Milton Olupot in Bukedea
12 July 2009
Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni rushed to Teso yesterday to make an on spot assessment of the food shortages in the region.
The President first visited Malera sub-county in Bukedea district, one of the hardest hit areas.
He visited three gardens where maize, sorghum and groundnuts crops have prematurely dried up.
"Don't panic, the people will not die of hunger because crops have failed.
We have solutions because we are a Government that knows how to handle people's problems," Museveni told the crowd that had gathered at the sub-county headquarters.
"The Government will relocate the money available to solve the food shortage problem."
He announced that food distribution had already started in the affected areas.
Besides emergency, the Government will also provide planting materials and hand hoes.
In a later phase, they will supply the farmers with ox-ploughs and tractors to till the land, he said.
The President particularly instructed for food to be distributed to schools.
The district education officer had reported an exodus of children either because they could not study on an empty stomach or their parents had pulled them out to work.
Referring to his inspection of various gardens, Museveni confirmed the crops had failed, but noted that some plants had survived and could be harvested.
He also said the Government will consider irrigation projects, extending from Sironko to Bukedea and Ongino, through gravity. The President blamed the erratic weather conditions on environmental degradation.
During his visit, 93 youth, including the Kolir sub-county FDC chairman, crossed to the NRM. In the affected areas, maize, ground nuts, sorghum and millet crops withered due to lack of rain.
According to David Odea, the Bukedea district speaker, people are surviving on porridge and leaves of young cassava plants. Some residents have resorted to picking leaves of wild trees, which they boil and pound, he added.
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