Day

By Yosam Gucwaki
in Masindi—-
Kinyara sugar Factory officials, the RDC Masindi and the state
minister for Bunyoro affairs, Ernest Kiiza, have been grilled by the
district leaders and the sugar cane farmers’ representatives over
exploitation of farmers by Kinyara.
The trio was grilled on Wednesday during a stake holders meeting that
was organized by the Resident District Commissioner Masindi, Godfrey
Nyakahuma at Kabalega Resort.
Speaker after speaker blamed Kinyara for failing to handle issues
which oppress sugar cane farmers which include under paying farmers,
delayed harvesting of cane, delayed payment among others.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the chairperson LCV, Masindi district, accused
Kinyara sugar management for not being transparent noting that as
leaders in Masindi have engaged Kinyara over many issues all in vein
adding that Kinyara does this because state protects them.

Byraruhanga added that unless Kinyara comes and start protecting the
farmers that is when the farmers will be relieved of the tribulations
they are going through.
He added that what is hurting them is the state to protect the
investor at the expense of the farmers saying that the state is a 100%
leaning on the side of investors.

Robert Atugonza, the chairperson Masindi district out growers
Association, said that if Kinyara doesn’t style up its operations,
farmers will cause a demonstration noting that is optimistic that this
will cause scarcity of sugar in the country.

Atugonza added that  they are going to organize a demonstration
becuase Kinyara is paying cane farmers peanuts adding that when the
time for the demonstration reaches,  the RDC  should grant them
permission such that they can show the world the exploitation they are
going through.

Jos wamara a sugar cane farmer from Bwijanga Sub County explained that
farmers are being exploited because this matter might have not been
brought to the attention of the president maintaining that what they
want is timely harvesting and payment farmers.
He added that if these issues were addressed to the president, he
wouldn’t have issued a directive stopping sugar cane from moving
outside Masindi.

One of the resolutions which were reached at was the RDC Masindi
Godfrey Nyakahuma gave an ultimatum of one week to the haulage manager
to have eliminated spillage of cane or be arrested.

Speaking during the same meeting, Visnu, the Finance controller
Kinyara also who represented the General Manager accepted to look into
the issues which were addressed to him noting that they are going to
ensure that they improve where they have not been moving well.

Ernest Kiiza the Bunyoro affairs Minister promised to take up the
issues distressing the farmers and also dismissed allegations revealed
by Cosmas Byarruhanga the LCV masindi district that the state has done
nothing but exploiting them at the expense of the farmers.

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BY OKOODI DEO

IN MBARARA—-

The director for the directorate of Education Standards in the Ministry of Education Dr. Kedress Turyagyenda has directed all education officers and inspectors of schools in the country to ensure that parents do not send thier children to unlicensed schools for second term.

Addressing leaders from various districts in the western region at OXFORD INN Hotel in Mbarara Municipality Dr Kedress said that all Pupils and students must be sent to licenced private and government schools in the country in order for the government to easily register them for national identification program.

Kedress made a directive after the district chairperson Kabarole Rwabuhinga Richard together with the area RDC Asiimwe Stephen said that majority of the children may not be traced since some of the schools where they study from will be closed down as the term begins.

But the RDC Buhweju Emmy Kateera disagreed with the directive saying this would make it difficult for them to trace pupils and students since most schools in the district are not registered which he said create a serious crisis if government does not rescind its position.

Early this year the ministry of education issued a circular to all districts requesting relvant departments to close down all illegal schools operating in their respective localities but in Bushenyi district where the directive was implemented such schools again reopened as the area education officer Rwampororo Saul revealed.

About 10.8 million of school going age between five and sixteen years pupils and students in primary, secondary and post primary schools are targeted for the exercise slated to commence on 29th may and end 29th August 2017.

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