EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE — Livestock farmers who supply milk to three dairy cooperatives this week stormed district offices over non payment of their money.

The group, members of three dairy cooperatives operating in Nyagatare and Rwempasha Sectors, wanted the district to intervene so as to get payment from their cooperative society, for milk supplied for a period of more than one month.

During a heated exchange the members expressed disappointment with officials of Umutara Dairy Marketing Cooperative [UDAMACO] – their umbrella cooperative- accusing them of corruption and dishonest.

They accuse the officials of failing to honor their obligation to pay them on monthly basis. They asked the district head of cooperatives Bonny Ruterana to intervene.

"According to our understanding milk suppliers have to be paid after two weeks. But it is now more than a month and they are not giving us satisfactory explanations,” one furious member said.

Sources said due to the accumulated debts members suspended milk supply, but UDAMACO officials deny this. The same source said in an effort to contain the situation, accused officials suspended scores of the members from the cooperative societies who were allegedly pressing ‘impatiently’ for payment.

The district had reportedly ordered the officials to pay the members pending investigations, something they have failed.

In an interview with The New Times, Ruterana confirmed the sacking and blamed the cooperative top officials for not being open on the issue; and pay the members.

"Am worried, a few days ago we agreed upon that issue [payment] but now they have suspended those who have been pressing hard for their money. But we shall understand the tricks behind. If anybody is found to have misallocated people’s money, the law will take its course,” Ruterana said.

The district recently commissioned an investigation into the matters and inside sources say a preliminary report which indicates that Frw9million went missing, has been brushed as shallow and lacking. They have reportedly asked the investigators to make a comprehensive report.

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