Fr Caesar Dralega, the parish priest of Arua Christ the King Church is demanding that government accounts to the people of West Nile for the proceeds from Tobacco grown in the region.
Fr Caesar Dralega says the tobacco grown in West Nile fetches shillings 40 billion annually. He says despite this, nothing has changed in the lives of tobacco farmers.
While presiding over the Easter Mass yesterday, Father Caesar Dralega challenged government and British American Tobbaco Company Uganda to be fair to tobacco farmers in West Nile.
He accused both the government and tobacco companies of failing to invest back part of their profits from Tobacco grown in West Nile community projects like, health centers, schools and hospitals.
Father Caesar Dralega urged the government to use the resurrection of Jesus to build hope, faith and love in people they lead.
But the call for accountability for money generated from tobacco did not go well with BAT officials.
Peter Mukisa, the leaf operations manager for West Nile says the company has done a lot especially in the area of education.
He says BAT constructed Ragem technical school, which is the best technical school in West Nile region.
He said they have also been remitting funds to the district to invest in community programs.
Politicians, religious leaders have for many years urged tobacco farmers to shift their attention to crops where they could reap big.
Tobacco is the chief cash crop in the West Nile districts of Arua and Koboko.
