Battle against Desert Locusts: UPDF Personnel Camp in Napak District

By Kampala Post Reporter

146 UPDF personnel led by Maj Winston Agaba on Monday camped in Nakichumet Parish, Napak district to spray locusts which raided the area on Sunday night.

The spraying exercise that begun at about 07:00am, excited the residents as they commended the army for the prompt response. The exercise is part of the continuing battle against the pests that started last month following the invasion.

Maj Agaba informed the residents who turned up to witness the spraying, that the exercise would go on until the entire region is free of the destructive insects.

Huge swarms of desert locusts invaded Uganda from Kenya, through Amudat district. They have since spread to Moroto, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Abim and Bukwo.

The pests have destroyed several hectares of food crops and vegetation in the area. Bukwo District Production Officer, Franklin Kitiyo, recently told the media that trees such as eucalyptus, pines, Cyprus, Grevillea, among others had not been spared by the locusts.