By; Our reporter

19th Feb. 2020

Kitgum District Local Government has approved a budget of Shillings 780 million to fight desert locusts that have invaded the district.

The District LC V Chairperson, Jackson Omona disclosed this during a meeting with the District Locust Task Team and what he calls a modest budget has since been submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to aid the district response towards combating the dreaded insects.

Swarms of desert locusts invaded Kitgum district a week ago in the villages of Bilayolo and Ulaya in Katwotwo Parish in Orom sub county.

They have since been migrating and sighted in Namokora, Omiya Anyima, Kitgum Matidi, Mucwini, labongo akwang and Lagoro Sub counties.

Omona says although the approved budget has already been submitted pending government’s final approval, a total of 40 extension workers will undergo training to respond to the emergency situation.

William Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, who is heading the District Locust Task Force, says the budget will help in the purchase of motorised sprayers to facilitate the team heading the locust fight.

He says they need between 40 to 50 motorized spray pumps to help them combat the locusts as Uganda People’s Defense Forces [UPDF] soldiers reinforce them.

While government struggles to find an effective way of dealing with the locust residents of Kitgum district in the areas of Gogo and Abudere villages in Lukwar Parish in Labongo Akwang Sub County have been seen with basins of roasted locusts excited to find something for food.

 

However experts have warned them not to eat locusts that have been sprayed because drugs might turn dangerous.


Thursday 20th February 2020 06:48:56 AM