As Ugandans are wondering whether government is really realistic about the invasion of desert locusts in several districts, Minister for Animal Husbandry Bright Rwamirama has explained why there is yet to be cases of damaged vegetation.
While appearing on NBS TV Frontline Show, Rwamirama said the swarms that have so far invaded Uganda are in their last stage of growth which reduces the risk of them clearing the vegetation.
“When the locusts become yellow, they don’t eat much, they only lay eggs,” Rwamirama said.
The Minister stated that the task now as a ministry is to kill all the laid eggs because they can be dangerous when they mature.
“Our target now, the foot soldiers are spraying those areas where they have landed. We believe in 14 days we will map and spray where they have landed. We have identified pumps that can spray tall vegetation and we are going to buy them,” he said.
Yesterday it was reported that the deployed soldiers had resorted to burning the bush after spray pumps failed to work.
Aggrey Bagiire, the State Minister for Agriculture refuted the reports saying the only challenge there are facing is that locusts are landing on trees that are five metres high and the spray pumps can’t reach.