cited the National Agricultural Advisory Services programme, saying it should be allocated more funds.
The deputy resident district commissioner, Henry Nalyanya, who was the guest of honour, said it was unfortunate that local leaders had let down the people by abusing the decentralisation programme.
Nalyanya said some sub-county chiefs, despite having attended leadership training at Kyankwanzi political school, failed to educate the public about savings and credit co-operative societies. He decried the high level of corruption in the district, saying it was one of the worst ‘cancers’ to development.
Corruption, Nalyanya said, could only be eliminated by collective action. He condemned the grabbing of land from the poor by rich individuals.
Acting mayor Jamila Naleba said local investors should be encouraged to create jobs.