Residents of the newly created Kikuube district in Bunyoro sub-region have asked Parliament to intervene and offer support in the fight against illegal tobacco trade that has been associated with insecurity.
The Mayor of Kikuube Town Council, Moses Mugisha said that tobacco companies that were banned by government have continued to trade in tobacco.
“There are traders who were banned from purchasing tobacco but have persisted. The worst thing is that they have delayed paying farmers and we are worried because our children are about to report to school,” Mugisha said.
Mugisha made these remarks at a fundraising for Kigaaya Archdeaconry on Sunday, 08 September 2019. The event was attended by the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives banned three companies from trading in tobacco within the region after failing to meet the tobacco buying regulations. The said companies were accused of causing confusion and posing a security threat.
Kadaga said that she had received several petitions from the MPs representing Kikuube Districta bout the illegal tobacco trade and promised that Parliament would act on them as stipulated in the rules of procedure.
“This issue has been brought to Parliament many times; we have told the Minister of Trade to supervise and ensure that the banned companies do not continue in the trade, ” Kadaga said.
Mayor Mugisha also called for increased insecurity in the region characterised by theft of cattle and household items. This, he said is associated with the rampant drug abuse by youth that goes unchecked. “
Kadaga pledged to engage the Inspector General of Police to beef up security in the district.
The Speaker contributed shs5 million towards the construction of the church.
-Parliament
Iam from kakumiro district bunyoro rigion.My opinion is that tobacco growing should be completely banned the reason is that even the company trading tobacco has also used this chance of mistreating farmers. Tobacco is not fairly graded in the market and some farmer are failing to get what they expected. My children are dropping out of schools the reason being tobacco failed to get a fair market.