LESSONS FROM THE LOCAL INITIATIVES BRINGS A SMILE TO FARMERS IN KASESE DISTRICT

Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC) supported Kasese District Poverty Reduction Program with 4 million Euros from 2009-2013 according to Mr. William Kanyesigye Chief Administrative Officer, Kasese District. Specifically RWECO was concerned about the Ugx. 120,000,000/ that was injected in improving the Muhokya Irrigation Scheme that was aimed ensuring food security and improving household income. The Scheme benefits 350 farmers by ensuring that they are served with constant water from river Muhokya

Muhokya mini Irrigation Scheme dam

The Kasese district poverty reduction improved on the local initiatives that were being used by the farmers in Muhokya river valley to irrigate their crops. Mr. Andrew Mafeela, the LCI chairperson who led the RWECO team to the scheme noted that before the funding from the district, the local citizens would block the river which is about 15ft deep with logs, dry banana leaves, soil and re-chanal the water into their gardens where they had dug two big chanales leading to the plots of land. The farmers ensured that men and women participated in the exercise code named- "MWEKAMBE"

Mr. Andrew ( middle above) explaining to the RWECO team how the irrigation scheme was initiated and how the local communities have benefited.

Children provide labour during holidays

As we traversed through the scheme, we observed that children were helping their parents, on asking whether if  that did not interupt their school time, the Chairperson LCI, Rutooke village, reported that as residents of the scheme, they had developed bye-laws where child labour was condemned and whoever found using child labour was handled according to the laws of Uganda, that instead the scheme was a source of income to keep children in school

A woman identified as Abwooli weeding her tomato garden and clearing the rigs after feeding with water.

Women were appreciative of the scheme and the support from BTC. When asked how much was spent on the scheme, the women were not aware but reported that, alot of money was used and as  residents their need was answered of water to ensure food security and house income.

Family members all participate in gardens

A basket of tomatoes  costed Ugx. 20,000/ as on Thursday 19th, December, 2013 where farmers reported that from one ha they get about 100 bags thus reaping Ugx.  2,000,000/ in a season.

Mr. Andrew one of the beneficiaries of NAADs was given Ugx. 1.8M

 To boost the productivity of farmers in fish farming in Muhokya irrigation scheme, Mr. Andrew was supported with Ugx. 1,800,000/ in 2012/13 NAADS funds. Mr. Andrew prepared the fish pond and stocked the pond with fish from Bugoye sub county with technical support from the Kasese district fisheries department.

A point where water is controlled to reach every farmers

A banana plantation at Muhokya Irrigation Scheme

Water melon is one of the ongoing projects at the scheme

RWECE further noted that Muhokya Irrigation scheme had indeed impacted on the livelihoods of the people of Muhokya sub county and Kasese district as a whole, but the bigger question is why is Kasese district food insecure despite having two irrigation schemes and more chances of more schemes. Further, BTC alone invested Ugx. 9bn ( Kasese District Poverty Reduction Program, 2009-2013) despite all the investment, the district is still food insecure depending on food from Kabarole and Rubirizi districts and the Uganda-DR Congo Border market of Mpondwe-Lhubiriha

As we end the year 2013, we need to evaluate ourselves if we have done anything that contributes to poverty reduction and good governance. RWECO as a policy based CSO in the Rwenzori Region and a mentor to many more CSOs in Uganda, we thank the leadership of Muhokya sub county and the citizens for the good spirit of ensuring that the scheme becomes a reality and for utilizing the funds well. We can use the Muhokya experience to replicate in other parts of the country

Merry Christmas and Happy new 2014

Sheila K
Gilbert M
Andrew M-LCI-Rutooke Village
Jimmy B O