Joan Kutegeka a woman dealing in salt mining says currently processing the salt is becoming difficult because of lack of firewood. She says they trek a long distance searching for firewood.
Salt miners in Kibiro village in Kigorobya sub-county, Hoima district want the government
to establish technologies to process salt.
The miners currently use local methods to mine salt in the area, which they say
is affecting their business, since it is their only source of income.
Joan
Kutegeka a miner says currently processing the salt is
becoming difficult because of lack of firewood. She says they trek a long
distance searching for firewood.
//Cue in:” Etuyambe Kufunira akatale…
Cue out…Abakyara ba kibiro.:”//.
Dorothy Kabahenda says government should avail them with ready market for their
locally manufactured salts, which is sold cheaply. According to Kabahenda, well-processed
salt costs 1,000 to 1,500 shillings.
She says if government invests in modern technology, they would produce quality
salt and their income levels would be boosted.
//Cue in:”
Hanku nio eta…
Cue out…Mukatale kaitu ako.:”//.
Godfrey
Abigaba, another resident says the women are hardworking but go through a lot
of difficulties as they carry out salt mining.
He says that the sub-county and district leadership have done nothing to help
the women to produce quality salt.
//Cue in:” Kandi orutukugaruka hali…
Cue out:…Bahimbire omunyo ogwo.:”//.
Midesta Mugisa, the Kigorobya sub-county LC3 Chairperson says the sub-county is
incapacitated to develop the salt mining gardens since the money required is
inadequate.
The Kibiro
Salt Village stands as a unique example of the industry that has maintained its
people for close to 800 – 900 years past and probably continues to do this for
the generations to come.
Since the area is home to many salt gardens, mining and processing salt is
highly done in the salt garden.
The United
Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also
recognized the significance of Kibiro Salt Gardens and Hot springs by adding it
on the list of the world heritage sites tentatively on 10th September 1997
falling under the culture category.
