The residents of Kayonza have expressed gratitude to the outgoing leadership for their efforts in bringing development to the district, but are now calling on the new leaders to focus on addressing pressing issues such as irrigation and drought mitigation. The district has faced recurring droughts and food shortages, particularly in areas such as Ndego and Mwili. Residents say that the new leadership should prioritize irrigation projects to mitigate the effects of drought.
According to residents, the district's failure to implement effective irrigation projects has exacerbated the effects of drought, leading to food shortages and water scarcity. Bagirayabo Potien, a resident, said that while they appreciate the progress made by the outgoing leadership, they want the new leaders to focus on irrigation projects to prevent future droughts from having a devastating impact on their livelihoods.
Giramata Joselyne, another resident, echoed similar sentiments, citing the need for the new leadership to prioritize irrigation projects to address the recurring food shortages and water scarcity in the district. She noted that in the past, the district had implemented some irrigation projects, but they were not effectively maintained, leading to their ineffectiveness.
The President of the Kayonza District Council, Doreen Basiime Karimba, acknowledged that the district has faced significant challenges due to drought and climate change. She revealed that the council has initiated several projects aimed at enhancing irrigation and mitigating the effects of drought, including the construction of the Kanyaganyege and Gishanda dams.
According to Karimba, the Kanyaganyege dam, which is 73% complete, will have the capacity to irrigate 150 hectares of land, while the Gishanda dam, which is 61% complete, will irrigate 200 hectares. The district council hopes that these projects will help reduce the impact of drought on residents and enhance food security.
Senetor John Bideri emphasized that the handover of leadership is not an end, but rather a new beginning, and that the district council will continue to work tirelessly to address the challenges facing the district. He noted that the district council has made significant progress in the past five years, passing 155 resolutions, of which 151 were implemented.
The residents of Kayonza are optimistic that the new leadership will prioritize their needs and work towards addressing the pressing issues of irrigation and drought mitigation. With the implementation of these projects, the district hopes to reduce its reliance on rain-fed agriculture and enhance food security for its residents.
Key points
- The residents of Kayonza are calling on new leaders to prioritize irrigation and drought mitigation efforts.
- The district has faced recurring droughts and food shortages, particularly in areas such as Ndego and Mwili.
- The district council has initiated several projects aimed at enhancing irrigation and mitigating the effects of drought, including the construction of the Kanyaganyege and Gishanda dams.
