Kibuku, (UG):- In the heart of Kibuku District, in eastern Uganda’s Bukedi region, a significant change was brewing. The day before marked the first day of President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s much-anticipated Parish Development Model (PDM) tour, a journey aimed at uplifting communities and transforming lives.
The President’s first stop was at the home of Nabutono Florence, a dedicated farmer and the local LC I chairperson of Bukoda Zone in Kasasira Sub County. As the sun rose, Florence prepared to welcome the President, her heart filled with hope and gratitude.
She had been one of the beneficiaries of the PDM initiative, having received UGX 980,000 to kickstart her farming journey. With UGX 700,000, she purchased two pigs; a boar and a sow. These pigs multiplied, and their offspring provided a steady income, allowing her to pay school fees for her children and sustain her growing piggery business.
When President Museveni arrived, the atmosphere was electric. Florence stood proudly before him, her voice unwavering as she thanked him for the PDM initiative. “This program is helping many of us rise from poverty,” she said, her eyes shining with determination.
However, not all was easy. As she spoke to the President, Florence shared her struggles. “I faced challenges in producing feeds for both my pigs and turkeys,” she admitted, her brow furrowed with concern. She pleaded for assistance in acquiring machinery to manufacture animal feeds and expressed her desire to expand into dairy farming, referencing a nearby dairy plant at Buseta.
President Museveni listened intently, nodding as she spoke. He reminded everyone present that poverty is often rooted in ignorance. “There is no poverty in Uganda,” he declared passionately. “What we must fight is the mindset that holds us back.”
Moved by her words, the President decided to take action. “Florence, I am giving you UGX 10 million to invest in two in-calf heifers,” he announced, a smile breaking across his face. Each heifer, valued at UGX 4 million, would enhance her dairy farming venture and ensure a brighter future for her family.
“Use at least UGX 1 million to buy new iron sheets and reroof your pigs’ and turkeys’ sheds,” he added, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and productive environment for her livestock.
The President also turned to Vice President Jesca Alupo and local leaders, tasking them with addressing the need for animal feed manufacturing machines in the district.
Together with Hon. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, and Hon. Hajji Muhammad Nakeba, the LC V Chairperson of Kibuku District, they agreed to establish four feed processing machines across the district, ensuring that farmers like Florence could thrive.
As the day unfolded, the President visited other farmers in the region, spreading hope and encouragement. This tour is set to last until Sunday, with plans for Saturday for the President to meet with media owners and editors in the Bukedi region, followed by a meeting with local leaders.
On Sunday, the President scheduled to officially commission the Bukedi Zonal Industrial Hub in Tirinyi and conclude the tour with a rally at Kamuge Playground in Pallisa, addressing his constituents and sharing his vision for a prosperous Uganda.
Florence’s story was just one of many that exemplified the transformative power of the PDM initiative. With the President’s support and the community’s determination, Bukoda Zone was not just a place on the map it was a beacon of hope, resilience, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
