BY MATHIUS KAHUNGU
The Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese has suggested to the pastoralists to devise means of extending water to their farms as a means of bringing to an end the conflicts that sometimes occur between them and the cultivators.
In the month of June, tensions between the cultivators and pastoralists reportedly increased in areas of Nyamatunga. Th conflicts arose from an incident in which cattle belonging to pastoralists strayed into the farmers’ gardens, destroying their crops hence causing misunderstandings.
Addressing Christians that had thronged St. Peter’s Nyakatonzi Church of Uganda Parish to witness the confirmation of 53 believers in Christ into the Anglican faith yesterday, Bishop Nason Baluku cited the shortage of water and lack of pasture especially during the dry season as the cause of animals straying into the farmers’ gardens.
The Prelate therefore observed the need for the pastoralists to join hands and forge means of either drilling boreholes or extend water through microscale irrigation schemes at their farms in order to have water for their cows to use to quench their thirst and have plenty of pasture irrespective of the season.
He also appealed to the leaders to continue lobbying the government to extend water and mini irrigation schemes to farming communities as a means of enhancing productivity, food security and peace.
The Bishop made the comments as he responded to a request that was contained in the Parish Vicar’s report, asking him to intervene in finding permanent solutions to the persistent conflicts between the two groups of people in the area.
ENDS