Following the invasion of locusts in the Karamoja region in the districts of Amudat, Nakapiripiti, and now Kumi, government yesterday airlifted spraying kits comprising of close to 2000 litres of drugs (Cypermethrin), 500 motorized spray pumps and about 1500 manual spray pumps.
The authorities also reported that they were closing in on the deal of procuring spraying planes. However, new developments indicate that government has approved Shs7 billion more to fight locusts.
Stephen Byantware, the Commissioner for Crop Protection confirmed the development during his address early today at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
Yesterday while overseeing the dispatch material at Kololo Airstrip, State Minister for Agriculture Henry Aggrey Bagiire revealed how the ministry used the first approved Shs15 billion.
He said the ministry used Shs11 billion to clear the outstanding debt with the Desert Locusts Control Organization.
The general locust control operation was left with about only Shs3 billion which Bagiire said was put to the right use.