FISHERIES STATISTICS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FIELD REPORTS
No. 2

May 1989

This is one in a series of Field Reports by the Socio-Economic Working Group of FAO/UNDP Project UGA/87/007, Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems. Socio-Economic Field Reports (SEC Fld Rpts) are intended as occasional working documents/briefs/notes covering on-going Group activities, issued for the information of Project team members and other interested colleagues. Length, format, and content vary according to the type and scope of activity reviewed (field trips, surveys, studies, workshops, etc.). It is cautioned that observations and findings presented in the Reports should be treated as preliminary and subject to further verification. Correspondence, comments, and suggestions are welcomed and may be forwarded to: J. Eric Reynolds, Socio-Economic Advisor, UGA/87/007, FAO/UN, P.O. Box 521, Kampala, Uganda.

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON KICHWAMBA REGION LANDINGS
4 – 7 FEBRUARY 1989

1. INTRODUCTION

Fish landings in the Kichwamba Region were visited by members of the Project in early February 1989. The visit was planned in accordance with a programme of preliminary survey and reconnaissance activity now being conducted across the Project area, covering the fisheries of Lakes Victoria, Edward and George. Mr. Odongkara represented the Socio-Economic Group on the mission team, which was led by the National Project Director and the Chief Technical Advisor. The team was received at the Kichwamba Regional Fisheries Office by the RFO, Mr. Sam Katuramu, and was accompanied to the landing sites staff members of the Regional Office headed by Mr. I.K.Tibategyeza, AFDO. A total of seven landings were visited, as indicated below.

2. THE KICHWAMBA FISHERIES

The Kichwamba fisheries complex is made up of the Lake George-Kazinga Channel-Lake Edward system as well as a number of minor lakes and ponds. It covers the districts of Kasese, Bushenyi and Rukungiri, and is administered by a large office and field staff under a Senior Fisheries Officer. The Kichwamba office is one of the oldest in the country. Compared to other regions, it is quite well equipped, in that there is provision for both land and water transport. Still, there are a number of field staff who lack basic working requirements like housing, office accomodation, weighing scales, and stationery. Field staff also frequently find it difficult to communicate with the regional headquarters.

Fish harvesting activity is mainly carried out from 13 recognised landings plus a few other illegal sites. The official landings are those of Katwe, Kayanja, Kazinga, Kishenyi, and Rwenshama on Lake Edward, Katunguru/Bushenyi and Katunguru/Kasese on the Channel, and Kahendero, Kasenyi, Kashaka, Kayinja, Hamukungu, and Mahyoro on Lake George. Except for Kayinja and Mahyoro, all of these landings and their associated settlements are enclaves located within Queen Elizabeth National Park or Game Reserve land. The generally low level of infrastructure and social amenity development which characterises the villages may be attributed in large part to their enclave status as well as to the fact that many residents regard them not as real “homes” but as temporary workplaces.

There are sizeable populations to be found in the villages. Economic life is based almost exclusively on fishing and related activities. Opportunities for alternative income-generating work are extremely limited, since crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and other forms of resource extraction activities are prohibited in the Park. There is thus little incentive for village fisherfolk to reinvest their incomes locally, a situation which further reinforces the prevailing pattern of underdevelopment.

Fishing effort is mainly directed towards species of tilapia, Bagrus, Barbus, Clarias and Protopterus. Gillnetting is the chief technique employed, with 4.5" and 5" (stretched) mesh sizes being the most common. Other techniques in use include longlining and, more rarely, trapping. Specified numbers of boats are licensed for each landing, although it is known that many illegal units operate at virtually all the sites. The number of nets officially allowed per boat is 10, but it is not uncommon to find units with 30 or more nets in use. For those landings visited, catch per boat per day averaged 36 kgs.

Fishing canoes are mainly of the “Ssese” and “dinghy” design. Ssese canoes are 6 to 8m in length, cost about UShs 70,000/= to build, and are said to have a working life of five years or so. “Dinghies” are somewhat smaller craft, around 5m long. They cost about UShs 15,000/= and last about 2 years. The “Kabalega” is another type of craft employed on the lakes. This is a very large boat which can carry several crew and many passengers. It is expensive to build, the cost being as much as UShs 100,000/= per unit. Kabalegas are of heavy construction and normally have a working life of five years. They are used mostly as transport craft, but can also be found as fishing units working the open waters of Lake Edward.

Fishing crews generally number three per boat. Crew members work for a standard payment of half the daily catch, to be divided between themselves. Fishing labour was seen to be readily available at all the landings. Boat owners or their representatives are responsible for providing the capital and managing the fishing units. They are often organised into a fisherman's association with a Head Fisherman (Gabunga), a co-operative society, or a company. Owners show more diversification in income activities than do the labourers, and they tend to assume greater responsibility for development undertakings within the region or at their home areas.

Processing of fish is carried out at most of the landings. It is often a matter of sheer necessity, since poor transport services and road links pose serious obstacles for the timely delivery of fresh fish to markets. Smoking is by far the most common processing technique, but frying and sun drying were also observed during the site visits. Improved smoking kilns were not in evidence even though lack of firewood is a major constraint to fish processing in this region. The landings around Lake George are the major smoking centres; Katunguru/Kasese on the Channel is the biggest frying centre; and Rwenshama on Lake Edward is known for salting and sun-drying.

The catch is marketed mainly within the districts of Kasese, Bushenyi, and Rukungiri, but substantial quantities of processed fish go to the Kabale area south of Mbarara Town and to neighbouring Zaire. Several large-scale traders are involved in the distribution of fish by pick-up and lorry, although no formal organisation exists amongst them. Whilst the movement of fresh and especially processed products by truck is substantial, most fish transport is probably accomplished through the collective efforts of scores of small-scale bicycle traders who operate throughout the region.

With reference to prices, there is some variation from landing to landing as well as overall fluctuation depending upon the volume of catch. Average prices for fresh fish at the landings visited were as follows:

3. LANDING VISITS

3.1. Katwe

Situated in Katwe Sub-County of Busongora County in Kasese District, Katwe is a permanent gazetted landing which started operating in the early 1930s. It supplies mainly fresh fish which is landed between 9.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon. Fisheries Department staff posted here include one Assistant Fisheries Development Officer (AFDO) and three Fisheries Assistants (FAs). Since it is a large and busy site located directly in a town, the landing has more facilities than is usual for other fishing centres in the region. There are two covered slabs for weighing, selling, cleaning, and packing, though they are in need of repair and only one is currently in operation. An excellent access road provides for rapid evacuation of fish to markets outside of the park boundaries. The town is supplied with electricity and there are many retail outlets where fuel and provisions may be obtained. Maintenance service for gear and boats is readily available, though the supply of many fishing inputs (nets, outboard spares, etc.) is inadequate. In terms of social services, there are two primary schools, one technical school, and a dispensary and three clinics.

There are about 300 people directly engaged in fishing at Katwe. Aside from fish production and its satellite occupations and support services, few alternative income sources are available. Many residents are involved in salt extraction or “winning,” as it is commonly known. This involves working evaporation pans on the flats surrounding the nearby mineral lake which gives the town its name. Some fishermen seek to earn a bit of extra cash by salt winning during the three peak months of the hot season, between December and March. It is possible to produce about 10 bags of salt during this time, worth an estimated UShs 30,000/=.

The fishermen are organised under a Committee which speaks on their behalf. There is also one company, the Katwe Fishing Company, whose 50 shareholders, mostly non-residents of the area, operate 30 boats between them. A co-op society is reported to exist as well. This is the Amani Bugwa Co-operative, which is said to have 15 members and 5 boats. About 20 boats have moved out due to social reasons.

Of the 112 canoes official registered at Katwe, only around 40 are actually operating from the landing at the present time. A number of owners have transferred their operations to other landings, and many craft are laid up for repair or replacement or because necessary gear is lacking. Most of the Katwe canoes are of the Ssese variety, and work with fleets of around 20 nets.

About 40 traders are active at the landing, including 10 women. These fishmongers run independent operations: there is no formal co-op or other trade organisation under which they jointly manage their affairs. When the Katwe catch is poor, especially during the December to March period, many of the traders move to other landings. Fish prices fluctuate depending on the catch and availability of substitutes, namely beans and groundnuts. Current average per kg prices (UShs) at the landing were reported as follows: tilapia 110/=, Clarias 175/=, Barbus 130/=, and Bagrus and Protopterus 115/=. Fresh fish is mainly marketed around the Bwera and Kasese areas. Loads of fish are taken to market by pick-up truck or on the back of bicycles. Three and sometimes four pick-ups make the daily market runs from the landing, and at least 30 traders have their own bicycles.

There are 6 smoking kilns at the landing, of which 4 are said to be operational. Smoking is however quite minimal at Katwe since road connections are good and demand for fresh product high in the adjacent areas. The main species processed are tilapia and Bagrus.

3.2 Kayanja

Kayanja Landing is situated in Kayanja Parish, Bukonjo County, Kasese District. It is a permanent gazetted landing which has been in operation since 1962. The Fisheries Department staff consist of one AFDO and one FA. Fresh fish is landed between 0800 and 1100h.

The landing is served by a good access road which extends 4 km to connect with the road between Katwe and Bwera. There are no boat landing or fish selling/cleaning facilities. A few stalls sell basic provisions, but the overall availability of consumer items is quite limited. The only petrol pump in the village is out of operation. Some gear and boat maintenance services can be contracted, though inputs and spares are difficult to obtain. Other than a primary school, Kayanja has little to offer in the way of public services. Housing, sanitation, and medical facilities are very poor.

A population of around 1200 people is distributed amongst some 320 households. Virtually everyone depends on fishing for their livelihood. Petty retail trade offers the only alternative source of income. There are about 70 fishermen in all, and they have formed a Committee to represent their interests. Migration of fishermen in and out of the community is said to be common.

A total of 26 canoes are officially registered at the landing. These include 15 gillnetters, 4 longliners, and 3 which are out of commission. The remaining 4 boats are motor powered and serve mainly as transport craft. Joint ownership of fishing units is not common but there are a few cases of absentee ownership of boats. An average of 25 nets of 4.5"–5" (stretched) mesh size are used by the gillnet units. The average catch per day for the landing is 600 kg, consisting of tilapia, Bagrus and Barbus. Most of the catch is sold fresh to traders who deal at markets in Bwera, Mpondwe, Kiryamaseke, and Kajwenge. Fishmongers either hire the services of the two pick-ups that normally make runs to and from the landing, or rely on bicycles for transport. Approximately 20 of the traders have their own bicycles.

There are no facilities for fish smoking at Kayanja. Seven racks were seen being used for sun-drying, mainly to serve the Zaire market. No processed fish storage facilities are available.

3.3 Katunguru/Kasese

This landing is situated mid-way along the Kazinga Channel on the northern bank, directly across from its twin on the southern bank, Katunguru/Bushenyi. The two landings are linked by a bridge which carries the main Mbarara-Kasese road across the Channel at this point.

Katunguru/Kasese is part of Katunguru Parish of Busongora County, Kasese District. It is a permanent gazetted landing which started in the early 1950s, and has developed in association with the trading centre which lies just above and to the north. There is one FA stationed at the landing, which is most active between 0700 and 1000h.

Supplies of fuel and provisions are available from shops in the trading centre. The centre also offers housing quarters, a primary school, a dispensary, and a few tearooms and bars. There are no facilities or amenities at the landing itself, though gear and boat maintenance services are obtainable. Fishing inputs are generally in scarce supply.

There are about 45 fishermen who work out of Katunguru/Kasese, of whom 14 are boat owners. Alternative sources of income are very restricted. A few fishermen also engage in petty retail trade. There appears to be no strong organisation of fishermen and there is no evidence of fisherman mobility.

The fishing boats are of the “dinghy” type. Three of the boats operate as longline units, fishing mainly on Protopterus, which appear to be abundant in the Channel. The other units are gillnetters, and carry an average of 20 nets each (4.5" – 5" stretched mesh size).

About 30 fishmongers (22 women and 8 men) buy fish from this landing. Prices for fresh fish vary with catch abundance and were reported to be ranging around UShs 80/kg for tilapia, 100/kg for Protopterus, and 120/kg for Bagrus at the time of visit. Fish is also commonly sold in processed form. Processing takes place within the trading centre, where 12 frying units and 11 smoking kilns can be found. Protopterus and tilapia are the main species which are fried, and these products are said to have a good market in the Kabale area. The other major distant market for fish from this landing is Kasese, which is supplied daily with one pick-up load. Bicycles are used to carry fish to smaller local markets. As the site is adjacent to the main Mbarara-Kasese road, there is also a good trade with the drivers and passengers of vehicles which happen to be passing by.

3.4 Katunguru/Bushenyi

Katunguru/Bushenyi is in Kazinga Parish, Katunguru County, Bushenyi District. Like its double on the other side of the Channel, Katunguru/Bushenyi was started in the early 1950s and is now a permanent and gazetted landing. One Fisheries Scout is posted here to monitor the catches, which are usually landed in the morning between 0700 and 0900h.

The situation on the southern Bushenyi side of the Channel is basically the same as on the northern Kasese side. There are no on-shore facilities at the landing proper, and fuel and provisions can be had from a trading centre which lies back along the main road. Those who use the landing live in and around the trading centre rather than directly at the site itself. Fishing and small-scale retail trade are the only income-generating activities to speak of.

The Bushenyi side hosts a somewhat larger number of fishermen and boats. There are about 60 fishermen in total, and they have formed themselves into an association with a Chairman to act as spokesman. There are 30 boats licensed for the landing, of which 2 have transferred to other landings. Most of the fishing units are gillnetters, carrying an average of about 20 nets per boat. Several longliners are also in operation, with gear assemblies typically consisting of 200 hooks.

Fish is bought from Katunguru/Bushenyi by about 20 bicycle traders who deliver to the markets of Maliba, Kyesinga and Rugazi. There is no smoking or frying done on the southern side, but processors from the Kasese side frequently come across to purchase fish for frying. There is in addition a fair passing trade from the vehicles going up and down the main road. Fresh fish prices were noted to be somewhat lower than on the Kasese side. Tilapia were selling for UShs 60/kg and Protopterus for UShs 75/kg. Some Clarias were also in evidence, with a price of UShs 70/kg.

3.5 Kasenyi

Kasenyi is situated in Kasenyi Parish, Busongora Country, Kasese District. One AFDO and two FAs man the Fisheries Office at this permanent gazetted landing which reportedly was started in the late 1940s. Boat landing activities take place here between 1100 and 1700h.

There is a good access track leading from the Mbarara-Kasese road to Lake George and Kasenyi, but other infrastructural features are rather limited. There are no facilities for boat landing and fish cleaning and handling is done in the open. Basic provisions can be purchased in a number of village shops, and services for simple maintenance and boat repair jobs can be contracted. There is however no regular dealer in gear or fuel. Housing and sanitary facilities are present and there is a dispensary, a private clinic, and one primary school.

There are 200 fishermen of whom 36 are boat owners. Nine of the boat owners were reported to be women, though it is likely that some of them are actually serving as managers for units on behalf of husbands working elsewhere. As in the other Park enclave fishing villages of the region, alternative income sources are virtually nonexistant. A few fishermen also engage in salt winning at the nearby mineral lake, or try their hand at petty trade. There are no joint business organisations here but the fishermen have formed a committee which co-ordinates their activities. Migration of fishermen is not significant; only 3 boats have been transferred out and one transferred in over the last few years.

The 36 boats officially registered at Kasenyi are of the “dinghy” type. They are operated mainly with gill nets, except 2 which use longlines. The average catch per boat per day is 50 kg of fish, consisting of tilapia, Bagrus, Protopterus and Clarias. Crews average 3 per boat and around 15 nets are carried per unit.

Fresh fish prices recorded during the visit were UShs 65/kg for tilapia and UShs 100/kg for both Bagrus and Clarias. Much of the catch landed at Kasenyi is processed through smoking. There are 8 kilns set up for this purpose. The smoked products are reportedly sold mostly in Kasese. Loads are bulked to await transport by pick-up, which traders must hire. Bicycle traders move from the landing with smaller consignments of both fresh and processed fish.

3.6 Kashaka

Kashaka (Kashaka Parish, Bunyaruguru County, Bushenyi District) is a permanent though ungazetted landing which has been in operation since early 1950s. One AFDO and one FA look after the Fisheries Office here. Fish landing takes place throughout the day.

The site lacks any pier construction or fish selling facilities and its 22 km long access road is in an extremely bad state. Supplies of gear and fuel are not readily available but there are shops selling simple provisions. Gear and boat maintenance services can be contracted if need be.

According to available information, which may be somewhat dated, Kashaka Village has an estimated 700 residents, divided into about 210 households. There are about 42 fishermen of whom 27 are boat owners, including 4 women. There is a fishermen's association but no form of collective business venture seems to operate. Alternative sources of income to fishing are limited to petty trade and shop keeping. Mobility is low, with only 2 boats reported to have been transferred away during the last year and one transferred in from another landing. About 10 fishermen moved out of fishing into other activities during the same period.

There are 28 officially licensed boats for this landing, mainly of the “dinghy” type. Gillnetters operate with around 20 nets of the 4.5"–5" (stretched) mesh size. Longliners use rigs made up of 100–150 hooks. Fishing units usually comprise two crew. Average catch per boat per day is 34 kgs, consisting of tilapia, Bagrus, Protopterus, Clarias and some Barbus.

At the time of visit 7 fishmongers were reported to be operating in and out of the village on bicycles, each buying a load of about 40 kgs per trip of fresh fish for transport to Katerera (16 km distant) and other local markets. Recent average prices for fresh product were reported to be UShs 110/kg for tilapia, 70/kg for Protopterus, and 100/kg for Bagrus. Prices fluctuate with the weather, falling during the wet months of March-May and September-December.

The balance of the catch is bought up by fish smokers. There are 6 pit kilns each with a capacity to smoke about 250 kgs of tilapia in one firing. Kilns are operated by up to 6 workers, who are often members of the same family. Fuelwood supplies are transported across from the opposite shore of Lake George (outside of the Park) or brought in by road. In the latter case, costs run to UShs 7000/- per tractor trailer load plus an additional UShs 5000/- for the tractor transport hire. One trailer load can process about 6 tonnes of fish. The smoked product is marketed in Kisoro, Bwera, and Bunyaruguru. Delivery is chiefly via the Kazinga Channel to Katunguru. Transport boats stop over twice a week to collect loads of smoked fish. Alternatively, a processor can arrange to hire a pick-up after a sufficient load has been bulked. Constraints to fish processing include high costs of firewood, transport and high income tax.

3.7 Rwenshama

Rwenshama is a permanent gazetted landing situated in Rwenshama Parish, Bwambara Sub-County, Kingizi County, Rukungiri District. It has been operating since 1954. Peak activity is from 1000 to 1200h. Fisheries staff include one AFDO and 3 FAs.

A basic problem with the landing is its remote location. It is the southernmost official landing on the Uganda side of Lake Edward and can be reached overland only through rather long and rough journey along Park tracks. These latter can become impassible during wet seasons. The alternative way of reaching the settlement is via canoe over the lake from Katwe and other points. Because of the difficulties of access, supplies of basic commodities can sometimes run short in Rwenshama. The problem is particularly serious in relation to fishing inputs and fuel. The only petrol pump in the village has not operated for the past 6 months since stock deliveries were stopped because of the poor state of the roads. Maintenance services for boats and gear are possible to arrange at the landing.

The village is a large one, said to consist of well over 480 households and shops. There is a primary school, a dispensary, and one recreation/social hall belonging to the Rwenshama Fishing Co. Ltd. The landing site itself has not been developed in any way. There are no provisions for offloading or handling of catches. The only structure is a papyrus reed shade under which items like cigarettes and snacks are sold by a few women traders. Approximately 400 fishermen operate from this site, out of whom 56 are registered boat owners. Five of the latter are women. Alternative income activities are limited but about 4 fishermen are also shopkeepers and 3 are transporters. All the boat owners operate under the Rwenshama Fishing Company as shareholders. Mobility of fishermen is common. Sixteen boats have been transferred in from Katwe, Kishenyi, and Kazinga either in search of better catches or because their owners own properties here. Twenty fishermen have temporarily moved out of fishing into other activities because they have lost their nets.

Only around half of the registered boats were reported to be operational at the time of visit. Almost all craft are of the Ssese design. Only one is equipped with a working outboard engine. Four of the fishing units are longliners, and operate with rigs of about 100 hooks. The other units are gillnetters which each work a fleet of around 10 nets of 5" (stretched) mesh size. The species landed include tilapia, Bagrus, Protopterus, Clarias, and Barbus.

About 25–30 fishmongers are said to do a regular business out of Rwenshama, delivering consignments of both fresh and processed products to various regional markets. Prices are sensitive to catch levels and the transport situation. Heavy rains bring transport bottlenecks and thus depress prices. Recent average prices for fresh fish were recorded as follows: tilapia, UShs 80/kg; Bagrus, UShs 80/kg; Barbus, UShs 100/kg; Protopterus, UShs 90/kg; and Clarias, UShs 100/kg.

Some 30 individuals including 3 women are engaged in fish processing. During the visit 10 smoking kilns were counted, out of which 6 were in operation. The others were standing idle due to a lack of fish. During peak catch periods, however, the existing kilns are not sufficient to handle all the fish available. Three bundles of firewood, estimated at a total cost of UShs 900/-, are needed to smoke 150 kg of fish (tilapia). Three workers, mainly family members, are utilised at each kiln. The smoked products are marketed at Kabale, Butogota, Kihihi, Bikurungu, and Rukungiri. The Rwenshama selling price for smoked tilapia is UShs 60/= per fish.

In addition to the kilns, there are several frying and salting/sun-drying units in operation. The frying units can handle about 50 kgs of Protopterus and tilapia per day. Each unit is operated by two workers and the fried product is marketed in Kabale and Rukungiri. The salting/sun-drying units can process about 100 kg of fish per day. The product is mainly tilapia destined for the border post at Ishasha where it is directed to markets in Zaire.

Rwenshama traders and processors depend on both motor vehicles and bicycles to transport their fish to local markets. Several lorries and pick-ups make weekly trips in and out of the landing, road conditions permitting. An additional hazard faced by vehicle operators is that of armed robbery on the Rukungiri road. Several incidents have been reported. One pick-up is reported to make regular runs to Rukungiri with fresh fish. There are about 20 or so bicycle traders who also deal in fresh fish. They each carry around 30 kg per trip, reaching markets in Bikurungu, Bwambara and Kanbuga.

4. PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS NOTED

It was remarked that the fisherfolk and fisheries staff of the Kichwamba Region are faced with a number of problems and constraints. Some of these pose quite serious impediments to the successful operation of the fishery and the improvement of community welfare.

Most of the fishing villages along Lakes Edward and George and the Kazinga Channel lie within the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth National Park and thus are subject to a very restrictive set of conditions. Fishing provides about the only means of livelihood and there is little opportunity to diversify income generating activities. Farming and livestock rearing are discouraged by Park authorities, as indeed they discourage virtually all forms of land development and exploitation within QENP boundaries. A probable long-term and indirect effect of these restrictions is that many residents relate to the villages along very narrow lines, seeing them merely as places to work and make money. “Permanent” or “real” homes and farms are if possible maintained elsewhere. It is towards these latter that people would prefer to funnel their energies and resources for projects of personal and community improvement. Further enquiry is necessary on this question, but it would seem to have a strong bearing on the poor level of social welfare development within the villages.

Several of the landing sites are in very remote locations, and access over the Park tracks is difficult. There are thus problems with evacuating the catches. When there is no immediate way of delivering fresh fish to outside markets, fisherfolk must process them in some way, usually through smoking or frying. These methods require large and regular supplies of fuelwood. As cutting of wood inside the Park is illegal, such supplies must be imported from outside areas, thereby adding considerably to the cost of catch processing. Processors also complain about excessive income tax liabilities.

Since transport is not always available or might fail due to poor road conditions, consignments of processed fish often have to be bulked until delivery arrangements can be made. Adequate storage facilities are lacking in most places, however. Many processors simply keep their finished products in the smoking kilns until they can be shipped out; others use fish stores which are totally inadequate due to roof leakage and insect infestation.

For the harvest sector directly, there are widespread problems of net theft, input and spare part shortages (nets, fuel, timber, engine fittings, etc.), and inadequate and unsanitary landing facilities. Fishermen also feel greatly disadvantaged at the high level of income tax which they are assessed, claiming that it severely curtails their ability to invest in new productive equipment.

Finally, Fisheries Department staff assigned to the various landings are faced with many difficulties which limit the effectiveness of their work. Several of the sites are understaffed in relation to their size and level of activity. In nearly all cases adequate working station facilities are lacking (e.g. shaded weighing areas, office space, basic equipment and supplies such as scales and stationery). To add to an already frustrating set of conditions, staff housing accomodation is generally poor and in some instances totally lacking; communications with the Regional Office at Kichwamba are extremely difficult to manage from the more remote villages; and in a number of cases reported there is no regular payment of allowances.