The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, on Thursday, 27th March, officiated the construction works of the Atari irrigation scheme in Bulambuli and Kween Districts.
The project amounted to USD 21 million, funded by the government of Japan, and it hopes to cover up to 680 hectares of land after its completion.
In his remarks, the Minister lauded the government of Japan, together with the Permanent Secretary and MAAIF Engineers led by Boniface Okanya, for ensuring that the construction of the project kicked off.
He noted that, like most countries on the continent, Uganda has been experiencing climate change manifesting through erratic weather patterns.
“Our usual seasons and known planting seasons have changed which has led to variations in production and productivity. That’s why the President has resolved to irrigation systems like this one to enable farmers to grow during the dry season,” the minister said.
The commencement of the project was delayed for over 2 years due to compensation challenges involving speculators purchasing land and claiming a lot of money beyond the compensation values of the land.
The Minister, however, vowed to petition the parliament of Uganda to pass a law to criminalize individuals who sabotage Government projects that are intended to benefit communities.
Irene Muloni, the former Minister of Energy and Mineral Development on behalf of the two beneficiary districts, Bulambuli and Kween thanked the government for helping the farming community of Atari and the neighbouring areas that are set to benefit from the scheme.
“This project is going to help increase production. I want to request the Ministry of Agriculture to give us more tractors because we are ready to produce,” she stated.
Muloni also assured the public that the fight between Balambuli and the Sabiny community is over, saying, “We must live in harmony; now that the government has given us this project, it is going to unite us because we are sharing it Bulambuli and Kween”.
Engineer Boniface Okanya, the commissioner for Agricultural Infrastructure, Mechanisation and Water for Agricultural Production, explained that Atari is a sister scheme to Acomai and Ngenge, which are also under construction in Teso and are expected to permanently solve the scarcity of water for Agricultural Production in these areas.
“The purpose of these schemes is to increase production and productivity of marketable as well as controlling floods. We are also environmentally conscious in designing these projects,” Okanya said.
The contractor is Zenitaka Construction Company a Japanese firm with extensive experience in the construction of such projects
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