reading inspire children in choosing their career

RIC-NET joined the rest of the members of Uganda community Libraries Association in celebrating the Book Week from the 15^th to 20^th October. The event took place at Busongora Rural community library located in Kasese District. This library serves both the farmers in the community as well as the students and other community members.

The main objectives was to create understanding on the value of reading to the pupils and students in Kasese, to create a linkage between the tradition teaching method with the modern, To derive a picture of the type of library required by the users- community, pupils and students. The participating schools included; Kasese Secondary, Kasese High, Kasese Moslem, Light of Hope Secondary[between S1-S3], Kasese Primary, Base camp Primary, Mother care and Rock primary[pupils between P.3-P6] other were RICNET, RWECO and BRIC staffs, DIO, DEO, Secretary for education and sports Kasese district local government represented by Mr.Tsembere Venesio the area district councilor.

The activities included; Story telling by the elders to students and pupils. Art and drawing competition, Debate, Book reading and Quiz competitions among the participating schools involving the secondary and the primary learners.

During the silent reading and later sharing of the books, the pupils the participant realized that reading is important because; there is an increase in knowledge and awareness, pupils learn good behaviors, increase their ability to speak and write, has increased their ability to speak in public and their views heard, increase their literacy rate, get meaningful advice from certain books, able to understand program from the government and their rights as children of Uganda.

They also realized community issues that need actions from the community and their leaders are easily shared and understand especially; better farming methods, community literacy programs, family planning methods should be implemented to reduce on population explosion. Laws, ordninaces and by-laws should be put in place to regulate on drug abuse, children rights should be respected. One pupils from Mother Care Preparatory School Degaulle in P.4 amused the house when he mentioned that “the government is to blame for reduce the cost of Alcohol especially those that cost as less 500; Buveera”. He was supported by another Komukebya Sharon from Base camp Primary who said that these drugs are easily accessible everywhere in the villages. These views were later accepted and the District councilor accepted to table them in the council

The event also draw participants to an understand between formal and informal education. In informal education, the teachers were mainly uncles, Anti and grandparents where knowledge was passed in form of proverbs, stories, sayings, songs that were meant to increase behavior change,sence of belonging to the community, hard work and good character among the young ones as well as increasing the sense of belonging to the community. The fire place was the class room. In the formal education, teacher and schools have replaced the role of elders to pass knowledge. The story telling that formed part of this event draw the pupils the life back with the grandparents. Mr. Kyaminyawande Augustine an elder from the community helped the pupils to understand that informal education had value and those values should be taken even today.

peace building practices to be rolled in primary schools

As members of the Civil gathered to discuss the implication of the civil war in the northern [LRA war] and Rwenzori region [ADF war] of Uganda toward education. They resolved to the introduction of peace building lesson among the primary pupils in the affected regions.

This was realized during the five [5] days training on Conflict transformation and peace building for peace education in Northern Uganda at farm view hotel, Lira from September 9^th- 15^th                . The training was attended by members from civil society organization working in the sector of education with support from ELEC Uganda. Also those who attended were the District Education officers of Lira, Dokolo, and Albetong.

During the training the participants realized has left children traumatized, lacking morals, take actions in their hands, trained to kill and take every situation as part of the enemy. The war created hatred among the communities and families. This has created indiscipline in the schools. E.g. the Deo Lira claimed25yrs, over 1 million people leaving in camps, children have grown in camps. The war has made children behave like rebels in schools. Thus participants realized that peace would mean the following in schools and among the learners.

Therefore a peaceful environment in school and among the children can help in bring the old glory in primary schools in the northern and Rwenzori region. Better results can be realized and these children shall be able to compete favorably with other learners from other region which had remained peaceful for the past 26 years. It is a call to all stakeholders to create a reconciliation approach in the communities and schools. New innovative approach to teaching that will have a peace component in the lesson development should be adopted in the schools. There is need to have a peaceful school environment. Argued all the participants to promote the culture of peace in education and communities where we come from and develop a work plan to make a follow-up of what we shall discus.

Farmers in Kisinga sub county appreciate having plant clinic.

“Healthy plants for a healthy future” is now the motto in Kisinga Sub-County Kasese District. Kisinga is located in Bukonzo County East. Speaking to some of the farmer’s e on 11.11.11 during a field monitoring exercise of the Plant Clinic in Kisinga by the RIC-NET Community Out Reach Officer Kaliba Charles and Dr. Reeder Robert from Global Plant wise UK, the farmers expressed gratitude to RIC-NET and Asaba Wilberforce the Kisinga Plant Doctor for extending Plant Clinic services closer to them.

According to the Plant Doctor, Asaba Wilberforce, he noted that I attend to 25-35 farmers every market day and 10 farmers on a daily basis at the plant clinic in Kiburara trading center. The crops mostly affected and brought to the clinic for diagnosis are maize, mangoes, tomatoes, beans, cassava, cotton coffee, and bananas. The farmers revealed that there biggest challenge is Banana bacterial wilt which has reduced banana production and led to continued poverty and hunger in the Sub County

During the Plant  Clinic operation, the team also learnt from the numbers of clients received that  Cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) caused by Cassava Mosaic Gemini viruses (CMGs) was the other commonest disease affecting the crops in the area second to bananas. This too has contributed to low yields at harvest time.

Besides, cassava, are beans which too are affected by Bacteria (the Black bean Aphid [Aphisfabae). that leads to stunted growth, yellowing and sometimes causes black spotting of leaves leading to extensive damage of the crops.  Responding to the clients’ complaints, Dr, Reeder Robert, mentioned that currently there is no medicine to treat these cases brought to him especially the beans, bananas and cassava. He noted that Cassava mosaic cases can only be prevented by planting good and disease free stems. Dr. Reeder, advised the farmers on some best agricultural practices like planting disease free stems, suckers and seeds together with proper and timely preparation of the fields.

Other cases that were identified were on Mangoes which were observed to have black spots and splitting at a later stage.  According to Mr. Muhindo, the infection had reduced yields per plant. They revealed that, previously from one mango tree, they would harvest around three basins per season but currently they harvest only one basin per season. Commenting on this, Dr.Reeder Robert explained that just as we Humans beings need daily medication attention so do plants; “We should not wait for the whole field to be destroyed before we take action” he asserted.  

INFORMATION SHARING CAUSES ACTION TOWARDS SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

Information is any relevant news or data or facts gathered, processed and analyzed and shared with other stake holders who include among others; the farmers, health officer, political leader, teachers religious leader and members of Public. The role of information officers is to identify such silent issues in the society that can be amplified. The training took place on 28th November at RIC-Net head office in fort Portal.
The focus of the training was how the information we gather can speak out and influence change in the communities where we work. The main facilitator Ms Alice Mushenene Mbayahi mentioned that “what makes good information is the 5W’s”. Information should have content, evidenced based, having facts and based on the community are facing. Information should be shared and should emphasize on a single issue for action to be realize.
She emphasized on the methods of gathering information as observation, discussions, interview and dialogue. Information officer should easily identify the sources, monitor the project or issues in the community, share with other stakeholders, and identify the local government development project cycle.
In doing all this, it was realized that the entry point is important in information sourcing. Create a good social relationship with people, write a simple description of the issue, make follow-ups’ and if no action is done then engage the community in the issue before a dialogue with the authority can be organized.
By the end of the training, the information officers agreed that in order to cause change in the community, there is a great need to develop interest in serving the community, share timely information, improve the means of communication, improve our resource centers with timely information and engage our leaders to practically be accountable to the community they are serving.

INFORMATION SHARING CAUSES ACTION TOWARDS SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

Information is any relevant news or data or facts gathered, processed and analyzed and shared with other stake holders who include among others; the farmers, health officer, political leader, teachers religious leader and members of Public. The role of information officers is to identify such silent issues in the society that can be amplified. The training took place on 28th November at RIC-Net head office in fort Portal.
The focus of the training was how the information we gather can speak out and influence change in the communities where we work. The main facilitator Ms Alice Mushenene Mbayahi mentioned that “what makes good information is the 5W’s”. Information should have content, evidenced based, having facts and based on the community are facing. Information should be shared and should emphasize on a single issue for action to be realize.
She emphasized on the methods of gathering information as observation, discussions, interview and dialogue. Information officer should easily identify the sources, monitor the project or issues in the community, share with other stakeholders, and identify the local government development project cycle.
In doing all this, it was realized that the entry point is important in information sourcing. Create a good social relationship with people, write a simple description of the issue, make follow-ups’ and if no action is done then engage the community in the issue before a dialogue with the authority can be organized.
By the end of the training, the information officers agreed that in order to cause change in the community, there is a great need to develop interest in serving the community, share timely information, improve the means of communication, improve our resource centers with timely information and engage our leaders to practically be accountable to the community they are serving.

Plant clinics now an Asset to the farmers.

Plants clinic activities rocked high during the farmer’s market information symposium. This was realized during the market information symposium held from 24th-25th at Kisinga play ground Kisinga sub county Kasese district. This was the second symposium of its kind in Uganda, it’s meant to bring buyers and farmers together. The symposium was co-organized by RIC-NET and KRC with support and funding form FIT Uganda and Agric-Pro-focus Uganda. The theme of the symposium was “promoting farmers entrepreneurship through the provision of sustainable market information services to enhance competitive trade”. Agric-Pro-Focus work with individuals, groups, companies and organizations like HIVOS, SNV and Oxfam working in the agriculture sector. Plant Doctor were able to attend to 372 farmers for two days. The Doctors were Mr. Asaba Wilberforce, Ms. Biira Astaluzi, and Ms.Walina Juliet who operate daily in the markets of Ksinga, Mpondwe and Kinyabisiki respectively in Bukonzo County in Kasese district.

list of thieves in uganda

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the principal agency founded to combat corruption and promote good governance, has in various mandatory reports to Parliament indicated reported corruption cases continue to swell. This, the Ombudsman attributes to increased public awareness about graft and confidence in the institution as well as intense media coverage.
Over the two years, the Anti-Corruption Court made at least 61 convictions, sentencing many of the convicts to between one and 12 years imprisonment. The shorter duration of trial before the court has seen suspects obtain faster justice since most judgments at the court are delivered within two years.
The higher effectiveness of the court, compared to other divisions of the High Court, is captured in the newly-released 2010/2011 Annual Performance Report of the Justice, Law and Order sector. For instance, the disposal rate of cases by the Anti-Corruption Court was highest at 60.9 per cent followed by the Land Division (54.4 per cent) and Family Division (53.7 per cent).
The criminal, civil and commercial divisions of the High Court completed less than half of cases brought before them, accumulating between themselves a backlog of 124,401 cases, the report says.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has won twice higher the number of cases it lost before the Anti-Corruption Court since 2009, but its prosecution performance is poorer compared to that of the Ombudsman.
Our analysis of the court’s records over the past two years, as per October 2011, indicates that the DPP successfully prosecuted 36 of 41 lawsuits it lodged in the Anti-Corruption Court, losing 15.
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IGG prosecutions
However, the IGG filed comparably fewer (29) cases before the same court, won 25 (86 per cent) and lost only four. Besides, most big cases that resulted in convictions and lengthy jail terms of high profile individuals such as Teddy Cheeye, the former director for Economic Monitoring in the President’s Office, ex-NSSF Managing Director Chandi Jamwa and interdicted Works engineer, Sam Bagonza, were prosecuted by the Ombudsman. It is not clear if sloppy investigations by police hamstring DPP as opposed to the Ombudsman that investigates its own cases and prosecutes offenders.
There are at least 10 cases in the court’s archives that lack corresponding entries on prosecuting agency and detailed outcomes, making it difficult to ascertain if the IGG or DPP filed them or whether they could have been won or lost. The anomaly also raises questions about the quality and reliability of official data.
Compared to the High Court (civil or land divisions) where cases drag on for several years, at the Anti-graft Court, most rulings are made within a year or two. Put another way, suspects get justice faster.
Convicted
Convict Offence
Deo Imere Corruption
Wilfred Chebet forgery
David Kaye Cheptuke Corruption
Stephen Wakhweya Embezzlement
Sam Kamba Embezzlement
A M. Chemisto & 3 others Embezzlement
Moses Abanikye Embezzlement
James Godfrey Obua Abuse of office
B S. Okello & 2 others Embezzlement
Catherine Namaganda Embezzlement
Denis Kilama Causing financial loss
Wycliff John Gashenyi Appeal
Emillio Thinno Corruption
Emmanuel Matovu Causing financial loss
Florence Biringi Embezzlement
Enock Kaweesa Impersonation
James Maganda Embezzlement
Abbas Musa Mocha Corruption
George Kiweeswa Abuse of office
Philemona Namirembe Uttering false document
Senteza Kajubi Tumwebaza Impersonation
John Bechy Okoya Uttering false document
Moses Kibirango Impersonation
Eng. Francis Otto Corruption & bribery
Ssali Bwire Corruption
Erick Kizito Forgery
Nwangi Nthigah Forgery
Stephen Bakain Muhungirehe Corruption
Cyprian Okot Otto Forgery
Saulo Onyanyo & others Embezzlement
Mary Kabahweza Uttering false document
Convict Offence Sentence/ Refund
Stephen Semakula Corruption 1 year or Shs1m fine
Paul Tasingika Impersonating a public officer 1 year imprisonment
Rose Nambusi Embezzlement 1 year in jail or Shs1m fine
John Abiriga Corruption & bribery Convicted (detail unavailable)
Nad Ampumize Causing financial loss 3 years imprisonment
Ojok Omol Embezzlement 18 months imprisonment
Unnamed (Accused 3) Causing financial loss Shs1m or 2 years in jail
V Semanda & another Abuse of office 2 years in jail each, Shs1.2m fine
Ambross Ajal Embezzlement 3 years in jail & Shs4.1m refund
Richard Bongomin Akal Embezzlement 3 years in jail & Shs11m refund
Mubaraka Zaake & 3 others Causing financial loss 6 years in jail & Shs60m refund
Nicholas Segujja Criminal trespass 6 months imprisonment
Keneth Kaawe Embezzlement 8 years in jail & Shs210m refund
Gregory Mugisha Abuse of office 3 years imprisonment
V Baluka & another Abuse of office 4 years in jail & Shs100 refund
Stanley Mugenyi (Offence unspecified) Conviction upheld, 3 years in jail
Florence Birungi Appeal against conviction Appeal dismissed
Richard Bongomin Akal Embezzlement Conviction upheld, 3 years in jail
Jackson Byamukama Abuse of office Appeal dismissed
V P. Wamala Soliciting gratification Appeal dismissed
3 unnamed persons Embezzlement @ Shs310m refund, 8 yrs in jail
Milly Kirungi & 2 others Embezzlement Appeal broke, details unavailable
Dr Isanga Embezzlement 5 years imprisonment
Paul Senfuka Embezzlement 5 years imprisonment
Teddy Seezi Cheye Embezzlement 10 yrs in jail & Shs100m refund
Sarah Birete Embezzlement 10 years imprisonment
Eng. Sam Bagonza Embezzlement 5 years imprisonment
David Chandi Jamwa Abuse of office 12 years imprisonment
Herbert Shabila & 2 others Corruption Shs4m refund each
Breaking News
Citing gross human rights abuses and other criminal acts by Unit operatives, Force Spokesman Asuman Mugenyi says the crack unit is disbanded with...
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Here is the list of Uganda’s thieves
In Summary
Swift: In two years, the Anti-Corruption Court has convicted 61 people of graft-related crimes.
tbutagira@ug.nationmedia.com

Information sharing boosts farming in kwegegwa district

RIC-NET as an information center has been at forefront towards helping the farmers in the Rwenzori region. Some of the information provided includes, how to manage small scale plots for profitability, care for poultry and weekly Plant Clinic Refresher trainings have been organized to update the farmers on better practices of Agriculture.

Mrs. Leonida Byavilonda who works as community volunteer and a farmer in kyegegwa Town council and shared her happiness on how RIC-NET has helped her develop a poultry farm. Leonida explained that she got information from the center related to poultry keeping. [Care for chicken, preparing the shed, diagnosis of sick ones and market information. She was helped to network with other service provider like the kyegwegwa Veterinary officer. The information obtained was shared with other people in the village where she comes from. She also gets feedback from the farmers about poultry keeping and issues coming out from the villages.

Success trends.

Using the training she obtained knowledge and skills on poultry farming. Poultry keeping has improved as indicated below.

Number of Chicken kept since 2009-2011

Year.	2008	2009	2010	2011
Number of birds kept	20	44	100	120

Average Income level less expenses since the beginning of her activity

year	2008	2009	2010	2011
Average income per year.	50000	100000	150000	300000

This indicates that the more the chickens less expenses are incurred. The rate per chicken range from10000-15000 depending on the size and the quality. There has been great access to information through RIC-NET information point. Leonida also have been helping the community to provide knowledge on poultry keeping.

According to Ahebwa William, a farmer with Oranges, Pineapples and Mangoes, he explained that, RIC-NET provided him with information on how to plant, care for plant [best agricultural practices] of his fruits. He owns 10 acres of land.

Table showing planted area.

Plants.	Oranges	Mangoes	pineapples
Quantity.	250 per tree	156 per tree	1500

Output for the past income for the past one year.

Plants	Average Output per pant in 4 months	Income	Average income.
Oranges	5 basins	50000	12,500,000
Pineapples		1000 per fruit.	1,500,000
mangoes	4 basins	20000	3,120,000

Income is likely to double next year because the plants are going to yield more than this year.

The secret behind this is the proper care of the plants by using proper pesticides, manure and proper care of the field.

Advice to other small scale farmers.

-          Networking with other information providers to get knowledge of business agriculture.

-          Sharing skills and knowledge on crop production and animal husbandry.

-          Engage in agriculture because of the benefits it has brought i.e. income to the family as well as food security.mr Ahebwa has been able to afford paying school fees for his 5 children, bought a motorcycle to coordinate his business and built a permanent house for his family. He has also cows that support his family with daily milk.Mrs leonida has afforded to provide Tuition  fees for her Daughter at University

Are human rights in Oil and Gas areas observed and monitored?

On 27^th August members of CSO’s in the Rwenzori region convened to discuss the way forward towards Human rights protections in the Oil belts of Uganda. This was at Hotel Cornerstone in the heart of Fort portal Town. Participants included religious leaders, opinion leaders, leaders of CSO’s, Uganda Human Right Commission staff. Uganda is having about 2.5 billion Barrows of oil and about 100000 barrows are produced. The present Oil in Uganda will last for 20-30yrs. About 1000 people are currently employed in the oil sector. The government together with the oil company plan to build a refinery in Hoima. The Oil companies in Uganda are Tullow, CNOC and TOTAL.90% of the effects of oil happen in the transportation process [spilling of oil]. 15% of the total revenue was supposed to be for local government and the kingdoms but the new law allows 3% to these categories.

Is Uganda moving in the right direction or in a dangerous sector if our leaders are not acting well to help the country benefit from what we have as oil? What are then these human rights? They are inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is entitled. They apply to everyone, everywhere; they exist as natural rights and legal rights. Human rights are universal; Article 1 and article 20 of the constitution. The principle is these rights are universal, promote equality, apply to everyone and not separable etc.  The responsibility to uphold the rights is in right holder and duty holder. The overall responsibility of meeting human rights rests in the state through its organs. The state must ensure transparency in its conduct in observing these rights in the constitution.

However the oil sector has made a population of Uganda think this would be “a curse”. This was based on what people observed that; the signature bonus given to Uganda was never invested as was required, there has been military interventions especially on those who raise their voice in areas Ugandan’s right have been violated like in Hoima,Bulisa and the surrounding villages. Land grabbing is the order of the day. The major problem now is pollution in the oil area. What have been observed are environmental degradation, oil spilling, and air pollution? In Nigeria there are 1 billion barrows of oil and 30-40 thousand people are employed in the oil sector but “violence has attracted violence” and these are not supposed to happen in Uganda. Can we think of a Uganda where “peace will attract Peace” or we may need a Divine intervention for peace to prevail. How is the construction of the refinery going to answer the fundamental question of protecting human rights in Uganda? Does the said law answer article 23, 24,25,26,27,28,41,42 of the constitution as fear has already to be observed? The answer was “NO”.

Participants agreed that human rights are not observed and it now the role of all the right holders and those in authority. Monitoring of these rights would involve; a) Tracking what is happening [measuring progress in relation to implementation plan, situation monitoring, measuring change in a condition or set of condition i.e. change in situation of children and women],b). Purpose [provide accountability for implementation, improve program implementation, trigger rapid adaptation, feed into evaluation and provide information for advocacy]. Monitoring would also involve collection, verification and use of information to address human rights. Monitoring aim at establishing the compliance of 2 objectives like Respect and protect.

The quest for Democratic policing in Uganda.

On the 26^th July the CSO fraternity in Fort Portal and the attendant districts with a particular had training on how Human Rights and governance related aspects and how police accountability and reform can be achieved.RIC-NET was represented by the Outreach Officer. The training was conducted by HURINET UGANDA.The objectives were; to strengthen the CSO’s capacity in holding the police accountable, to enhance the CSO’s with the knowledge and skills of monitoring and documenting police violations of human rights and contribute to the creation of a strong civilian oversight over the police in the region. Speaker after speaker shared their disappointment with the police activity and the violation of human rights.

Police reform is about removing illegitimate political and executive control over the police, making the police accountable to the law, raising standards of recruitment, training, leadership in police and improve the terms and conditions of the work and service for the police. Police reform is not about creating a powerful militaristic police force that support corruption, help in vote staffing and rigging, more corrupt and allowing the police to function without control and restraints. “The Monkey will never make a judgment to the forest”. Could this be the guiding principle for the police in Uganda to work towards the demands of the command in chief? During the public demonstration in April and May 2011, there was large scale violation of Human rights [children killed, torture and ill treatment, arbitrary arrest, intimidation, threats and harassment of journalists] this is what is referred to as “lack of legitimacy of the police”

Police reform benefits may include; No arbitrary transfer and posting, transparency in recruitment and which means that the best will join the service, time bound promotions for the honest and efficient, independent decisions in investigations and the public work, closer and better rapport with the public making police task easier and working to serve the nation and people and not for the interests of those in authority. As citizens, a reformed police force will; be more accessible and sensitive to you problems, be courteous and polite and not use short cuts or third degree methods, help us in accessing justice, provide us with a feeling of security, establish an environment where we can pursue our economic and other activities without fear and enjoy rights without hindrance and strengthen and enhance the growth of Democracy in Uganda

The members observed that security is not a monopoly of the state. Every citizen has a role towards security of the individual and property. Patriotism is not only loving the party but the love for the nations and her people and property. It should be noted that police officer come from the society to serve in police and after retirement they shall go back to the same society. Members agree that Police are supposed to be accountable to the various institutions in the government. It’s essential for the Civil Society to ensure the police use its powers and authority in a manner reflecting respect for the law and individual rights and freedoms in addition to the set out government institutions. The police representative in the meeting Ms Hidaya Namiabo [child protection unit] accepted the situation and promised to inform the higher authority about the results and mentioned that police actions can be reported directly on 0392962790 and toll free 0800200019 or on www.policereformcompaign,org.

Plant clinics now an Asset to the farmers.

Plants clinic activities rocked high during the farmer’s market information symposium. This was realized during the market information symposium held from 24^th-25^th at Kisinga play ground Kisinga sub county Kasese district. This was the second symposium of its kind in Uganda, it’s meant to bring buyers and farmers together. The symposium was co-organized by RIC-NET and KRC with support and funding form FIT Uganda and Agric-Pro-focus Uganda. The theme of the symposium was “promoting farmers entrepreneurship through the provision of sustainable market information services to enhance competitive trade”. Agric-Pro-Focus work with individuals, groups, companies and organizations like HIVOS, SNV and Oxfam working in the agriculture sector.

Plant doctor were able to attend to 372 farmers for two days. The Doctors were Mr. Asaba Wilberforce, Ms. Biira Astaluzi, and Ms.Walina Juliet who operate daily in the markets of Ksinga, Mpondwe and Kinyabisiki respectively in Bukonzo County in Kasese district.

Below is the summary of what happened at Plant clinic stole.

		Number of farmers involved.
Crop samples	Disease and symptoms identified	Female	Males	Total
Beans	Leaf wilting, Injury o leaves, Growing points etc due to feeding damage	121	46	167
Maize	Leaves: vein yellowing, inter-vein yellowing, leaf yellowing, yellow blotching of leaves, yellow mosaic of leaves, leaf curling, leaf crumpling, leaf vein thickening, leaf elations, leaf cupping,	122	71	191
Banana	Banana bacterial will, with yellowing of leaves and stunted growth.	89	172	161
Cocoa	Seeds on flower covered to dark spore mass	23	44	67
Ground nuts	Stunted growth and yellowing of leaves. Nematodes and fungus on the leaves	111	79	190
Mangoes oranges	Falling down by ripening, others splitting leave large opening.	34	41	75
pawpaw	Bacterial and fungus	02	09	11
cassava	Cassava mosaic begomo viruses.Symptoms;Stunting,Mosaic,Choloris Leaf distortion, ‘Candle stick	135	69	204
pineapple	Stunted growth	17	45	52
Cabbages	Bacterial, warms, fungus and nematodes.	21	09	30
Other vegetables.	silvery, curved larval mines on leaf underside, Leaf shedding, feeding tunnels visible on the stems, Leaf yellowing, Stunted growth & eventual  mortality	34	11	45

Note: These figures depend on the information the farmers were giving to the Plant Doctors during the entire exercise. The figures apply to particular crop(s) on the prescription form(s) from the Plants Doctors during the two day market information symposium.

Asaba Wilberforce Plant Doctor in white court attending to mangoe farmers

According to the chairperson LC III Kisinga sub county Mr. Chance Kahindo, mentioned that “this is a big relief that NGO’s have come in to supplement the work the government had intended to do but due to other factors it has not been done”. Farmers have most often been frustrated by pests and disease which have led to low output per acre. Farmers too expressed their heartfelt gratitude to these plant doctors have are volunteering to offer service to the farmers. “it was not heard off that plants can also be taken to the clinic”. They thanked RIC-NET for giving these people knowledge and skills to help. 

tomatoes in the market

The chairperson LCV Kasese on the same stole mentioned that farmers should utilize these people well, support them.

However these plants Doctors who have for the past 2 years been helping farmers voluntarily are not facilitated to keep moving from village to village educating farmers on better and improved methods of farming. Some time they have received resistance from some local government personally thinking they are disrupting their activities. Some farmers mentioned that it would be ideal for the government to take on plant clinic activities and those that have already done the work and have the skills should be give the chance and opportunity to work with the farmers at the grass root level. Could this be a thought by the Kasese District local government to take on Plant Clinic activities?