The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja has assured the public that Government is ready and will handle the Desert Locusts that crossed to Uganda from Kenya yesterday evening through Amudat and Nakapiripiriti Districts in Karamoja sub-region.
He made the remarks Monday at his office in Entebbe.
He said pesticides and motorized spray pumps have reached Karamoja and spraying has already started.
He added that Government has also hired two planes from Kenya, one Plane from the Desert Locust Control Organization and Uganda Police Forces Planes to do the job.
He said Uganda Government has also paid the 10 billion shillings to the Desert Locusts Control Organization of Eastern Africa, being money owed by the country for some time.
“We have paid the debt and Cabinet has approved more money to help us fight these locusts. Therefore, I want to assure the public that we are in control,” The Minister noted.
Locusts can cover as much as 150km a day and a swarm can destroy crops sufficient to feed 2,500 people for a year, according to the United Nations.
Experts estimate that the insects are capable of destroying at least 200 tonnes of vegetation per day.
