MASAKA– State minister for Luweero Triangle, Alice Kaboyo has warned people in Greater Masaka area against the destruction of natural forests and wetlands, saying it has deprived Masaka of its glory as a hub for bananas [matooke] and coffee production in Buganda region.
Minister Kaboyo said it is unfortunate that many parts of Buganda, especially Masaka region are facing harsh climatic conditions that have affected farms for crops, leaving households with little or no food.
”Masaka region was in the past known for growing bananas and coffee but currently, people are crying of hunger caused by the rampant destruction of natural resources,” she said.
The Minister was speaking at Gayaza village in Kyesiiga Subcounty where she handed over 500 iron sheets and 300 hoes to families whose houses and plantations were destroyed by a hailstorm recently.
The affected families are expected to use the donated iron sheets and hoes to reconstruct their houses and grow crops, respectively.
Masaka forest officer, Willy Bbaale said many people have cut trees for timber, charcoal, construction of houses, and growing cash crops against food crops.
He said 60 percent of natural forests in the district have been cut down by private investors to construct houses while cultivators have cut forests to grow pineapples for sale.
Masaka district agricultural officer, Dennis Ssebinojjo said Kyesiiga and Kyanamukaka sub-counties have been affected by the double calamity of pro-longed drought and hailstorm. Over 200 residents had their houses and crops destroyed by a hailstorm recently.
He said yields of food crops like maize, cassava, and banana have greatly reduced from 85 percent to 30 percent due to the prolonged drought spell that has caused famine.
Matia Sewajje a resident at Gayaza village said they have suffered a two-year drought spell with their gardens of banana, cassava and maize destroyed and valley dams dried up.
He said the drought spell has lasted over two years, leading to a shortage of food in most of the households in the area.
He said they have appealed to the government to intervene and help them with relief aid and seeds.
https://thecooperator.news/high-demand-for-timber-escalates-deforestation-in-masaka-district/
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