By Rosemary Tukundane
Finger millet is one of the most traditional grains in Uganda, where farmers have been cultivating it for thousands of years.
It is the second most important cereal in Uganda after maize. Its production is concentrated in East, North and Southwest of the country. Its local names is obulo in central, oburo in the west, akuma in Ateso and kal in the North.
Finger millet is mostly grown in districts of Apac, Oyam, Lira, Gulu, kitgum, Iganga, Kamuli, Soroti, Tororo, Kumi, Serere and Amuria , the cereal crop takes roughly six months to mature.
Owomugisha Daniel a mixed farmer married and a father of 4 from Lubale town Ntungamo district said that growing other cereals on his farm brings money into his pocket but millet has much more unique values like social, economic and traditional benefits than any other cereal grown in Uganda.
Traditional benefits
Owomugisha added that millet is rich in methionine, amino acid known to be lacking in a number of staple diets in the country, it serves not only as a staple food but is also important source of income for rural women who process it and turn it into fermented and non-fermented beverages.
‘’The cereal crop can be kept and survive for two years after harvest , when harvesting the crop, make sure that it is harvested together with its stem called ekyisisha in Ankole, this creates chance for the cereal to survive for long than any other crop making it an abandoned food for food security,’’ he continued
‘’Finger millet is a source of oburo[ food] and bushera or ekitibita[ finger millet porridge] mostly taken by banyankole and Rwandie women known for making water and creating chance for women from the two tribes more preferred by men, praising them for being great in bed,’’ Owomugisha added
‘’Finger millet stem [embuba] is colored and used to make baskets used for traditional weddings in Ankole . The sister in-law and paternal aunt gift the bride with the beautifully made basket for cultural rituals, ‘’ Owomugisha said
Owomugisha added that millet is wrapped in banana fiber and given out to the woman’s family for kuhingira by the man’s family. This is done as a sign of togetherness and appreciation for becoming one family in Ankole.
‘’Karo [finger millet food] is made by a bride for her in-laws to prove that she was brought up well by her parents, ‘’ he said
He added that for the art industry, millet is used as a design by artists and art students in high to make beautiful pieces and some sell them out to earn a living.
