Cassava stems sow seeds of discontent

Farmers in Kamwenge District, who were given cassava cuttings, have rejected them, saying they are too dry and unfit for planting.

Over 200 sacks of cassava cuttings worth Shs7 million were reportedly bought from Luweero District by Tamsaka Contractors for farmers in Nkoma Sub-county, Kibaale County.

However, after discovering that the cassava cuttings were dry, the beneficiaries mobilised themselves and carried the cuttings to the office of the Resident District Commissioner, Mr Ignatius Basisisra, to register their dissatisfaction.

Punishment awaits
The deputy RDC, Mr Elijah Biryabarema, said whoever is found to have caused the mess will face the law.“I have already summoned all the officers implicated in this mess and we are continuing with investigations to find out whether the cassava cuttings were procured dry or they dried at the sub-county headquarters, or in the hands of the beneficiary farmers,” said Mr Biryabarema.

The area councillor, Mr George Tunanukye, who was one of the beneficiaries, said action must be taken against the contractor and the procuring team.

Efforts to get a comment from the contractor, Mr Moses Kwesiga, were fruitless as his phone was switched off. But the sub-county chief, Ms Harriet Niyigira, blamed the farmers for not responding on time when called to collect the cassava cuttings.

The cuttings were procured with funding from the National Agricultural Advisory Services in December last year and were given to farmers two weeks ago.