Don’t become liability to gov’t, FRONASA members warned

GULU-The national vice chairperson Historical League for Greater North, Brig. Gen. Bosco Omure has scoffed at the Front for National Salvation [FRONASA] members in Acholi Sub-region, saying they are more interested in seeking the audience of President Museveni rather than embracing government programmes to develop themselves.

To him, FRONASA members are not exceptional from other citizens in the country, urging the former soldiers to embrace government programmes such as Operation Wealth Creation [OWC], Emyooga, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP] and the Parish Development Model [PDM] if they want to chase poverty out of their households.

FRONASA is a former rebel military movement founded in 1971 by Museveni to fight former president Idi Amin’s dictatorial regime.

In Acholi, more than 5,000 members of FRONASA at the time served as combatants, informers, collaborators and coordinators during the liberation struggle.

However, Gen. Omure, says FRONASA should not be a liability to government. “FRONASA members, should instead get organised in terms of leadership and management so that they benefit from the existing programmes meant to uplift the country’s peasants.”

He urged members to revamp their cooperative [FRONASA Cooperative Society] by electing the new leadership which he advised should always reach out to district commercial officers for technical support when it comes to matters of cooperatives.

He said some FRONASA members received donations from Museveni but have nothing to show for them. “There are several packages that have been extended to the families of FRONASA combatants and others in Acholi by President Museveni, but still little is seen on the ground even at the household level.”

In 2017, about 3,000 members formed FRONASA Cooperative Society in Acholi Sub-region but the members are still entangled in leadership struggles, something that has hindered their cooperative from thriving.

The Cooperative was formed to geared to help FRONASA members improve their household income through viable enterprises.

Most members of the cooperative are peasant farmers who realise their proceeds after harvest and selling.

Omoro district senior commercial officer, Okumu Obina said FRONASA Cooperative Society is not exercising principles of democratic member control, autonomy and independence.

“It is not an independent cooperative. That is why there are also leadership gaps. They have not come to our office for advice but when they finally come, we shall advise them on how best they can run their cooperative,” he said, adding that unless members get organised, they will not benefit from the cooperative.

The current Chairperson FRONASA Cooperative in Acholi, Billy Graham Olanya castigated prominent NRM cadres in the region, alleging they are responsible for the current mess in the cooperative.

“NRM big shots in the region have hijacked the leadership of FRONASA Cooperative Society. That is why it is limping,’’ he said.

Olanya said NRM senior cadres in the sub-region should focus on mobilising support for the party but not meddle in the affairs of the cooperative.

“Our attempts to re-organise the FRONASA Cooperative Society has always hit a dead end and at the moment, we are seeking the intervention of President Museveni so that roles are streamlined,” he said.

“There are also some people who do not even have the blood of FRONASA fighters, who are blocking us from getting support from President Museveni, yet we have several unfinished business with him.”

The resident district commissioner Omoro, Andrew Onyuk said he is yet to engage with the FRONASA Cooperative executives on how best the leadership wrangles can be resolved.

“I have had a lot on my table but soon I will engage the executives on the matter. For now, I cannot talk authoritatively,’’ he said when asked whether he was ready to help.

Last year, the cooperative’s members accused their leadership of receiving cash from President Museveni and shared it amongst themselves, something which angered other members.

Omure also urged religious and cultural leaders as well as politicians in Acholi to sensitise the masses about the existing poverty eradication programmes.

Meanwhile, retired Bishop, Macleod Baker Ochola, faulted government, saying it is not wise to give money to a hungry population for development purposes.

“A lot of money from government has been blown off by the hungry people and when you go to the ground, there is nothing tangible they have done for themselves to fight poverty,’’ he said.

To him, giving incentives is much better than giving them money. People should instead be taught how to generate money but not given money.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics latest report, poverty levels in Acholi still stand at 69 percent.

https://thecooperator.news/fronasa-launches-sacco-calls-for-return-of-cooperative-bank/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

Views: 4