MPs want more funds for agriculture

The MPs made the proposal during their meeting at parliament to discuss measures for ending hunger in the country.

The forum chairman Abas Agaba Mugisha revealed they have embarked on a campaign aimed at ending hunger in their constituencies by 2020.
Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana from the Economic Research Center said over 40% of households in Uganda are unable to afford two meals in a day in Uganda.

The Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi on Tuesday told New Vision that as required by law the finance ministry will present the final estimates for the 2017/2018 budget this Friday on March 31, 2017.Katikamu South MP Edward Ssembatya argued that without government significantly increasing budget allocation for the agriculture the country will not achieve food security.

“The Maputo protocol requires African governments to allocate not less than 10% to agriculture but in Uganda we still at 3%. Any government that will turn get Ugandans out of poverty and hunger will inevitably have to give agriculture priority more than any other sector,” Ssembatya argued.

Bulamogi County MP Kenneth Lubogo also proposed that progress will only be achieved if the budget for agriculture is increased.

“If government is serious about ending hunger, beginning with the forthcoming budget let the budget for agriculture be increased at least to 7%. There is need to invest in mechanization and irrigation interventions,” Lubogo argued.