Grasshopper arrestors under their umbrella body called Masindi Basenene Enterprises have been advised to formalize their business with Masindi municipal council as soon as possible.
The advice was sounded by the chaiiperson Local Council three (LCIII) for Central Division, Isaac Bongmin while addressing grasshopper arrestors during a meeting that was held on Monday at Masindi stadium.
Bongomin noted that, whereas the group is registered with Masindi District Local Government, the two entities are autonomous from each other and therefore their formal existence permits them to work in areas under jurisdiction of Masindi district Local Government but not Masindi Municipality.
After formalization with Masindi municipality, Bongomin explained that Central division will issue them with operational license for the whole financial year but not for a season of arresting grasshoppers as they expected adding that, Masindi municipal council has a charging policy which is a basis of levying taxes to all sorts of businesses.
However, some of the leaders of grasshopper arrestors had mixed reactions towards Bongomin’s call to have their businesses formalised with Masindi municipal council.
Hakin Kabagambe, the association’s general secretary, proposed another meeting after meeting municipal council authorities on Tuesday (tomorrow). However, association’s chairman, Muhammad Nyanzi believes that continuous meetings will derail the schedule of work since time is running out.
Grasshoppers locally known as nsyenene (lugungu) are considered delicacy in Uganda and are seasonally harvested in March, April and November.
Dondo Allan
Innocent Atuganyira
