LIRA-Government through the Office of the Prime Minister [OPM] has donated 36 heifers to religious and cultural leaders in the Lango Sub-region to improve their economic status and act as model farmers.
The animals were handed over on Saturday to 11 institutions and individuals including Lira University, Bishops Emeritus, John Charles Odurkami of Lango Diocese, and Alex Acur Okodi of West Lango Diocese.
Grace Filda Akello, a technical officer in the office of the minister of state for Northern Uganda handed over the heifers in a brief ceremony held at Mayor`s Gardens in Lira City.
Among those that received the cows were; the Vice Chancellor Lira University, Jasper Ogwal Okeng, Deputy Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum, Bishops Prof Alfred Olwa of Lango Diocese, Sanctus Lino Wanok of Lira Diocese, James Okallo of Truth Fountain among others.
Akello said they identified the leaders based on their economic viability and stability of the families to take good care of the animals without burdening the government when it comes to treatment and feeding.
She said keeping the heifers needs a person who can properly feed and treat them. This, she said, requires families that are financially stable to provide the money for feed and treatment as well as shelter.
“This time I am happy because heifers were given to entities that are economically stable and can take proper care of the animals,” she said.
She said some of the poor families that were given the animals under the affirmative programme of restocking failed to look after the animals to the extent that some died from disease and malnutrition.
She blamed some of the families for wanting the government to treat and feed the animals, even though the government donated the animals to the families to improve their livelihoods.
However, Akello cautioned the leaders against selling off the animals, adding that it would be very embarrassing to the government if the leaders sold off the animals donated to them.
The Prime Minister Lango Cultural Foundation who picked the animals on behalf of the Paramount Chief, Yosam Odur lauded the government for the offer.
Odur said by giving them the heifers, the government has realised the contribution of the leaders in shaping the Lango community and other people in Northern Uganda.
The Resident City Commissioner, Lawrence Egole said it was one of the presidential initiatives to empower people economically and eradicate poverty in the community.
https://thecooperator.news/katakwi-model-farmers-receive-in-calf-heifers/
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