Nsibambi summoned over ‘fake’ seeds
Sep 12, 2007
PARLIAMENT has summoned the Prime Minister and the disaster preparedness ministers to explain the supply of ‘substandard’ agriculture inputs to people returning from the camps in the North.
By Joyce Namutebi
PARLIAMENT has summoned the Prime Minister and the disaster preparedness ministers to explain the supply of ‘substandard’ agriculture inputs to people returning from the camps in the North.
The committee on agriculture wants Prof. Apolo Nsibambi to appear next week to clarify on the now controversial inputs.
Referring to documents submitted by the Prime Minister’s Office, the MPs yesterday demanded to know the criteria used in selecting the companies that supplied the inputs and whether the selection process was transparent.
The legislators were concerned about the duration of testing the seeds, saying it was too short.
The committee, chaired by Deusdedit Bikwasizehi, also demanded for evaluation reports from experts at Kawanda Research Station.
Disaster preparedness ministers Tarsis Kabwegyere and Musa Ecweru are also expected before the committee next week.
In May Kabwegyere accused district leaders in Gulu of failing to distribute the seeds and other agriculture inputs.
The Gulu LC5 boss, Norbert Mao, had earlier complained to the press that the seeds supplied to the North had failed to germinate.
He accused the disaster preparedness ministry of giving substandard farming tools to returnees.
The Aswa County MP, Reagan Okumu, also complained that sorghum called epuripur was given to the returnees to sow for consumption yet it is meant for alcohol brewing.
He also presented to the House a hoe and an axe that he described as substandard.
The Speaker of Parliament in July mandated the committee on agriculture to investigate the matter.
PARLIAMENT has summoned the Prime Minister and the disaster preparedness ministers to explain the supply of ‘substandard’ agriculture inputs to people returning from the camps in the North.
The committee on agriculture wants Prof. Apolo Nsibambi to appear next week to clarify on the now controversial inputs.
Referring to documents submitted by the Prime Minister’s Office, the MPs yesterday demanded to know the criteria used in selecting the companies that supplied the inputs and whether the selection process was transparent.
The legislators were concerned about the duration of testing the seeds, saying it was too short.
The committee, chaired by Deusdedit Bikwasizehi, also demanded for evaluation reports from experts at Kawanda Research Station.
Disaster preparedness ministers Tarsis Kabwegyere and Musa Ecweru are also expected before the committee next week.
In May Kabwegyere accused district leaders in Gulu of failing to distribute the seeds and other agriculture inputs.
The Gulu LC5 boss, Norbert Mao, had earlier complained to the press that the seeds supplied to the North had failed to germinate.
He accused the disaster preparedness ministry of giving substandard farming tools to returnees.
The Aswa County MP, Reagan Okumu, also complained that sorghum called epuripur was given to the returnees to sow for consumption yet it is meant for alcohol brewing.
He also presented to the House a hoe and an axe that he described as substandard.
The Speaker of Parliament in July mandated the committee on agriculture to investigate the matter.