Zombo: Councillors demand whereabouts of  ‘missing’ Zombo Tea factory machine

By Mike Rwothomio

How a tea factory machine for farmers in Zombo District reportedly went into the hands of a ” private investor ”   has attracted scathing criticism from councillors in Zombo.

The councillors say the factory machine was given to tea farmers in Zombo by the Ministry of Agriculture through some district Leaders. However, It’s not clear when and how the machine was diverted.

During a council meeting on October 5, 2023, The Councillors became furious following a report from a committee of natural resources and production that clearly stated that the factory machine sent by the Ministry of Agriculture for Tea farmers in the District reportedly went into the hands of a private investor through unclear circumstances.

The councillors failed to clarify when the tea factory machine came into the district and who owned it.

Mike Joram Anyolitho, the district councillor of Zombo Town Council and the chairperson production and natural resources committee whilst presenting the committee report in a council meeting recently said the committee finding discovered that the machine is missing and tasked the district Leadership to keenly do a follow-up.

” The Committee realized that the tea factory machine meant for our farmers is missing and has recommended that the office of C.A.O, LC5 and RDC pick interest and follow up on the whereabouts of the machine” Anyoli said whilst tabling the Committee report at the District council hall early last month.

Denis Donge The District councillor of Atyak Sub_County also The secretary for production and natural resources said efforts to get clarity about the machine proved futile and it’s up to the District leadership to locate the machine.

Mustafa Ongom, The district Councillor of Warr also the secretary of finance wondered how a machine meant for farmers went into the hands of a ”  private investor”. He tasked the production and natural resources committee to investigate and produce a well-detailed report about the ‘Missing’ machine.

” I wonder if the production committee really have any clear information of how that machine was given to the said investor or the district and where is the machine ? “. Ongom asked 

The District councillor of Athuma sub county Francis Bolingo reasoned that for a long,  tea farmers in Zombo have been deceived about the ready market adding the district Leadership should come clean on the report.

” Now it has taken long, The LCV, The RDC and the speaker you here am not happy about the factory machine because for a long farmers have been crying. The tea they have grown have grown in the bush” The vocal Bolingo stressed.

The Council Speaker of Zombo Hassan Ringtho following the heated debate tasked the concerned Committee to get to the bottom and come out with a well elaborate report about the machine. He also called upon The LCV chairperson,  CAO and The RDC to get concerned about the mounting concern.

Tea growing in Zombo according to history dates back to the 1960s, especially in areas of Aka and Zeu. However, many farmers are said to have given up on the cash crop because of a combination of discouraging factors.

Recently, some former and current movers and shakers in the different political positions in the district have been accused by some vocal members of the public of reportedly embezzling bundles of cash meant for the robust growth of the tea factory, The claim was not independently verified.

For years, tea farmers especially from Zeu and Aka under the Zombo Tea Growers Cooperative union have been complaining about the machine.

Lately, people are beginning to venture into tea growing giving a promising future for the cash crop.

What leaders are saying?

The Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Rtd Lt Col Pius Alitema told this Publication that he is aware of the concerns. He assured Councillors of using all available means to get back the machine that is bringing a lot of controversies.

” Councillors came to my office recently about the issue of that missing machine. I have tasked one of our key government agencies to find out where exactly these machines are and the factory itself because it was given and intended to help our tea farmers who are suffering. They have grown tea from the 1960s up to now, so this factory is going to be my biggest task until I find wherever it is” Alitema asserted to this publication.

 In July  2022,  Zombo and Nebbi tea  farmers were shocked upon receiving news that Ugx 5 billion  meant for supply of tea seedlings under National agricultural advisory services ( NAADS)  was reportedly diverted which  compelled inspectorate Government ( IG)  to arrest Alex Opua, of M/S Giant Company Ltd who was given the contract to supply the seedlings.

Last year the district offered 10 acres of land to a UAE investor to establish a tea factory, and the investor is yet to come.