Luwero district stuck with motorcycles for extension workers

Luweero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Four motorcycles donated by the Prime Minister to extension workers are rusting away at Luwero district headquarters over lack of number plates.

In September 2023 Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja donated five brand-new motorcycles to agricultural extension workers in the Wobulenzi, Kamira, Zirobwe and Busika town councils. The fifth motorcycle was handed to an extension worker in Kamira sub county.

Nabanja handed over the motorcycles to extension workers during an agricultural expo organized by her office at Kasana UMEA Playground in Luwero town. Nabanja donated the motorcycles after extension workers complained that they could not conduct farmers’ visits due to a lack of motorcycles.

But 10 months later, the motorcycles remain parked and rusting away at Luwero district council hall.

Erastus Kibirango the LCV Chairperson of Luwero district explained the motorcycles were recalled from town councils and sub counties after one was stolen from the home of an extension worker.

The motorcycle was untraceable because the district hadn’t installed a number plate on it.

Kibirango added that they had resolved to use local revenue to pay fees required to obtain number plates but the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Prime Minister directed the Chief Administrative Officer to leave the issue to his office.

Kibirango said that since then they have been waiting for the Office of the Prime Minister to process the number plates for the motorcycles in vain.

Kibirango noted that recently the four motorcycles survived being stolen after thugs broke into district offices and disappeared with computers.

Richard Nyombi the LCIII Chairperson of Busiika town council said that after the motorcycle was withdrawn, the area extension worker resorted to walking to work or hiring boda boda to visit the farmers.

“Sometimes because of the high costs, the extension worker fails to visit farmers leaving them crying for his services. We ask for the district and OPM to speed the process of obtaining number plates.’’ Nyombi said.

Richard Bwabye the Luwero Resident District Commissioner says that it’s unfortunate that the extension workers are unable to utilize the motorcycles on minor issues of fixing number plates.

Bwabye said that he learned about the issue from the journalist and promised to ask the Prime Minister to help the district obtain the number plates to enable extension workers to conduct field duties.

Bwabye also faulted district staff for misusing the available motor vehicles and asked CAO to enforce government rules that compel all staff to park them at offices rather than home after work.

Bwabye added that the CAO has already written to the extension worker of Wobulenzi town ordering her to replace the motorcycle that was stolen from her home.

The Office of the Prime Minister is yet to respond on when the registration numbers for the motorcycles will be obtained.

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