The three implicated groups include Pamolo Olet Ox traction project, Obem East A Cassava and Sunflower Production Group and Atura C Cassava and Sunflower Production Group in Labongo Layamo Sub County.
Three farmer groups in Kitgum district have been accused of selling off animals they received under phase three of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF).
The three implicated groups include Pamolo Olet Ox traction project, Obem East A Cassava and Sunflower Production Group and Atura C Cassava and Sunflower Production Group in Labongo Layamo Sub County.
An ongoing monitoring exercise by the district executive committee discovered that majority of the animals distributed to the benefitting groups were sold off by a section of the group members.
The Labongo Layamo Sub County NUSAF facilitator, Peterson Ochan reported to the district executives that members of Atura C Cassava and Sunflower Production Group shared 230,000 Shillings each from proceeds they got after selling off six the oxen they got from the project.
Ochan adds that members of Obem East group sold their animals to the Pager Division Chairperson Morris Santo Oyoo while members of Pamolo Olet are alleged to have sold off their animals to the group’s Chairperson Janet Apiyo. Luo audio //Cue in; “they are the…. Cue Out…dyangi ne weng tye.”//
But all the group leaders have refuted the accusations. Ben Ochola, the Chairperson of Atura C group says that some of their animals died and the matter was reported to the sub County authorities
Janet Apiyo the Chairperson of Pamolo Olet equally refuted the claims of having bought the animals saying some of the animals died while others were straying unattended to during the current dry season.
However; the Pager Division Chairperson Morris Oyoo Santo admitted to having bought some animals which he subsequently sold away adding that he doesn’t recall buying any animals from a NUSAF benefitting project.
Luo audio //Cue in; “ohh an abin……
Cue Out…acato gi dong.”//
The district secretary for production Joyce Alwoch decried the alleged sale of the animals saying such tendencies compromises the intended objectives of the project that strives to alleviate poverty and increase household income at community level.
Alwoch warned the beneficiaries who are purported to have sold off the animals to recover them before radical measures are taken against them.
It’s reported that the farmer’s groups in question are part of other groups that received 17.5 million Shillings each under the NUSAF III component of livelihood investment support to poor and vulnerable households so as increase their productive assets and household income.
Funds apportioned for the groups in the 2017/18 financial year were utilized by each benefitting groups for buying oxen, ox ploughs, cassava cuttings and sunflower seeds.
Story by Dan Michael Komakech