High Commissioner designate Paul Amoru has presented his Letter of Credence to Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of South Africa.

In his remarks, Mr. Paul Amoru the High Commissioner, expressed gratitude to his host for the immediate opportunity granted to him to present his Letter of Credence to which would fully operationalise his duties in Pretoria, South Africa.

He underscored to his host the existing excellent and cordial bilateral relations between Uganda and South Africa which are anchored on a blood bond that dates far back before South Africa got her Independence.

Amoru highlighted to his host that Uganda provided a sanctuary for the South African freedom fighters of uMukonto Wesizwe the military arm of ANC after the UN Security Council Resolution 435 that led to withdrawal of ANC from Angola to the Camp in Kaweweta- Luwero, which later in 1998 became the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan – African Centre of Excellence and a home and training ground for the ANC freedom fighters. This shared history of struggle for the freedom and progress of our people remains the umbilical cord that connects our two great countries.

The High Commissioner emphasized that this gesture remains a key building block for the foundation of friendship between the two countries and added that his government and the people Uganda take pride in the support shared by the two countries for the uMukhonto Wesizwe team during the struggle for freedom and democracy for the Republic of South Africa.

Mr. Paul Amoru, Uganda’s High Commissioner expressed to his host the need for the two countries to augment the outcomes of the recently concluded Joint Commission of Cooperation(JCC) meeting hosted by Uganda in Kampala between 7-11th August, 2022.

He observed that economic cooperation is another significant part of the relationship between the two countries. He highlighted that during the last 25 years the exports of South Africa to Uganda have increased at an annualized rate of 6.82%, from $36M in 1995 to $187M in 2020, while exports of Uganda to South Africa in the same period increased at an annualized rate of 12.8%, from $1.01M in 1995 to $20.7M in 2020.

 “The main products that South Africa exported to Uganda are Gold ($58.4M), Delivery Trucks (ZAR20.8M), Hot-Rolled Iron ($9.76M) Uncoated Paper (ZAR10.9M), Pesticides (ZAR8.58M), Laboratory Reagents (ZAR3.91M), and Processed Cereals (ZAR3.69M) while the main products that Uganda exported to South Africa were Packaged Medicaments ($13.1M), Coffee ($2.88M), Raw Tobacco ($1.28M), other live plants, cuttings and slips; mushroom.” he said

The two exchanged views on topical matters on the continent such as Pan-Africanism, impact of Covid-19, socio-economic and security issues, politics, climate change and its impact, collaborative exchanges in various fields, among others.

On behalf of Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of Uganda the High Commissioner commended his host for the role he played in ensuring the equitable distribution of the Covid -19 Vaccine on the African Continent as the Champion of the African Union Covid-19 Response Fund.

The High Commissioner pledged his commitment to work with his host to deepen and expand the scope of cooperation in advancing the common goals of serving the people of both countries to the best of his abilities.

He committed to focus on the agenda of the Abuja Treaty of 1991 which is anchored on accelerating intra-African trade and enhancing coordination with regional and international organizations.

“President Museveni and the government of the Republic of Uganda believe that the future of Africa in this new global environment lies in deeper economic integration, continent  wide that will strengthen Africa’s common voice and policy space in the global trade negotiations.” he said

Ramaphosa welcomed Ambassador Amoru Paul, pledged to offer him support during his tenure. His host wished President Museveni good health and the people of Uganda and South Africa lasting friendship and cooperation.

“I wish you the very best in your new assignment as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of South Africa,” he said.

The Uganda High Commission in South Africa is responsible for five other countries in Southern Africa which include; Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

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Sugarcane out growers in Bunyoro sub-region have decried continuous torture and mistreatment orchestrated by the police and other security agencies. The out growers accused Hoima Sugar Limited and Kinyara Sugar of using security officials who man roadblocks to stop trucks, arrest and threaten and block them from selling their canes to other dealers in the region.

The latest incident happened in Kikuube where three Hoima Sugar Limited officials were dragged to Police on allegations of assaulting a businessman, Fred Bakyali. Bakyali, sugarcane supplier for Kyejonjo Sugar Factory lodged an assault case against the three individuals at Kikuube Central Police Station Vide: SD REF 38/21/07/22.

He accused Dhamodharah Murugan and one suspect only identified Veketi (both are managers in charge of out growers) and another suspect only identified as Matovu, the company’s sugar field supervisor. Bakyali, who was days discharged from Kikuube health center IV, Kikuube District, joins a list of other complainants who preferred anonymity.

“The trouble started after they found the victim Bakyali loading trucks with sugarcane from the farm of Amos Byarugaba in Mukabara in Kizirafumbi Sub-county, whom Hoima Sugar Ltd officials claimed was their registered farmer,’’ said a source.

The Albertine region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiiza confirmed the incident, adding that police had launched an investigation into the matter. It is averred that Hoima sugar employees attempted to impound the Lorries but Bakyali and his colleagues resisted since they had been contracted to load the canes.

Bakyali noted that they were overpowered as his colleagues ran away for safety adding that the suspects and others beat him to pulp.

“They accused me of harvesting sugarcane from their alleged registered out grower yet the farmers who sold him sugarcane are independent and can supply to any buyer,” he said.

However, Veketi denied the allegation of assaulting the Bakyali, saying that claims are aimed at tarnishing their names. He noted that they only tried to block Bakyali and his group from loading sugarcane from their registered farmer.

He accused the Bakyali of conniving with Kyejonjo Sugar Factory to illegally buy sugarcane from their registered suppliers.

However, some of the Hoima sugar out growers said that several farmers are running away from the sugar manufacturing company due to persistent mistreatment.

 “We are asking the Parliament and President Museveni to intervene because we are sited on a time bomb. This is a very critical moment when we can’t afford to recover even the money we invested in growing canes. They should allow us have freedom to supply canes where we want since we incur in a lot and if we find good prices elsewhere why should Kinyara or Hoima Sugar block us?’’ one of the farmers said.

Mesach Asab, one of the farmers said that delayed payment for their sugarcane, low prices, delaying to harvest sugarcane, and refusal to buy burnt sugarcanes as some of the factors forcing farmers to sell sugarcanes to Kyenjojo sugar factory and other companies.

Sugarcane farmers in Masindi district under their umbrella Masindi Sugar Cane Out growers Association Ltd -MASGAL have been at war with Kinyara Sugar Limited protesting the price for sugarcane offered by the factory.

The Association is the biggest supplier of sugarcane to Kinyara Sugar Works Limited situated in Masindi district. On July 1, 2021, the Kinyara announced the new price for cane at Shs 88,400 for the 2021/2022 financial year. The new price indicated a reduction from the previous financial year’s price of Shs 91, 586 per ton which left many farmers in huge losses and alleged mistreatment by factory authorities.

Cosmos Byaruhanga, chairperson for Masindi Sugar Cane Out-growers Association Limited and also the Masindi district chairperson said many decisions like new prices are announced without consulting and considering farmers.

Byaruhanga noted that they’re in total disagreement with Kinyara’s actions, saying sugarcane farmers do not benefit from anything. “There is no convincing reason which is given to farmers as to why the price reduces”, he said.

John Abigaba, an out grower says the mistreatment including unfavorable price by Kinyara sugar limited is not effective and they will not accept to supply their cane to the company, adding that they cannot accept a cut in the price of sugarcane when the cost of producing sugarcane has shot up.

Alice Alinaitwe, another out grower said Kinyara sugar limited management can’t determine the cane price without the consent of the out growers and wondered why the company uses local authorities including security to harass out growers who have decided to look for better prices outside Bunyoro Sugar Mills.

Over the years, the Hoima Sugar and Kinyara Sugar Ltd companies have been feuding with the out growers over cane prices and blocking them from supplying canes to other factories. The out growers have always accused the two sugar companies of exploitation and hiring security to harass, threaten and torture them over inexcusable agreements.

In March 2018, Kinyara Sugar Works Company Limited cut the price of a ton of sugarcane from Shs141, 000 to Shs 82,000.

This led to protests among the out growers forcing them to suspend sugarcane supply to Kinyara, but still many decried harassment by a section of police officers on various road blocks.

Kinyara Sugar Ltd then indicated that the new cane price for the 2020/2021 financial year would be Shs 91, 586 per ton of sugarcane sold by the out growers, down from the previous price of Shs108, 200 shillings per ton which angered the out growers.

This has prompted many to supply canes to other factories in the country amidst alleged threats and torture by the former.

Ms. Caroline Amongin, the spokesperson of Kinyara, dismissed the entire allegation claiming that out growers who have contracts with them have an obligation to meet.

“We they try to sell sugar cane to other dealers, of course when we find them, we get our cane.  We don’t beat or mistreat them; our supervisors and security personnel stop them, and bring the cane to the factory. That is the simplest way instead of going to the police and other courts of law,” she said.

“The company advances money to most of the out growers to prepare their farms/ fields promising to sell their cane to none other than us. When they sell this cane they suffer losses,” she said.

The manager of Hoima Sugar said he is in India and is not informed about what is on ground.

“I am in India now and. I have not been updated about what is at the factory. So hold on till next month,” the manger who didn’t reveal his identity said.

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Government has developed a robust disaster risk management plan that will mitigate impending disasters across the country, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr. Hillary Onek, has said.

Onek said that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is set to establish five regional centres to manage disasters. This according to the minister will cost government about US$234 million.  

“As government, we have developed a disaster risk management plan which was recently approved by Cabinet. We intend to confront the impending disasters by positioning ourselves regionally so that response does not only come from Kampala,” Onek said.

According to Onek, government has already committed US$50 million to establish these systems of responses to disasters in the country.  

He said this on Thursday, 11 August 2022 while appearing before the Committee on Presidential Affairs to provide response on government’s interventions on the distressing famine and hunger situation in Karamoja sub region.

“We plan to have about five regional centres to manage disasters across the country. We shall have regional centres in the East, North, South, West, and Central and will enable us to respond very quickly to any disasters that occur,” Onek said adding that, “those regional centres will enable us to prepare our population in terms of advocacy and to prepare them to respond to those risks”.

In order to quickly respond to disasters, Onek is rooting for an independent Ministry for Relief and Disaster with a stand-alone vote and budget.

The Directorate of Disaster Preparedness and Management is managed under OPM.

“Our department doesn’t have a Permanent Secretary who is specifically for disaster preparedness. I am not independent and we cannot plan adequately without interference from the conglomerate of ministers [in OPM]…We don’t have a budget; what is put in our name is contingency fund which is three percent of the national budget, but we don’t even see that money,” he said.

According to the Acting Commissioner for Disaster Preparedness and Management, Catherine Ahimbisibwe, government has since March 2022 distributed 2,562,000kgs of maize flour and 1,281,000kgs of beans as relief food to affected districts in Karamoja sub region.

She however, decried inadequate funding towards disaster preparedness and management and lack of a new fleet of motor vehicles to ease relief food distribution due to the rising number of disaster victims.

Moroto Municipality MP, Francis Adome (Moroto Municipality) called for sustainable intervention in Karamoja that involves empowering the people to engage in agriculture.

“It is disturbing that the ministry does not have money; it should be empowered. Karamoja is rich in terms of fertile soils; all that the people need is to empower them into agriculture,” Adome said.

Adjumani East MP, James Mamawi, also urged government to invest in production as a long term plan to mitigate famine and hunger in Karamoja and reduce the dependence syndrome on relief food.  

The Chairperson of the Committee on Presidential Affairs, Jesca Ababiku, called for a mindset change in Karamoja where political and cultural leaders engage local communities and shape their mindset into productivity and self-reliance.

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