WestNile Farmers Cooperative Union Chairperson Mr Adia Christopher and Hon Oguzu Petition Deputy Speaker Over Delayed Compensation of Tobacco Farmers.

📸: Hon Oguzu with a red cap, Deputy Speaker in the middle and Mr Adia Charles take a photo after the meeting.

The Deputy Speaker who chaired the session of the House has on Wednesday 4th October 2023 given Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives 30 days to address the issue of non payment of West Nile Tobacco Farmers who are demanding government worth 9,708,095, 300 Shs.

The directive follows a petition presented to the Deputy Speaker, by WestNile Farmers Cooperative Union Chairperson Mr Adia Christopher being accompanied by Maracha County  Member of Parliament Hon Oguzu Lee Denis who has been at the forefront in ensuring the farmers get paid.

The claim arose from failure by Continental Tobacco, a company licensed by Government to fully pay the farmers tobacco worth 2,084,500kgs bought in the FY 2018.

Rt Hon. Tayebwa was concerned that after payment of Bunyoro farmers, it has taken government this long to clear West Nile's farmers despite commitments from various ministry.

It should be noted that in a letter dated 22 /08/2022 Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Ramathan Ngoobi asked Ministry of Trade to plan the claim in budget for FY 2023/2024.

However, according to Minister Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Ministry of finance did not provide for the money.

The pingpong game between the two Ministries is what the Deputy Speaker has asked Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperative to reconcile with Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development so that the farmers get paid. Payment of the farmers will settle a long struggle of the farmers which among others included petitioning HE the President and Office of the Speaker for help.

Hon. Oguzu who led the Chair of the Union to meet the Deputy Speaker hopes the Ministries will listen to the plight of the farmers and effect this payment in the Supplementary Expenditure in accordance with  their commitments.