Hoima salt miners decry a lack of market
She also says they can no longer support the education of their children due to a lack of funds, even when the salt is in their area.
By Flavia Ajok
Hoima: Women engaged in salt mining activities at the Kibiro landing site in Kigorobya County, Hoima district, have decried a lack of market for their salt products as well as increased deforestation activities, which they say has made it difficult to sustain their livelihood.
This was revealed this afternoon as a group of over 400 local tourists led by the state minister for tourism, wildlife, and antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, descended to Kibiro hot springs to explore salt mining and production activities in the area.
Judith Katusabe, one of the salt miners in the area, says they can no longer access firewood, which is a raw material in salt production, due to the large-scale cutting down of trees in the area.
She also says they can no longer support the education of their children due to a lack of funds, even when the salt is in their area.
Grace Sabiiti, another salt miner in the area, says the lack of a market for their salt is another challenge with the hilly nature of the area that makes it difficult for them to access the market centers.
She adds that the government should set up a modern market in the area to boost salt sales.
Rev. Eddie Akora, the lay leader of the Kigorobya Church of Uganda, calls for the support of local communities and products by the government in a bid to enhance local content.
He adds that local communities should be prioritized in accessing service delivery in order to support government programs in the area.
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