Security cannot solve NAADS saga
Dec 27, 2009
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said security agencies are to verify whether the lists of beneficiaries of the <i>Bonna Bagaggawale</i> (prosperity for all) projects in the country are genuine.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said security agencies are to verify whether the lists of beneficiaries of the Bonna Bagaggawale (prosperity for all) projects in the country are genuine.
The initial aim of the programme was to support six model farms per parish as a way of poverty alleviation. But it has emerged that the NAADS (farming for business) funds have been grossly abused, procurement guidelines flouted and agricultural inputs purchased at inflated prices.
The siphoning of NAADS funds has gone on for nearly a decade. This is despite a provision in the agreement between the Government and the development partners that calls for periodic reviews of the project.
Lists of beneficiaries submitted by most NAADS coordinators show that the poor have not benefited from the programme.
It appears the target audience was not clearly captured in the design of the project as is done with successful development campaigns.
While a farmers’ forum is also a good idea to inform them of the monies which have been sent to their respective areas, the youth who form the majority of the unemployed Ugandans were not focused on in the project design.
There is also need to look at the procurement services at the sub-county level and management of the district and sub-county accounts on NAADS funds. Besides, the selection and the disbursement process needs to be transparent.
The NAADS programme needs to be refined to be responsive to the needs of the communities. Development campaigns require the input of all the stakeholders.
Sensitisation of the farmers by the President alone cannot cause the required change. It calls for the involvement of all the stakeholders, including politicians. Sending spies to verify the authenticity of the lists is certainly one of the action points. But they too may not be insulated against corruption.
Identifying the gaps in the implementation of the project and cracking a whip on the corrupt officials is crucial to the programme’s success.
The initial aim of the programme was to support six model farms per parish as a way of poverty alleviation. But it has emerged that the NAADS (farming for business) funds have been grossly abused, procurement guidelines flouted and agricultural inputs purchased at inflated prices.
The siphoning of NAADS funds has gone on for nearly a decade. This is despite a provision in the agreement between the Government and the development partners that calls for periodic reviews of the project.
Lists of beneficiaries submitted by most NAADS coordinators show that the poor have not benefited from the programme.
It appears the target audience was not clearly captured in the design of the project as is done with successful development campaigns.
While a farmers’ forum is also a good idea to inform them of the monies which have been sent to their respective areas, the youth who form the majority of the unemployed Ugandans were not focused on in the project design.
There is also need to look at the procurement services at the sub-county level and management of the district and sub-county accounts on NAADS funds. Besides, the selection and the disbursement process needs to be transparent.
The NAADS programme needs to be refined to be responsive to the needs of the communities. Development campaigns require the input of all the stakeholders.
Sensitisation of the farmers by the President alone cannot cause the required change. It calls for the involvement of all the stakeholders, including politicians. Sending spies to verify the authenticity of the lists is certainly one of the action points. But they too may not be insulated against corruption.
Identifying the gaps in the implementation of the project and cracking a whip on the corrupt officials is crucial to the programme’s success.