Buvuma authorities ban rice growing near palm oil estates

Buvuma, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Buvuma district security committee has stopped rice growing near the newly planted oil palm gardens to avoid the risk of their growth.

The district security committee reached the decision after the rice growers in Kasansa village in Busamuzi sub county failed to control the fire they set to burn rice husks, spreading to the palm gardens belonging to Buvuma Oil Palm Uganda Limited-BOPUL burning close to two acres.

Buvuma Deputy Resident District Commissioner Juma Kigongo says they will lift the ban after sensitising the farmers on proper agricultural practices.

Open burning poses a risk to the environment and public health since it pollutes air breathed by humans. The ashes pollute soil, groundwater, lakes, streams and cause damage to other properties. Gerald Epai, the National Oil Palm Project district coordinator has called for extra vigilance among residents especially when dealing with fire since it can turn wild.

He notes that BOPUL has agreed to replace the damaged palm oil trees following an assessment conducted by the security committee, which showed the fire was unintended. Epai notes that the investor has secured fire tenders on top of grading various pathways through the gardens joining the main road to handle future emergencies.

Musa Makomeri, Kasansa village LC I chairperson who doubles as the Chairperson of Kasansa Rice Grower Association, says that the ban will affect many residents depending on rice growing for survival. He says that farmers are ready to adjust to best farming practices to avoid problems.

Several Buvuma residents abandoned fishing in preference for rice-growing citing the brutality by the Fisheries Protection Unit on Lake Victoria.

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