Prime minister’s visit leaves residents frustrated
Prime Minister Ruganda (L), and Kalungu District officials inspect one of the gardens where crops have failed due to prolonged drought. Uganda’s inflation rate is expected to keep rising as a result of the droughts being experienced in most parts of the country. FILE PHOTO
Several residents in districts of Bukomansimbi and Kalungu have expressed frustration and disappointment over the prime minister’s failure to give them foodstuffs when he visited them on Thursday.
Thousands of residents who gathered at Bigasa and Kabale-Bugonzi in Bukomansimbi and Kalungu districts respectively, and were waiting to receive food from Dr Ruhakana Rugunda were left disappointed after the premier’s failure to meet their expectations.
Dr Rugunda said that he had visited the area to assess the magnitude of famine and drought which has affected many people in greater Masaka.
“Since you have failed to harvest food in these two consecutive seasons, the government is willing to come to your rescue by sending some food relief to areas which are badly affected by prolonged drought which has led to famine,” Dr Rugunda assured the residents.
But many left the place in a sombre mood even before the departure of Mr Rugunda, after realising that he had brought no food.
“We arrived here very early in the morning when our leaders informed us that the prime minister is coming after our long cry for food,” Mr James Mukasa a resident of Kabale, Bukulula Sub County in Kalungu District said, adding that their area has been struck with hunger.
He added that they have been planting in time for two seasons now, but the area is not receiving regular rain which can sustain crop growth.
Ms Yozefina Kyeyune said she had prepared a black polythene bag, since she had hopes of going back home with at least a few kilogrammes of maize flour.
“Raw mangoes have become our best meal here, we can only afford to eat one meal per day and this is met only at night,” she said.
In his report to the prime minister, Mr Richard Kyabaggu, Kalungu chairperson, said that rainfall in the district is little with uneven distribution both in time and space, failing agriculture and also leading to famine.
“Only approximately 39 per cent of households in the district are considered to be food secure and able to have at least two meals a day,” read the report.
Mr Kyabaggu also pointed out that the 39 per cent of the families will be food insecure in a period of two to three months.
