Members of Parliament serving on the Committee of Agriculture, Animal Industries, and Fisheries are urging an investigation into the allocation and utilization of 27.6 billion Shillings in the government’s silkworm farming project, which was suspended. This project falls under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
The silkworm project, also referred to as sericulture, was established as one of 17 science and innovation initiatives by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 2016. Since its inception, it has received over 31 billion Shillings from the government’s Innovation Fund.
However, MPs express concern that after the Government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tropical Institute for Development Innovation (TRIDI) to advance the initiative, the project was terminated, leading to economic losses and wasted investments.
Yona Musinguzi, representing Ntungamo Municipality, questioned the Ministry’s decision to terminate the MoU with the contractor despite existing infrastructure and availability of silk-producing eggs.
James Kubeketerya, MP for Bunya County East Constituency, highlighted that 27.6 billion Shillings were allocated in the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year for sericulture enhancement, raising questions about fund utilization amid project suspension.
Committee Chairperson Janet Okori-Moe, the Abim District Woman Representative, stressed the potential of silk production to bolster the economy while attributing the suspension to poor coordination, legislation, and a lack of a committed team.
Dr. Monicah Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, stated that the MoU termination followed legal advice, citing poor project design.
However, TRIDI’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Robson Aine, accused the Ministry of hindering project progress, emphasizing the disruption of initial plans to meet market demand.
Parliament’s allocation of 43 billion Shillings in the 2022/2023 fiscal year aimed to facilitate raw material production, establish silkworm egg facilities, and provide training. TRIDI management noted the Ministry’s suspension of funds release, resulting in substantial investment wastage.
At the time of the MoU breach, the project employed over 1,500 Ugandans across 24 districts. An annual performance report revealed silk’s high value compared to raw cotton.
