Desert locusts which had swarmed Kenya a few weeks ago have entered Uganda through Northern region.
Earlier an update from Office of the Prime Minister indicated that the Desert Locusts were are now only 4 kilometres inside Kenya from the border on Amudat side .
According to the District Agricultural Officer Amudat, the locusts are currently in a place called Kiwawa in Kenya and are expected to reach AMUDAT in a matter of less than an hour.
They are predicted to approach AMUDAT District through Abwalinga and Ngongosowon villages of AMUDAT Sub county.
State of Preparedness in Uganda
The Rt Hon Prime Minister will chair an Emergency Meeting of Responsible Political and technical Officers today Sunday 9th Feb at 7 00pm
(1) UPDF has assembled a team to assist MAAIF on ground spraying. The team is on standby at Olilim Baracks.
(2) OPM Disaster Dept has delivered to Olilim Baracks the following to facilitate the spray teams: food (15 tons rice, 15 tons Maize flour) ; Other logistics -( tents, sleeping mats, water containers, cooking , eating vessels etc)
(3) UWA has assembled 85 personnel ready for deployment
(4) MAAIF has deployed surveillance teams in Moroto and Amudat
(5) MAAIF is rapidly delivering to Karamoja 100 backheld motorised spray pumps and 200 manual hand spray pumps as more pumps get procured
(6) MAAIF the lead institution has processed funds for procurement of other logistics and other foods ( beans, meat, vegetables etc), protective gears etc.
(7) Two hired air spray planes will be in Moroto as soon as possible. (8) The Hon Minister MAAIF, Hon Minister for EAC and Hon Minister for Disaster mgt today Sunday 9th travelled to meet their Kenya counter parts in Nairobi on cross border spraying agreements
(9) motorized sprayers mounted on pickups and tractors are being mobilized to moved to Karamoja Subregion
Martin Owor , the Commissioner Disaster Management in Office of the Prime Minister made the update.
