The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has directed district officials to monitor the use of government-issued agricultural mechanization equipment and ensure that it serves its intended purpose of boosting food production and productivity.
The government through the Ministry of Agriculture has been distributing tractors and other agricultural tools to farmers, farmer groups, and institutions to support large-scale production.
However, concerns have arisen regarding the misuse or underuse of these resources.
“It has come to our attention that there are cases of misuse and underuse of agricultural mechanization facilities,” Tumwebaze noted in the letter.
“Some beneficiaries have turned them into private businesses for hire, while others have monopolized their use, leaving them idle instead of supporting those in need.”
To address this issue, Tumwebaze clarified that these tractors are distributed based on demand and are strictly for agricultural purposes. The equipment remains government property and misuse could lead to its withdrawal and redistribution.
“We provide tractors where there is effective demand and not for hire,” Tumwebaze emphasized.
He added, “Before an individual, group or institution is recommended, there is a need to establish that the entity deserves. When equipment is underutilized or misused, the Ministry retains the right to withdraw and reallocate it to deserving farmers.”
The ministry also announced plans to deploy auditors to evaluate the performance of the distributed equipment, including tractors, milk coolers, and maize mills. This assessment will help refine future beneficiary selection and ensure accountability.
“I write, therefore, to ask you to monitor and look out for how tractors or other agricultural value chain equipment/technologies are being used by the beneficiaries,” the minister instructed.
He added, “Where a group is unable to utilize the equipment or is using it for purposes other than agricultural, please inform us to allow for repossession and reallocation.”
Tumwebaze also appealed to district leaders to cooperate with the audit teams and facilitate their efforts.
