Legislators want climate change report
Jun 17, 2009
MPS have demanded an explanation on the fluctuating rainfall pattern, which they said had become difficult for farmers to understand.
By Milton Olupot
and Catherine Bekunda
MPS have demanded an explanation on the fluctuating rainfall pattern, which they said had become difficult for farmers to understand.
Discussing the looming famine in many parts of the country, several MPs yesterday said farmers could not tell when to plant the crops due to the erratic rainfall patterns.
Samuel Odonga Otto (FDC) said Pader district had experienced drought in the last two months which weather experts had said would be a rainy season.
“The meteorologists should explain to the House the rain pattern and give us predictions to guide the farmers,†he said.
Sebuliba Mutumba (DP) said the meteorological department recently advised people to plant crops, saying there would be heavy rains.
He added that he was surprised to hear the same experts saying the rainy season was over just as the farmers started planting crops.
MPs criticised the disaster preparedness ministry for delaying to respond to the call for food supplies in the famine-struck regions of Teso, Karamoja and Busoga.
Rose Akol (NRM) said the Prime Minister had instructed disaster preparedness minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere to meet the MPs from the affected regions to discuss the way forward, but the meeting had not taken place.
Otto said people returning from the displaced persons’ camps had nothing to eat after the last harvests failed.
“My people urgently need food. I appeal to the minister to send a team to northern Uganda to assess the situation,†he said.
Michael Ocula (FDC) said people had died in his constituency and that deaths had been reported in other constituencies as well.
“We want rapid government response. I find it wrong for the minister to come in his casual manner as if there was no threat on people’s lives. If the Government has failed, then we appeal to the international community for help,†he said.
Kabwegyere said sh10b had been released by the Government and the ministry was securing food supplies that would soon be distributed.
But Franca Akello (FDC) said the sh10b was meant for only Teso and Karamoja.
Kabwegyere said: “I apologise for the frustration the members have. I wish they understood my frustration too. Sometimes I send food and it is eaten by mourners because those who should have eaten it have died. It is not my desire to frustrate anybody,†he said.
He said drought was affecting the whole East African region, including the traditionally food-secure areas. He added that 11 million people were facing famine in Kenya.
and Catherine Bekunda
MPS have demanded an explanation on the fluctuating rainfall pattern, which they said had become difficult for farmers to understand.
Discussing the looming famine in many parts of the country, several MPs yesterday said farmers could not tell when to plant the crops due to the erratic rainfall patterns.
Samuel Odonga Otto (FDC) said Pader district had experienced drought in the last two months which weather experts had said would be a rainy season.
“The meteorologists should explain to the House the rain pattern and give us predictions to guide the farmers,†he said.
Sebuliba Mutumba (DP) said the meteorological department recently advised people to plant crops, saying there would be heavy rains.
He added that he was surprised to hear the same experts saying the rainy season was over just as the farmers started planting crops.
MPs criticised the disaster preparedness ministry for delaying to respond to the call for food supplies in the famine-struck regions of Teso, Karamoja and Busoga.
Rose Akol (NRM) said the Prime Minister had instructed disaster preparedness minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere to meet the MPs from the affected regions to discuss the way forward, but the meeting had not taken place.
Otto said people returning from the displaced persons’ camps had nothing to eat after the last harvests failed.
“My people urgently need food. I appeal to the minister to send a team to northern Uganda to assess the situation,†he said.
Michael Ocula (FDC) said people had died in his constituency and that deaths had been reported in other constituencies as well.
“We want rapid government response. I find it wrong for the minister to come in his casual manner as if there was no threat on people’s lives. If the Government has failed, then we appeal to the international community for help,†he said.
Kabwegyere said sh10b had been released by the Government and the ministry was securing food supplies that would soon be distributed.
But Franca Akello (FDC) said the sh10b was meant for only Teso and Karamoja.
Kabwegyere said: “I apologise for the frustration the members have. I wish they understood my frustration too. Sometimes I send food and it is eaten by mourners because those who should have eaten it have died. It is not my desire to frustrate anybody,†he said.
He said drought was affecting the whole East African region, including the traditionally food-secure areas. He added that 11 million people were facing famine in Kenya.