By Brian Atuhura
Residents of Kiruli and Labongo Sub-Counties in Masindi district were on Monday this week over joyed as they received Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) cheques worth Shs 192.4 million from the Resident District Commissioner (RDC)with the need to support the livelihood of these communities affected by wildlife destruction.
Labongo Sub-County,recently received UWA revenue share of shs 110.8 m for thier communities who live near the park.According to thier Acting Sub-County Chief, Beatrice Katusiime,the 23 groups that the went through the vetting procedure,will receive shs 107.9 million.She categorized the beneficiary groups as follows;07 groups are engaged in Tents and Chairs while 13 groups are dealing in goat rearing,02 groups are for bee keeping while 01 group is in maize shelling.
As for Kiruli Sub-County,the Acting Sub-County Chief David Assimwe,told beneficiaries that shs 81.5 m that they got from UWA,will be given to 16 groups that the Sub-County identified using technocrats.He said,the groups are distributed as below;03 groups dealing in goat rearing,04 groups dealing in Tents and Chairs while 02 groups are engaged in Maize shelling.
Addressing beneficiaries at Kiruli Sub-County headquarters,the RDC Masindi, Emmy Ngabirano cautioned the procurement committee members of these groups against over costing the goats because the District leadership will monitor and supervise the projects to ensure that there is value for government funds.
Speaking at the same function,the District Chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga advised the beneficiaries to use the money as seed capital and invest in projects that will enable them break the poverty line.
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO), Robert Abia Owilli who represented the CAO,told the groups that the government has entrusted them with the accountability for these projects and therefore they shouldn't misuse the funds as they won't be left free .