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Uganda: Monkeys a Menace to Kalangala Farmers
Kalangala - Farmers in Kalangala District are desperately looking for people who can help them get rid of monkeys even if by eating them.

The farmers said monkeys have destroyed several acres of crops including maize and several families risk hunger. "We appeal to those people who can eat them to do so and help us to reduce on their population," said Ms Geraldine Ssekitenda who spoke on behalf of farmers.

"Monkeys have caused a lot of suffering among poor farmers whose livelihoods solely depend of agriculture." The sentiments were expressed during the launch of the Hunger Free Woman Campaign by ActionAid Uganda on last week in Kalangala.

The campaign, which was flagged off last week, will reach Masindi, Lira, Kumi and end in Tororo where celebrations to mark this year's World Food Day will be held on October 16.

Ms Ssekitenda's appeal is similar to that made by the former State Minister for Agriculture, Dr Israel Kibirige Ssebunnya, who died on Wednesday.

On 27 March 2006 on a visit to the island, Dr Ssebunya advised farmers to eat the monkeys after the islanders complained that the primates were a menace. However, the Wild Life Act prohibits people from killing or eating wild animals.

Although monkey meat is a delicacy in some countries and among some tribes in Uganda, the Ministry of Health has also warned Ugandans against eating it saying the primates are suspected to be the reservoirs of the deadly Ebola.

The Country Director of ActionAid Uganda, Mr Charles Busingye, said a recent study carried out in Kalangala, indicated that monkeys were among the factors contributing to food insecurity in the district.

Mr Busingye also blamed limited access to productive land, improved seeds, and stable markets for agricultural products, laziness and the impact of diseases such as HIV/Aids as other factors responsible for food shortage in the district.

The prevalence rate of HIV/Aids in Kalangala is estimated at 30 per cent compared to the national figure of 6.4 per cent. This is mainly attributed to rampant casual sex going on in the district.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/
 

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