IGARA TEA BOARD, FARMERS’ FIGHTS: FINALLY AGM SET FOR NOV. 23, 2018

By Ambrose Katoto

www.mknewslink.com

In Ishaka—

Following the rift between the tea farmers under Igara Tea Growers factory limited and their board of directors, the annual general meeting has been scheduled for November 23rd this year as per the letter written by the registrar general of companies.

Mr.Onesmus Matsiko, the General Manager Igara Growers Tea Company has admitted that its true there are issues between the board and some shareholders mainly on leadership.

But he is optimistic that the AGM will sort of some of the grievances that have cropped up in the recent past.

Masiko has maintained that as management they are working professionally to see the standoff does not affect the operations of the company.

The row at Igara tea growers stems back in 2010 since then farmers have been questioning the manner in which the company is being run with various audit queries.

Now, it has continued to widen with the farmers accusing the board of mal-administration, failure to step down after their tenure of office elapsed and cutting down tea prices.

A serious row erupted when their tenure of office expired last year in August since they are mandated to serve for only six years.

The names of four members out of eight that are wanted to step down, are Eng. Gershom Rwakasanga (Chairman) Edson Musiime Batuma(director) Daniel Nareeba (director) and Eldard Muhangisa( director).

Tea Farmers have in recent weeks made numerous resolutions among which is to suspend the constitution of the company which was illegally adopted by an illegal board, having a proper audit ever since farmers started raising their concerns, to terminate the board of directors in the next Annual General meeting and appoint new board members, ensure that zonal meetings are properly conducted aiming at involving all members and amending the agenda for the AGM.

Other resolutions were preparing documents to sue the board members in courts of law without forgetting to seek appointment with the president Yoweri Museveni.

A section of political leaders from greater Bushenyi have expressed their worry that the ongoing bickering might pull down the factory.

In a letter that was written on 16th November by Jaffar Basajabalaba, the LCV chairman for Bushenyi district, he noted that its very unfortunate that a company whose majority of households derives their livelihood is threatened as if there is no rule of law.

The registrar General of Uganda Registration Service Bureau Mr. Silverio Mwesigwas letter dated October 16, 2018 addressed to directors of Igara Growers Tea Factory Limited advised that the current board should desist from carrying out any action/transaction that may be prejudice to the current status of the company by way of resolution from the time the complaint was lodged up to when the issues raised are solved.

Ronald Rwakangi who was one of the lead petitioners says that a lot of fishy moves that have been planned by the board including cutting tea prices from shs 600 per kilogram to shs 470.

He adds that without the resolution of the AGM, they have been drawing off companys money to construct another factory of Kanuka.

Igara tea factory located in Bushenyi district is one of the leading tea producers in Uganda which has over 6000 farmers from districts of Buhweju, Bushenyi, and Rubirizi.

Source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
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