Protests in Mukono as Ofwono Opondo gets OWC cow meant for peasants

By Watchdog reporter

Media Centre boss Ofwono Opondo is in the eye of the storm for receiving an in-calf cow under the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) programme, meant for peasants in the non cash economy.

However reports say Ofwono has returned the cow following protests by Mukono District leaders who never benefitted from the 42 cows to the district.

Local leaders led by councillor Davis Lukyamuzi, representing Nagojje Sub- county, ctiticised officials in charge of OWC, for giving cows to financially stable individuals in the district like Mr Opondo, who also happens to have his official home in Tororo.

The leaders argued that the project was designed to lift the poor from poverty and Ofwono cannot be part of this needy group.

“The cows were given to rich people and influential ones who have the capacity to buy their own animals; leaving out needy people like widows and people with disabilities,” Lukyamuzi said.

Ofwono is not the only well to do person to receive OWC vows, others include Hajj Haruna Semakula, the Mukono District National Resistance Movement vice chairperson, Mr David Kironde Kibugujju, the Mukono District Veterans chairperson and other politicians benefited from the 42 in-calf cows that were distributed in the area, on Monday.

Opondo however defended himself, saying that it was his wife who applied for the cow.

“Although this cow was requested by my wife, I have decided to return it following a lot of hullaballoo from the public and councillors, after all she already has two cows she is taking care of,” Opondo said.

Dr Fred Mukulu, the district production officer said the cows were given to people who have the capacity to look after them “very well.”

Many people in different parts of the country have previously complained about the method used to distribute cows under OWC programme.

They say, only “wealthy” people and politicians are given the animals leaving the primary target-poor people – sharing seeds of various cereals like maize and seedlings of various plants like oranges and mangoes.