Tuesday , October 8 2024
Home / NEWS / Rushenyi dairy farmers protest non-payment of UGX 670M

Rushenyi dairy farmers protest non-payment of UGX 670M

Angry dairy farmers of Rushenyi in Ntungamo. Courtesy photo

Ntungamo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 500 farmers from Rushenyi County, Ntungamo district are protesting the non-payment of more than 670 million shillings by Birunga dairy. The farmers supplied milk to the dairy between January and September 2019.

The farmers are accusing Innocent Bisangwa the proprietor of Birunga dairy located in Rwentobo town council for frustrating their businesses by failing to pay them.

They argue that Bisangwa has several times promised to pay them but in vain.

John Bosco Ruhangasiimwe, a farmer says Bisangwa has gone silent and is intimidating them for demanding what belongs to them.

Joseph Kanyesigye Nuunu, another farmer says that they acquired loans to set up their dairy businesses but have failed to service them.

According to Ruhangasiimwe, since Bisangwa claims to have supplied milk to the government, they have resolved to petition the President to intervene.

Consolanta Kakiiga, a widow from Mungyenyi cell said that her main source of livelihood is dairy farming and that since March last year, she has not been paid her 30 million shillings.

Bisangwa acknowledged owing the farmers noting that he is looking for the money to pay them. He however attributed delayed payment to the covid-19 lockdown and the closure of the Uganda-Rwanda border which forced him to close business.

He also adds that the amount the farmers are claiming is an exaggeration since his record books indicated a figure half what they are claiming.

******

URN

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *