ARUA – President Yoweri Museveni has blamed political leaders in West Nile Sub-region for failing to enforce the by-laws against bush burning that has become so common in the region.
Museveni said frequent bush burning makes soils fertility, leading to low crop yields, further urging leaders in the communities to sensitise masses on the dangers bush burning poses to the local environment.
The President made the remarks at the State Lodge in Arua City on Thursday while addressing over 100 members of West Nile Press Association on regional development. Museveni met the journalists as he continued his regional tour as he preaches the gospel of wealth creation in the country.
He said bush burning in the area should be discouraged since there are no any other alternative ways of feeding animals during dry seasons when the grass on which animals feed is burnt.
“Stop bush burning to feed your animals and give your land enough rest to regain its fertility,” he said urging locals in West Nile to embrace in order to practice the 4-acre model of farming for socio-economic transformation.
He said land in Uganda has been disabled from producing enough food dues to the abuse of the environment.
Meanwhile, the Nebbi district environmental officer, Richard Ujuku on his part urged the cultural leaders who are the custodians of the land on which bush burning and wood logging take place to do more by discouraging their subjects from carrying out activities that harm the environment.
He added that frequent bush burning and deforestation have caused drought and deteriorated the soil fertility, resulting in low agricultural output and famine in some areas.
“It’s quite hard to control bush burning because sometimes because the bush burning happens deep at night but still people must be sensitized to protect the environment,” Ujuku said.
However, the Nebbi district Women Member of Parliament, Agnes Acibu said human activities like bush farming and charcoal burning have remained the main major contributors to climate change, urging the locals to engage in activities that protect the environment.
“Our lands have lost its fertility because they are mismanaged and making it unfavorable for crop production that’s why our lands produce less and experiencing food insecurity in some parts of the country,” Acibu said.
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