The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Farmers in the Mubuku irrigation scheme in Kasese district are demanding for the transfer of the in-charge of the scheme, Lawrence Tibesigwa over allegations of mismanagement.
The farmers under their umbrella body, “Mubuku irrigation settlement farmer’s cooperative society ltd”, accuse Tibesigwa of selling the scheme’s land to private developers and ghost farmers.
Michael Bagonza, the chairperson of the farmers in the scheme says instead of protecting the land, Tibesigwa has subdivided it into small pieces. According to Bagonza, the dairy units in the scheme have been turned into cultivation grounds to technically eliminate farmers from the area.
Yasin Tumwine, one of the farmers in the scheme says there is a need for verification of all persons on the scheme to establish how they occupied the land. He says there are fears that some of the gazetted plots in the scheme were illegally sold to private people.
Wilson Mutegeki, another farmer in the scheme says they are also questioning the competency of Tibesigwa. He explains that they were told that he was supposed to serve as an agronomist on a two years contract.
Tumwine says they are ready to take over full management of the scheme including hiring and paying for a new in-charge as a solution to having competent persons to serve.
But Tibesigwa who refuted the claims blames self-seekers for trying to frustrate his efforts in revamping and protecting the scheme from land grabbers. He also says that both the farmers and the cooperative members have no authority to transfer him.
Frank Ntankovu, the Rwenzori East CID advises the farmers to formally present their concerns before the responsible offices and avoid actions that could cause chaos.
There are more than 160 registered farmers utilizing 516 of the 2,230 hectares of land.
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