Irish Potato Distribution: Kirundo Sub County says O.W.C Process is flawed Story by Joshua Niyonshima

The Kirundo Sub county leadership have accused Kisoro district Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and production Officers  for being unfair during the recently concluded distribution of Irish Potato seedlings.

The exercise that covered the entire district on July 5^th 2021 has left some sub counties disgruntled after they claim the process was filled with intrigue and corruption.

The Kirundo Sub County LCV Councilor Beshubeho Aloiz told VOM that Kirundo is a separate administrative unit and being given 4 bags of seedlings is a disgrace yet it has a population is close to that of Rubuguri Town Council which received 15 bags.

“We cannot continuously be undermined, where as other sub counties are receiving between 15-20 bags, Kirundo is being given 4 bags. That is unfair, we are not taking the Irish Potatoes.” Beshubeho says.

Beshubeho argues that, the criteria being used in the distribution of Irish Potato seedlings is improper. He threatened to send a detailed email to the National Operation Wealth Creation Office in Kampala describing how Operation Wealth Creation Officers in Kisoro district are corrupt and need to be reprimanded.

“You have continued to work under political influence in undermining Kirundo Sub county in particular the former Rutaka Parish in favor of Rubuguri. If this continues, I will email the national Office on this matter.” Aloiz argues.

The LCIII Chairperson Kirundo Sub County Mr. Mvuyekure Geofrey says that they are being sidelined over the newly created town councils of Rubuguri, Nkuringo and Nyanamo.

He says that a proper strategy should be adopted by the Kisoro district Operation Wealth Creation Office to best suit People’s need.

“Why can’t you adopt Solomon Basaza’s strategy of considering the area that grows a certain crop most and give reasonable seedlings, then the rest of the sub counties can receive equitable shares,” Mvuyekure states.

“My oath of Office is not of a Parish leader but rather an LCIII Chairperson, then why is my sub county being undermined.” Geofrey adds.

The Acting Kisoro district production Officer Dr. Ngabo Herbert Bubasha said that they are acting in response to the Parish model system of operation. He says that each parish in Kisoro district is receiving 4 bags of seedlings.

Ngabo says that as far as his office is concerned, Kirundo Sub County has only one Parish and must receive four bags of Irish Potato Seed irrespective of the Population.

“Those complaints will be raised later, if they want more administrative units, which will be through their leaders but not now. For today, they have to go with what is available.” Ngabo orders.

The Operation Wealth Creation coordinator Bufumbira South Constituency and Kisoro Municipality Captain Clever Bagabe denied the allegations. He said they were simply following government guidelines adding that 253 bags are being distributed to the 15 tradition sub counties of Kisoro.

“We cannot forge non-existent parishes so as to favor Kirundo Sub County. Operation Wealth Creation Office is following an order of distributing to Parishes not Sub counties.” Bagabe noted

CUE IN…………. BAGABE ON CRITERIA

Bagabe continues to explain that the traditional 13 Sub counties of Bufumbira are being considered in the distributing seedlings.

This contradicts Dr. Ngabo’s statements that even the newly created town councils are part of the scheme.

However, the distributed Irish Potato seeds will be ready for planting in August, 2021.

According to Captain Bagabe by the time of supplying, the seeds were one eyed yet they have to be two eyed at the time of planting.

Meanwhile one sub county and two town councils missed out in the distribution exercise. Voice of Muhabura will continue to follow this story as it develops.