The local council five leaders in Teso Sub – region have applauded the former aspirant for Soroti City West Division Calvin Econ over the excellent report Submitted to President Museveni on Tuesday 20th February 2024 on a number of outstanding Socio-Economic issues in the region. The report based on the Teso’s economic protagonist was presented to President Museveni by Calvin Ecodu in company of other top leaders in Teso including Dr. Kenneth Ongalo Obote, the State Minister for Teso Affairs, Dr Okaasai Sidorious Opolot, the State Minister for Energy, Ambassodor Nelson Oceger, Uganda’s high commissioner to Abuja, Nigeria, Lt Gen Charles Angina, Uganda’s Deputy Ambassodor to Egypt, Mr Solomon Osiya, a former member of the NRM Manifesto committee, Mr Augustine Otuko, the Private Secretary to the President incharge Political affairs, Hon, Anthony Esenu, MP Kapelebyong County, Mr Peter Edepu Edeku a Lawyer and Bussiness consultant and Mr Omoding Osborne among others.
While addressing the region on Teso Broadcasting Services, a local radio in soroti on Saturday morning, Mr. Augustine Otuko informed the public that the report was to respond to the four major Socio-economic questions President Museveni tasked Mr Calvin Echodu and his team to help him answer for Teso region.
According to Mr Otuko the report was specific to the assignment given to Mr Echodu. “The report is not a Teso Development Agenda/Plan. It is simply answering the questions the President raised.” Which include;
1- What amount of income is sufficient enough to support a household in teso for one year?
2- What is the average land holding in teso?
3- What enterprises are viable for a household in teso and lastly?
4- What can government do?
This report comes at a time
Uganda National Bureau of Statistics has disclosed that Teso’s economy has dropped to the second lowest ranking in the country after Karamoja. Such concerns have attracted president Museveni to start engaging various stakeholders to understand the core of the problem drugging down Teso’s economy.
In the report, the problem surrounding the Soroti Fruit factory was one of those on the frontline of Ecodu’s presentation and in this case, the president was taken through the dissection of the factory’s dilemma. Ecodu helped the President to appreciate that the factory is small compared to the current huge production levels in the region raging between 800,000tons to 1,600,000 tons per annum. The report is proposing high taxes for importation of concentrates so that domestic juice companies can buy from Soroti fruit factory. Additionally the report advises the President to enhance the current factory while attracting more private manufacturers to absorb excess production.
Among other key issues was the revival of the cattle economy of Teso referring to the earlier times before the raids dominated the region and the 1980’s insurgencies.According to the Report as highlighted by Mr. Otuko, ugshs 24.8 Million is modestly required for every household to sustain itself for a year to make provisions like daily feeding, clothing’s, school fees requirements, medical, transport among others. Otuko further outlined that the president was informed on the need to amplify cattle rearing as a much earning enterprise for Teso.
“In our research, we established that currently Teso on average sells 20, 000 cattle per month from the ten major cattle markets in the region, meaning that an estimated 240,000 cattle are sold annually fetching for Teso an estimate of ugshs. 400 Billion per annum. In addition, milk is estimated to contribute close to ugshs 40billion per annum.
Simon Peter Edoru Ekuu, the Soroti District local government Chairman, who also the Spokesperson of the Teso LC.5 chairpersons applauded Mr. Ecodu and the team for their shot on target. Speaking on TBS Radio, Edoru praised the composers of the report and called for the immediate implementation of its content.
“Idealy this report matches with what we the Teso LC.5s submitted to the president while at Gen. Peter Elwelu’s home, we hope that this will give us a backing in recovering from poverty.” he said
Meanwhile Francis Akorikin the Kapelebyong district Chairman called on the president to consider the report and have it accurately implemented and treated with urgency.
On the other hand, Hon Ochola Steven appearing on Etop Radio on saturday 24th February2024 also appreciated the effort made by Mr Echodu and his team in defining the economic questions of Teso. He requested the fraternity of Teso leaders to put their political differences aside and embrace the report for the betterment of Teso. He agreed with the report that Teso needs to go back to Cattle economy because it was the only way the region and the people would transform.
