President Yoweri Museveni has halted the release of the NAADS funds for 2010/2011 financial year following widespread complaints over mismanagement of its implementation.He said the Shs 120 billion for this financial year will only be released after thorough scrutiny of the projects and current beneficiaries of the programme. The President was addressing a public rally at Boma grounds in Fort portal Municipality. He is in the western Rwenzori Sub-region district of Kabarole as part of his national tour to promote and popularize government’s Prosperity For All programme (PFA). The programme implemented under NAADS is aimed at fighting household poverty through modern agricultural production and commercialization of agriculture to improve incomes.
The President’s announcement follows widespread complaints of financial impropriety, corruption, lack of transparency in farmer selection and the poor implementation of the US$108 million project in various districts. In some of the districts affected by the civil strife, it was found that money was sent while the people were still in the camps and it disappeared and remained unaccounted for while in others, the cost of stocks including animals and poultry was inflated and prohibitive to the farmers. People also complained of lack of knowledge of the programme and lack of transparency in farmer selection. They accused NAADS and district officials of benefiting themselves instead. The President has directed independent audits of farmer projects and value for money.
NAADS programme initiated under the NRM government has a vision for 25 years with seven years for its first phase covering the financial period 2001/2002 through to 2007/2008 at a cost of US$108 million. In the second phase funding is set to increase from US$108 million to US$460 million for the next five years. The programme is funded by the government of Uganda, cooperating partners, participating local governments and participating farmers.
In October 2007, implementation of NAADS was suspended and only resumed in April 2008 after a cabinet review. The suspension was as a result of problems arising from poor procurement processes, lack of accountability, inadequate local government capacities and lack of political support at local government level.
The President said the measure to stop this year’s release will enable them review how the funds have been used and rectify the problems. He however said government will increase funding to the programme to ensure that more farmers benefit from the skills and training to help them engage in modern and commercial agriculture production. The President urged the people to exploit the benefits from modern agricultural practices saying it’s the best way to tackle poverty especially in the rural areas.
He said infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, health centres, education etc are the responsibility of government, adding that the basic requirement in for individuals to tackle household poverty.
“I don’t have a tarmac road in in Rwakitura or Kisozi nor do I have piped water but am not doing badly. Me and my neighbours are doing better than some people who have these things. Wealth is not in the roads or power but in your hands. For example I don’t go for holidays in Europe when I get some time, I just go to my farms in Rwakitura and Kisozi to look after my cows because that is where the wealth is. The cows have never refused to get on a truck to be transported to Kampala market because the roads are murrum,” he said.
The President also urged the people to guard against reckless behavior that may lead them to contract HIV/AIDS saying their lives are precious and need to be protected. He also called upon them to jealously guard the peace and security currently prevailing in the country and to educate their children, adding that government is working towards providing better infrastructure to facilitate their work.
The President appealed to Ugandans to take elections seriously saying electing bad leaders can take the country back into chaos.
“UPC allied with Kabaka Yeka to take power in 1962 but after only 4 years, there was bloodshed. All this bloodshed did not stop until NRM came to power in 1986. Politics is not a joke or game. If you elect bad leaders, you pay a heavy price,” he said.
The president said the current high cost of power was as a result of the bad leaders in the 6th parliament including John Kazoora, Salaam Musumba, Jack Sabiti etc who opposed the construction of Bujagali dam forcing the government to resort to the use of diesel which is eight times more expensive.
“Fortunately, people voted them out, and now we are working on the dams,” he said.
Earlier the President visited Mr. Nyakojo a model farmer of Kirabi village in Fort Portal who is involved in poultry, piggery and banana growing and gets over 50 million shillings a year. He encouraged other farmers to learn from him and transform their projects.
The president also honoured his pledge of Shs 38million to Kabarole Veterans Association. He also donated 20 improved cows to women’s association in the municipality.
Kabarole leaders commended the president for his wise leadership and fulfilling his pledges including the upgrading of Buhinga hospital into a referral facility, reconstruction of Mpanga market, construction of a fertilizer plant, reconstruction of Mpanga Secondary school and rehabilitation of the roads in the municipality.
Ref: http://www.statehouse.go.ug/news.php?catId=1&item=805 [22nd July,2010]
Compiled by
Bwambale Edwin
ICT Officer, RIC-NET
No comments:
Post a Comment