Chris Kiwawulo
20 November 2008
Kampala — THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has visited Karamoja sub-region to assess the progress of the upland rice project he started some months ago.
Back in August, Bukenya distributed bags of Upland rice seeds to farmers in the sub-region.
The VP believes Karamoja has a potential to feed itself and Uganda at large if it embraces rice growing.
A statement from his office yesterday said Bukenya visited rice gardens belonging to Nawada Women's Group in Namalu sub-county, Nakapiripirit district on Tuesday, "The Vice President introduced upland rice in Karamoja with a goal of curbing hunger, malnutrition and poverty that have characterised the sub-region for a long time," the statement added.
The Nakapiripirit residents commended Bukenya for starting the rice-growing project that they described as 'blossoming'.
The women's group chairperson, Lucy Lopua, briefed Bukenya about the opportunities that the project had brought to Namalu village. She said they now have hope that the rice would get them out of poverty.
"You thought about us and gave us these seeds that have turned into the rice garden you see here. Our children will go to school because we can now get money from this rice," said Lopua.
Bukenya also donated more rice seeds to the women farmers' group and urged them to expand their plantations to tap more money and develop the region.
The seeds are expected to cover two acres of each farmer.
Bukenya also visited Betty Lochap's two-acre rice garden in Iriri sub-county in Moroto. He thanked Lochap for the perseverance in taking up the project.
The VP called upon all NGOs working in the sub-region to support the ppland rice project to salvage Karamoja out of poverty.
State ministers Aston Kajara (Karamoja affairs), Peter Lokeris (primary education) and Moroto chairman Peter Ken Lochap accompanied Bukenya.
The VP is a leading promoter of the upland rice project across the country.
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