A group of youths categorized as “Museveni’s Bazzukulu” last Sunday (May 22nd) paid a courtesy visit to Ms, Joan Kakwenzire, a senior presidential advisor and Head of Poverty Alleviation Department (PAD), and had an extensive workshop lecture on how to fight against poverty and become champions of changing lifestyles within their communities.
Led by Chief Muzzukulu Ms. Carol Kembabazi who is also an assistant private press secretary to the President, the bazzukulu ba Museveni youths visited Ms. Kakwenzire’s Atamba Demonstration Farm in Mukono-Mwanyangiri where they had a share of how she transformed the once bushy area into a hub of knowledge, research, and an agro-processing center.
The tour
During the tour, Ms. Kakwenzire explained that the Atamba Farm which she acquired in 2004 has been transformed from once a bushy area for monkeys to an extensive field where she practices almost everything in farming and also has her retirement home.
She highlighted that due to her resilience and determination, the farm to date not only does crop production but also has grown into a study research center with an indoor industry producing one of Mukono’s finest wines.
Ms. Kakwenzire implored the bazzukulu to ‘never stop dreaming big but start small,’ as it is a gradual process to achieve success and cautioned them against finding the quickest means to amassing wealth.
The farm which has stayed for over 20 years now has facilities/departments such as; a 4-acre maize plantation (on 2 acres), pigsty (with over 300 pigs), cattle farm (with over 20 cattle) poultry farm (with over 300 chicken) among others.
Success Story
Mr. Bonny Nkomati one of the beneficiaries of the PAD Initiative highlighted that ever since he acquired a kickstarted kit from Ms. Kakwenzire, his life has improved, and he is now able to feed his family, teach the children and also live a lavish lifestyle that suits his standard.
“I started with three pigs, and when they gave birth, I transferred the three piglets to another person as the scheme works, and that was the beginning of my better lifestyle. I am now able to pay for my children’s school fees, and also meet the basic needs of life,” Mr. Nkomati said, adding that the status of his lifestyle has even made him assume the responsibility of being the chairman of Mwanyangiri village.
On behalf of the Bazzukulu group, Mr. Masuumi Juma who represented the Eastern region gave a vote of thanks to the team and appreciated Ms. Kakwenzire for the wonderful gesture to host the family and challenged fellow bazzukulu to use their platforms on social media to disseminate the information about such success stories of government programs.
He also asked them to go back and put into practice what they have learned from the tour, but proposed that through the presidential advisor, government would find it more worthy to teach the public about such programs and how they work as this would be a kickstart on fighting against the virus called poverty in the country.
Other Photos from the Sunday Visit
The tour ended with a mega buffet courtesy of Ms. Kakwenzire at Detim Hotel in Mbalala – Mukono, where the bazzukulu had a sumptuous enjoyment of the delicious meal, and that summed up the Sunday mega tour.
Background of the Poverty Alleviation Department (PAD)
Established in 2003 and launched in 2004 by H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the objectives of the PAD initiative include; promoting food security, Increasing household incomes (home improvement), establishing demonstration farms, model parishes, and agricultural production zones among others.
PAD has since birthed the Bonna Bagaggawale, Operation Wealth Creation, and most recently the Parish Development Model, all schemes which have been invented to improve the income status of Ugandans.
Structure of the department
PAD is headed by Ms. Joan Kakwenzire at the top, and below her are regional coordinators; Ms. Joan Balemezi (in charge of the Central Region), Mrs. Felistus Magomu (Eastern), and Ms. Josephine Kiconco (Western).
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