Minister, leaders lash out at Ministry PS over Teso comments

SOROTI. The state minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, on Wednesday clashed with the permanent secretary (PS) the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) after the PS blamed the people of Teso for contributing to the poverty levels in the Sub-region.
Mr Pius Wakabi Kasajja, the PS, speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting to brainstorm on the opening of Soroti fruit factory at Soroti District council hall, accused the LC5 chairpersons and the people of Teso for encouraging the begging syndrome and presiding over the leadership of poor people.
The statement angered minister Ecweru who asked him to sit down. Mr Kasajja, however, carried on with the insults, prompting a war of words between the two as the minister accused the PS of being disrespectful.
Mr Ecweru said Teso and Karamoja are rated as having the highest poverty levels, followed by Busoga, “probably because of your department”.
“You deliver inputs late to the farmers and sometimes they are fake inputs,” he explained.
Mr Ecweru said the people of Teso have embraced government programmes and implemented agricultural projects but lack markets to sell their products.
Mr Joseph Opit Okojo, the LC5 chairperson for Serere District, accused the PS of paying a deaf ear to the problems of the people of Teso.
“The PS has never responded despite several complaints to MAAIF secretariat, so when you blame us for presiding over a poor lot, think twice,” he explained.
Mr Opit said farmers in the region lack market for their oranges and MAAIF is doing nothing to have the factory opened, “We are tired of double standards,” he said.
Mr Moses Olemukan, the LC5 Chairperson Bukedea District, urged the PS, instead of castigating Teso leaders, to champion the restocking and compensation of the region.
“PS himself is incompetent, besides, his utterances, he should go to the ground and give solutions,” he said.
Mr Walter Elakas, LC5 chairperson Katakwi, said they the reason why poverty is biting in Teso isbecause the Permanent secretary MAAIF underminds their efforts.
“You can’t come here to insult us, a councillor is earning Shs 175,000, he uses that very money to mobilise his people to embrace government programmes and you are telling us to spend our own money to buy Freshian cows, this money can’t buy cows,” he said.
Mr Kasajja kept quiet for the rest of the session.
The minster for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, who chaired the meeting, apologised on behalf of the PS and asked district leaders to forgive the PS, claiming that he was late and out of context.