Government constructs UGX. 317m grain storage facility in Katakwi District
Vice President Jessica Alupo commissioning a bulking centre for agricultural produce accompanied by Hon. Minister Raphael Magyezi Minister of Local Government.
The Local Economic Growth Support Project under the Ministry of Local Government was launched in May, 2019, to improve livelihoods for farmers in the selected of Alebtong, Bunyangabu, Gomba, Kabarole, Katakwi, Kibuku, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Nakaseke and Ntoroko. These are supported with range of economic structure.
An additional seven (7) districts are receiving Rural Financing support to a range of micro, small and medium enterprises.
The Project overall goal is to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable development goals, with main emphasis on No poverty, Zero Hunger, clean Water and sanitation, Affordable and clean Energy.
Farmers in Katakwi District have reasons to celebrate after the construction and commissioning of a UGX. 317m bulking centre for agricultural produce at Ongongoja Sub County. The Ongongoja multi-purpose storage facility is a solid investment by Government through funding from the Islamic Bank aimed at creating a one-stop grain and cereal centre in the District.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Alupo accompanied by the Minister of Local Government commended the Ministry of Local Government and the implementers of LEGs Project for extending such facilities to Teso region. She congratulated the Ministry for introducing the Local people to modern and vast ways of storing produce as away of improving their income for better livelihoods.
“The Ongongoja multi-purpose storage facility will kindle production. The Project is going to turn around the traditional thinking or attitude of the Local Communities to modern ways of doing things,” Alupo noted.
Hon. Minister Magyezi giving remarks at the Launch.
The Minister of Local Government in his remarks said LEGs Project is financing construction and rehabilitation of water supply schemes for households and agricultural production, construction of community access roads and agricultural processing facilities.
He noted that in Katakwi District, the Project has rehabilitated Ngariam-Palam-Ising 13km road, construction and equipping of the Ocorimongin Rice processing plant and financing Palam fruit farmers Cooperative with a capacity of UGX. 50m under the rural financing component. This will fulfil the main objective and anticipated outcomes of the LEGs Project that feeds into implementation of sustainable Development Goals of Ugandan Vision 2040.
The Honorable Minister also promised that Government will provide Tractors to the farmers in Katawi to ease farming on a large scale.
At the same event, Assumpta Tibamweda who was representing the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government thanked the VP for being a member of Ongogoja fruit Growers Cooperative Society Limited and heeding the President’s call of working with and for the people and for practically on ground to improve service delivery.
She assured members that the bulking centres are key points of quality and quantity management of produce. She asked the Cooperative members and farmers to fill up the facility with grain.
The LC5 chairperson Omolo Geoffrey thanked the Ministry and Government for their effort to ease service delivery and transforming Livelihoods through the many good Projects being implemented, citing previous challenges of post-harvest losses encountered by farmers.
Geoffrey thanked the LEGs Project for the rehabilitation of Ngariam Palam and Ising road which has improved accessibility and connection, especially in tracking criminals. “Soldiers used to walk over 70KMS a day on foot patrol which has now changed”. He added.
The Cooperative Members appreciated the Government of Uganda for the facility,” We are now talking as farmers with one voice, there is no more exploitation of Middle men, we are selling our produce to Kenya, Busia and also looking for market in South Sudan,” Gabriel Engole the Chairperson of the Cooperative said.
Ongogonja Cooperative limited members and other members of the community at the launch.
