By Pascal Kwesiga
Masindi district in mid-western Uganda, is about 120kms from Kampala city. Uganda’s largest protected area, the Murchison Falls National Park, spills into the district, making it truly serene.
The Budongo Forest known for its rich chimpanzee population and the exhilarating Karuma Falls are both found here and hence Masindi is a popular destination for tourists.
The district borders Amuru in the north, Apac in the east, Nakasongola in the south east, Kiboga in the south, Hoima in the south west, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the west.
Masindi has fertile soils to support the predominantly agricultural population. Pakanyi and Mirya subcounties are very fertile grain producing areas, Kimengo sub county is majorly a pastoral area while Nyangahya and Karujubu divisions are comprised of sugarcane farmers. The leading cash crop is maize.
 Officials tour the project site of Karuma Falls Dam on the side of Masindi district in April last year | According to the district agricultural production department, maize yields range between 1,500 to 2,500 kilogrammes per hectare on average. Masindi grows about 16, 560 hectares of maize in two seasons each year. The high yields are attributed to the high rainfall and soils favourable for cultivation. Maize has over-taken many other crops due to its ability to grow well in most parts of the district including those with poor soils but with regular rains. |
Maize is a food security crop since it is high in nutrients and can be stored for a long time. Farmers also use it to make folder to feed their cattle while another by-product, maize brand is used to feed pigs.
However, maize prices are very low due to high production, with a kilogramme of maize going for as low as sh150. Poor post-harvest handling methods also lead to massive losses. The crop is attacked by pests and diseases such as termites, maize stock borer and maize streak virus among others.
A number of achievements have also been made in various sectors. The district has embarked on the construction of health centres, schools and staff houses. Two out-patient blocks have been constructed at Kirasa health centre and two staff quarters at Bwijanga health centre II under the Peace Recovery Development Programme (PRDP).
Aggrey Ngobi, the district chief administrative officer (CAO), says there are plans to redesign and renovate Masindi Hospital, construct health centres and 20 staff houses for health staff in the next financial year.
A total of 24 classroom blocks and 135 pit latrine stances were constructed under the education sector in the last financial year using funds from the School Facilitation Grant (SFG) and PRDP.
Ngobi says they plan to build another 100 classrooms, renovate 30 old ones, procure 3000 three-seater desks and 25,000 instructional materials among others in the coming financial year.
A total of 21 boreholes have been drilled and installed under the water aid project, the CAO says. There are also plans to construct 108 deep wells with funds from the water aid project and the central government.
About 624.95 kms of road have been rehabilitated and there are plans to rehabilitate another 280kms, and to open up 352kms of community access roads. Joshua Amanyire, the Masindi municipal mayor says they have embarked on tarmacking all roads in Masindi town.
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