Famine continues to run rapid in Isingiro District!

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“I am buying a second belt for my stomach in addition to the one for my trousers” says a man in Isingiro, in the district that is hunger stricken, famine and drought.

Isingiro District Veterinary Officer Dr Bruhan Kasozi told a radio that the district is currently experiencing what could be its worst dry spell in a decade.

The continued reports of famine and draught in Isingiro District happens and the Government tries to react, but with very little effect. The relief is mediocre at best, not even well-prepared even as the draught has been steady since mid-year in 2015. The Livestock and water issue is rising, there been reported that 8 kids has lost their life during the recent week because of the starvation. This is the people of district that is in the hands of government doesn’t have effort, will or care to really change the pattern of the famine in Isingiro District. Here is what I collected of the continued situation. Something that is not what it’s supposed to be, the Police still over-react in the nation as even Local Councillors are detained for opening a Livestock market in the needs in the district.

This is happening as the State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Hon. Musa Ecweru said: “The hunger situation in the country is serious especially in the cattle corridor. We are starting the relief program from Isingiro district because of the magnitude of the problem” (NBS TV Uganda, 01.11.2016).

“The State minister for relief and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru, is calling for serious interventions to tame adverse weather conditions causing calamities in the country. The minster said this Yesterday while in Isingiro district where he was distributing food relief items to residents hit by famine due to the long drought” (91.2 Crooze FM, 05.11.2016).

As the reported deliver on the 4th November after months of draught and famine, was this:

“In Isingiro District where famine rages on, government has delivered food aid, each recipient got at least one cupful of flour and beans. There are reports that a number of people and animals have died of starvation” (NBS TV Uganda, 04.11.2016).

Like again on the 5th November the LC2 Chairperson of Kayonza Parish in Isingiro District. Here the locals lined up for more posho and beans… to fill their cups of starving tummies in the parish.

Detained for opening the Livestock market:

The chairman LC 5 for Isingiro district has been arrested and put to prison after attempting to reopen the animal markets that were closed down by the government following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. He’s been arrested under the orders of the area RDC Mr Herbert Muhangi citing defiance of the district leader. The chairman Kamurari Jeremiah Birungi has been planning to reopen the markets and has been informing the public that today Thursday is the day to operationlise the markets regardless of the central government’s directive and the quarantine. He was found in Endiinzi sub county where he had gone to open the market” (OMO Blaze Media House, 03.11.2016).

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Preparation from the Iqra Foundation:

“Asalam alaykum brothers and sisters preparations for for Isingiro district relief in progress areas to be visted are saa no 260, Rukungiri 278, Mbale 334, Kashariira 270, Mule mâ 480 ….families thanks to Mr Amin from Kotecha family Eng Fahir , Beejay,Fred Kafooko etc now at Iqra foundation mbarara mosque with 20 tones maize flower and 3.5 sugar please send more we are leaving tomorrow at 7 am may Allah the Almighty bless you all”.

Good Donations:

Muslims in Western Uganda have extended relief to several families in Bukanga County – one of the most drought-hit areas. It`s addition to donations coming from various humanitarian organizations. Among the food items, were posho flour, rice and sugar, handed to some 1,700 households” (Urban Television, 07.11.2016).

And you know the draught is serious when the prices of Jerry-cans of water cost up to 1, 500 shillings. Before the draught the price of water in Jerry-cans cost about 200 or 300 shillings. So this proves that the starving and lack of water is striking the prices of the necessary. The biggest delivery are from a NGO and not the Government. So the Iqra Foundation is doing much more than the State, which is really the epitome of this Administration under President Museveni who is reckless policy on his own behalf. This is as the Second Minister Kibazanga

“The nation’s northeastern Karamoja region is the worst hit with two in three people having access to only half a meal or less per day, Christopher Kibazanga, minister of state for agriculture, said in an e-mailed statement from the capital, Kampala. Teso sub-region and the western district of Isingiro are also badly affected” (…) “There is fear if individuals and families do not manage the available food stocks at household levels well, the situation can quickly deteriorate to the emergency and famine stages of food insecurity within the next two months,” Kibazanga said” (Ojambo, 2016).

So the Ministers Kibanzanga and Ecweru are saying that this is serious business and how hard the area is hit. Still, the deliverance of emergency relief has been meagre from the government as even Local Councillor has complained at the rate; still the good news is that the Muslim relief has come. This is coming as the lack of rain and continues draught at the area. Prices of livestock have fallen and the price of water from the Jerry-Cans has gone up 5 times recently.

More on the Livestock market:

“According to Kangwagye, once the livestock markets are reopened people would easily sell of their animals and get money to meet their other needs. Kangwagye told URN that he intends to join other leaders to ensure the livestock markets are reopened. Kangwagye’s statements come a day after Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries Minister; Vincent Bamulangaki Sempijja accused Isingiro leaders of undermining the livestock quarantine. On Saturday, Sempijja accused the local authorities for politicizing the livestock quarantine, which compromises efforts by Ministry to eliminate the foot and mouth disease from Isingiro district. According to Sempijja, instead of backing the quarantine, politicians in Isingiro district are mobilizing livestock farmers to reopen the closed livestock markets. The Animal Diseases Act only mandates the Commissioner in Charge of Animal Health to lift quarantine. Any person who defies the quarantine faces a fine of Shillings 2 million or 2 years in prison or both” (100.4 Hills FM Kabale, 07.11.2016).

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So the continues hunger and issues are coming to the surface as the Livestock issue is not stopping, the management and administration from the government is really weak. Therefore the Ministers are even criticising their government response to draught and deaths in the districts.

What is striking is how the Ugandan People through help is now starting to donate money to get food for the Isingiro, both Muslims and Christian NGOs are doing and planning to deliver food to the needy. The interesting is that the NGOs are giving more than the Government. The report of one cup of Beans and Posho is really not a real relief in the midst of a famine and draught that lasts months on end.

The ends have to come and the state has to deliver, also show plans of progression, if not to talk about new plans of collecting water and serving these communities; which should be priority, this problem where even there when the President and his team went on campaigns in the district.

So the reality is bleak and what is worse is all the men and woman, even kids are starving because of the continued draught. The Famine has to be sorted and the Government actually act responsible to the citizens of the district.

Peace.

Reference:

Ojambo, Fred – ‘Uganda Says 1.3 Million People Are Facing Hunger Due to Drought’ (04.11.2016) link:   http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-04/uganda-says-1-3-million-people-are-facing-hunger-due-to-drought

Exclusive Footage: When President Magufuli blasted President Kenyatta and entire Cabinet for Ethnic Exlusivity

“In this previously unseen video footage, during his visit to Kenya earlier this week, Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli laments about Kenya’s never-ending tribal hegemony at State House, Nairobi during the State Banquet hosted in his honour by the Government of Kenya. Speaking in prestine Swahili, President Magufuli openly castigates President Uhuru for failing to unite Kenyans and for perpetuating negative tribalism which he says is the primary impediment to Kenya’s socio-economic development. Magufuli says that Tanzania with up to 121 ethnic communities have always been united under one Swahili tribe in a country known as Tanzania, and therefore he sees no reason why Kenya with only 43 tribes (including the Makonde) cannot be closely united under one cohesive nation. Magufuli, the current Chairman of East Africa Community, stops short of pegging resumption of normal bilateral relations between Kenya and Uganda on a more ethnically representative Kenya” (Phil Wesonga, 02.11.2016).

A look into the famine of Isingiro district!

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Our economy is on a downward trend. The majority are hurting. Businesses are closing. Tax collections are down. Citizens are dying of famine in Karamoja and Isingiro, so far. But the President is quiet, only busy campaigning and buying votes for 2021 and wasting our scarce resources on numerous useless foreign trips” (Wafula Oguttu, 28.10.2016).

“Climate: Equatorial climate with Mean annual rainfall of 1,200mm and temperature range between 170C to 300C. Rain season during the months of March to April and September to November” (Isingiro District Economic Profile – Ministry of Trade Industry & Cooperatives, www.mtic.go.ug ). So you can see that the estimated rain has not come to the district as the rainy season has not happen and the annual rainfall must be less or none of what is expected in Isingiro. Therefore the draught and hunger happens as the government has none or no services or relief to their citizens. Therefore the dire reports is to show how neglectful and spread the news of the failure of the NRM and their 30 years an counting President delivers steady regress on yet another field.

“We shall get water from River Kagera but we have some problem with Tanzania, we wanted to build a power dam on River Kagera but they delayed to agree to the deal, that river is not ours only, it is shared. There is, however, a new leadership (in Tanzania). Let us see how we work with them. If it will not be possible, we shall turn to River Rwizi and Lake Nakivale,”Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 11th January 2016 in Isingiro District during his campaign earlier this year.

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There are reports of famine and hunger crisis in Isingiro district in Uganda. Just of yesterday alone there people dying and that is just the beginning. This is a district that has been famous for great production of Banana (Matooki) farming, the worst hit district in Isingiro region is Bukahanga County. The river that has been necessary for watering the fields have become dry and less viable that is River Kagera; the severe draught has also caused the deaths of livestocks of the district as well.

On the 19th October it was reported that 9 people had died. On the 29th October 13 people died this last week.

“People in Isingiro district are dyeing due to total famine in the area, the famine in the area has been caused by prolonged drought in the area which is said to have been caused by swamp drainage and forest encroachment in the area, tens of people have already kicked the bucket in the county of Bukanga and others are following“ (Stillhope Foundation, 25.10.2016).

“Following a huge calamity that befell Isingiro district, in terms of floods, draught and hail storms most people have been seen leaving the district to other neighboring district for safety. Most affected sub counties include Bukanga, Kashumba,Rushasha, Ngarama, Rugaaga among others” (Glory 106.7 FM, 28.10.2016).

Just as the dying livestock, the number of cows that has died been reported up to 5,000 and the draught the prices of food is evolving, like a cow cost now 20,000 shillings. There reports that school children suffer through classes as they are not able to focus through class and memorize the knowledge, as they are suffering through the classes with empty stomachs. By October this draught has lasted for 7 months and still counting. There been also reports that the people of Isingiro now walk for 20 kilometers for water needed to boil their food, as the reports are even of people eating raw Papaya or Paw Paw to redeem their hunger for a while.

While this is happening there are no words from the Local Councilor (LCV) Jeremiah Kamurari over the draught or the famine. The utter silence from the state shows the desperation of the matter.

Old report of the River Kagera water system:

Kagera Water System: The secondary and tertiary tributaries of the water system are U-shaped with permanent and seasonal swamps and drains into Kagera River. It drains the parts of Bukanga and Isingiro Counties” (…) “The permanent swamps are dominated by Cyperus and Typha domingesis while the seasonal flooding edges and enchroached parts of wetlands are occupied by the sedges. The floating vegetation occurs in open waters especially the invasive weed of the water hyacinth which still exists in River Kagera, Kizimbi wetland and River Rwizi” (…) “Kagera System – Threats: Degraded river bank – with seasonal crops. Opening of virgin area for agriculture. A lot of siltation. Water hyacinth” (Jeconius Musingwe and Godfrey Rugyema – ‘FINAL DRAFT MBARARA DISTRICT WETLAND INVENTORY REPORT’ (P: 8, 11 & 17), September 2002).

With this in mind, the knowledge of making the Kagera Water System, that could lead into dangers, which are now evident. It is man-made created, not climate-change, but local produced water system that the drainage and river bank doesn’t work like they did, because of the local change of flow of water and such. We can question if the project and drainage together with the loss of rain has made the draught much worse. The implication if is there was a drainage and project on the River Kagera, than the draught might had less impact; that is something should be discussed and not forgotten. The man-made problems are not new anywhere, it is just about the happen and this time it was in Isingiro district. The sad thing is that families are powerless towards the Government and their will. The same is the Government is powerless to change weather and the rain falling from the sky.

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The good news from the district is that the Government has been able in recent month to build a Staff Quarter for the Isingiro Government Prison. So the Government has been able to do something, but not to get food for the starving public or gain interest of the media to see if the Central Government in Parliament to act upon the hunger. They are just waiting for the gravy train together with Tanzania, because of building a Power Dam, instead of thinking of the agricultural value and the livestock that is dying in the area. This is something to pound on? Yes! People should be more important than a Power Dam. Though the NRM seems to think differently; that is proven as the draught and such has not changed the behavior of the regime. Peace!   

Bank of Tanzania take over of Twiga Bancorp Limited (28.10.2016)

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PBO: Kenya is borrowing without all requisite policies in place (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENLwLw0K6jY

“The government is borrowing without proper revenue planning or policies that factor in revenue growth challenges. This, according to Parliament’s Budget Office, coupled with the growing need to finance projects, will see the level of Kenya’s debt increasing in the coming year, which is already a cause for concern for some” (Kenya NTV, 2016)

Press Statement: Found Debris of MH370 outside of Island of Pemba, Tanzania (15.09.2016)

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MEPs back trade deal with six African countries (14.09.2016)

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BRUSSELS, Belgium, September 14, 2016 –The European Parliament approved an agreement granting duty-free access to the EU for products from Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho, and improved market access for South Africa on Wednesday.

“This agreement will help our African partner states to reduce poverty and can also facilitate their smooth and gradual integration into the world economy. There are also many safeguards in the deal to ensure that local people truly benefit from this cooperation. The language on human rights and sustainable development is one of the strongest that you will find in any EU agreement”, said rapporteur Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (ALDE, DE), before the vote.

MEPs approved the deal by 417 votes to 216, with 66 abstentions.

Free access to EU markets

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with six member states of the South African Development Community (SADCestablishes a “positive discrimination”, ensuring immediate duty- and quota-free access for their exports to the EU market. It also creates new regional opportunities through more flexible use of rules of origin.

The African countries will liberalise 86% of their trade with the EU (Mozambique 74%) over ten years with the exception of agricultural and fishery products. The deal replaces the previous interim agreements based on unilateral trade preferences and complies with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

Safeguards

While the agreement covers only trade and development cooperation, it leaves the door open for services, investment, intellectual property and public procurement. To mitigate potential negative impacts on the SADC countries, several safeguards were added to the deal. The EU undertook not to subsidize its agricultural exports to these countries.

The deal also lists trade-related areas that could benefit from EU development cooperation funding, but none is pledged at this stage.

Monitoring

In a July resolution, international trade MEPs advocated strengthening the monitoring of the agreement to ensure that “its benefits for the people are maximized”. The committee also tabled an oral question to the Commission for this plenary on parliamentary oversight and civil society monitoring.

Next steps: The deal will enter into force once the Council formally approves it and the national parliaments of the six African states ratify the text.

Note to the editors: in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement of 2000, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the EU agreed to negotiate reciprocal, though asymmetric, trade agreements to comply with WTO rules and to support these countries’ development and integration into the world economy.

Negotiations were to be concluded by the end of 2007, but the process took longer and the EU finished negotiations with six states of the SADC Group in July 2014. Angola finally decided not to enter into the agreement, but may join in the future. 

Negotiations with six SADC states ended in 2014. The other eight (Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) belong to other regional EPA groupings.

AU condoles with Tanzania following Earthquake (13.09.2016)

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma sends a message of condolence to the Government and people of Tanzania following Saturday’s earthquake.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 13, 2016 -The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma sends a message of condolence to the Government and people of Tanzania following Saturday’s earthquake that hit the North – Western part of Tanzania. The earthquake is reported to have claimed 16 lives and injured over 200 people.

“On behalf of the African Union, the AU Commission and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Tanzania, and particularly to the families of those that lost their loved ones,” she said.

The AU Commission Chairperson further wishes the injured victims a quick recovery and expressed the AU’s solidarity with the victims and the people of Tanzania in these tragic circumstances.

H.E. Benjamin Mpaka Statement at the Extra-Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit recently (Earlier in September 2016)

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