Government is to inject more than 19 billion shillings in the rehabilitation of Mubuku Irrigation Scheme in Kasese District.
The one-year project would cater for the grading of roads, foot bridges, re-opening of water channels and renovation of buildings that have been dilapidated for over twenty years.
Mubuku Irrigation Scheme was established in 1962 but it went into disrepair in the 1980s, according to Frank Twinamatsiko, the Chairman of Abaija Kweyamba Mubuku Farmers’ Cooperative Society, who have been using the facility.
State Minister for Environment Flavia Nabugera Munaaba on Thursday presided over the ground breaking ceremony for the rehabilitation work to be undertaken by Coil Limited, a Chinese company.
The minister said that government wants to ensure food security since Uganda currently feeds most countries in the great lakes region.
She noted that there should be proper use of water so that as food production is being improved, the environment is also conserved.
Nabugere urged farmers to strengthen cooperative societies for bulk marketing in order to reap much from the ready market for food.
The Kasese district Chairman, Lt.Col. Mawa Muhindo said that the rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme gives new hope for the improved livelihood of the population because the food supply has been low.
Mawa added that the government should also explore more irrigation opportunities on the twelve rivers flowing from the Rwenzori Mountains through the entire district.
Mubuku irrigation scheme is known for growing rice, maize, tomatoes, onions, cabbages, pepper, beans and soya beans among others.
