Ugandan Govt Warns Politicians Against ‘Embezzling’ 18m Hoes Bought For Farmers

Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi

Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi of Uganda has warned politicians against politicising the distribution of the 18 million hoes pledged to farmers by President Yoweri Museveni in 2016.

The government has embarked on the distribution of 18m hoes across the country as part of the fulfilment of President Yoweri Museveni’s 2016 election manifesto to support agricultural production, reports local newspaper, Chimpreports.

Ssekandi was speaking during the government agricultural farm implements roll-out programme for the country in Bukoto Central constituency, Masaka district.

The Vice President pointed out that the distribution of the items based on party patronage may further divide the people.

He said, “Government works for the well-being of all Ugandans irrespective of political affiliation.”

It should be noted that the promise to give hoes to Ugandan farmers received a lot of backlash with citizens wondering what effect it would have in the age of technology-driven agriculture.

See reactions:

    [email protected] thank you for fulfilling the campaign pledge to distribute 18m hoes to farmers!! Those of us in the farm trenches understand the criticality of this tool. Anyone who thinks otherwise, I am ready for debate (even insults)

    — Robert Kabushenga (@rkabushenga) October 30, 2019

    These are not first generation of smallholder farmers so why has there been no change? Why are they still in survival mode? Simple. Use of low inputs (e.g. hoes), low production, low income and thus low investment. This model will keep farmers as recipients.

    — JB (@jboscowale) October 30, 2019

    My two cents – Looking back to the past, farmers never needed free seed or hoes. These were a given. Pain points were communal, hard to secure services (markets, quality standards, information/data) through cooperatives or centralised GoU services. Doubt this was consultative

    — Jimmy Kiberu (@KiberuJimmy) October 30, 2019

    Was a needs assessment undertaken and a callout for hoes? What happened to the journey towards mechanization? Is it rhe most impending factor for household food security/ agriculture? Is the agenda on table under the docket of MAAIF?
    Heniwe…..let the ” farmers” be.

    — Sir George (@gwandes) October 30, 2019