We offered the bulls to Ssempijja - NAGRC&DB ED

The National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRIC & DB) Acting Executive Director Dr Anthony Ntate has said the controversial allocation of 15 bulls from government-owned Lusenke stock farm to the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja was not irregular.

While speaking to New Vision in a phone interview, Ntate said the bulls were offered to Ssempijja as a contribution towards his function. The function was about the government's achievements.

"Ssempijja wrote to us requesting for animals. We identified the bulls and we offered them to him. It is normal because the offer does not affect our farm multiplication program in any way.

Ssempijja being the line Cabinet Minister, also has executive authority over the stock farm," Ntate said
 
The bulls were slaughtered for thousands of NRM supporters from the Greater Masaka region that convened to celebrate NRM achievements at Bulakati playground Lukaya in Kalungu District on October 24 last year.

Gen Salim Saleh the Operation Wealth Creation boss represented President Museveni.

The ceremony was also attended by the Vice President Edward Ssekandi, the NRM party General Secretary, Justine Lumumba, cabinet Ministers, over 30 MPs, religious and cultural leaders.

Ssempijja said the ceremony was aimed at celebrating the achievements of NRM towards the prevailing social, economic and political transformation for the people of Greater Masaka.

"Ssempijja is not the first to benefit from such an offer, we have supported many MPs, entities and the general public. We have given them hens, goats and cows, it's normal and harmless," Ntate confessed.

Ssempijja who is also the Kalungu East MP said the matter was being politicized to serve some peoples selfish interests.  "I did not steal the bulls, it's unfair to portray me as a leader of such caliber, I requested for support," he said.

The matter is expected to be discussed on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday.