MBALE– Rice farmers in Mbale City are not happy with government for imposing a ban on growing rice in the wetlands, saying they should have been consulted first.
The farmers are concerned that government took a decision to ban rice activities in the wetlands without providing them with alternative sources where they can earn a livelihood.
Muhamad Musalala LCI chairman of Khamoto village in Khamoto parish said people there entirely depend on rice as their source of income and food.
“Rice growing is the only source of livelihood for people. We are paying school fees for our children because of these wetlands,” Musalala said.
The rice farmers made the remarks during a meeting convened by the leaders in Khamoto village.
James Musamali, a rice farmer, said, such a policy the gov’t by the government banning rice growing in wetlands is uncalled for.
“The government should have done more consultations with the farmers to understand the policy before stopping us,” Musamali said.
He wondered why government have stopped rice farmers from utilising wetlands yet there are those setting up factories and houses in the same wetlands.
Bashiri Walimbwa, another resident of Khamoto village, said almost 95 percent of the people depend on wetlands for farming, hence their survival.
“We grow rice and maize in these wetlands. Gov’t wants us to die of poverty and hunger,” adding that government should teach us modern farming in the wetlands instead of evicting us,” Walimbwa said.
Government banned the growing of rice and other crops in wetlands across the country to restore the depleted environment that has been affected by these activities.
The Mbale Industrial City Division mayor, Muhamood Masaba, said evicting people from wetlands is dangerous at this time when the economy is doing badly.
Masaba who is also the NRM chairman Mbale district, said the only means of livelihood in Khamoto village is farming in wetlands.
He promised to petition President Museveni to halt the growing of rice in the wetlands.
“We request our President Museveni to see how best government can help these farmers.
“Am going to stand with you in all ways and I want all farmers to get organised and form a committee,” he said.
Masaba said the the only serious activity taking place in the area is rice growing, adding that imposing the ban on this activity will increase poverty levels in the communities.
The Mbale district environment officer, Charles Wakube said, government has no interest in grabbing people’s land.
“We want to conserve the environment. The residents should form an association and come up with a governing committee,” Wakube said.
https://thecooperator.news/experts-warn-investors-against-constructing-in-forests-wetlands/
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