Butaleja, (UG):- President Yoweri Museveni, who also serves as the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Saturday wrapped up the second day of his wealth creation tour in the Bukedi subregion today with a rallying call to local leaders to embrace government programmes and be champions of economic in their communities.
The President, who yesterday (Friday November 8th) visited various model farmers in Kibuku, today convened a meeting with district leaders from across Bukedi at Butaleja District Headquarters aiming to equip them with knowledge on wealth creation strategies while also gathering their insights.
The session began with reports from ministers representing different government departments. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health, highlighted significant achievements in the health sector, noting that health centers in Bukedi are now well-stocked with medicines and vaccines, and that several health center IVs have been upgraded to community hospitals.
Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education, reported on the education sector, revealing an increase in student enrollment from 8 million in 2020 to 12 million in 2024.
While addressing the leaders on the afternoon, President Museveni emphasized the importance of the wealth creation campaign, expressing satisfaction with the progress observed among farmers during his visits. He noted that the government’s Parish Development model (PDM) is proving effective.
The president urged local leaders to advise their constituents on optimal crop choices to minimize losses and combat hunger. He pointed out that farmers currently earning 3 million Ugandan shillings per acre of rice annually is insufficient given their investment. He encouraged the adoption of fish farming in wetlands, which has shown greater profitability.
On the implementation of government programmes, President Museveni said; “The PDM and Emyooga are doing well. I have seen some of the farmers who I have visited and they are doing well. Most of them had never earned 1 million in their lives until NRM introduced these programs. That’s why some of them have been duped by money lenders and end up selling their land. With PDM, people can now access money. We are going to continue injecting money into PDM and Emyooga”
“The state house comptroller is planning to establish SACCOS per district, which will consist of all Presidential Hubs’ skilled graduates. I am giving her money to purchase equipment for these young people after they have acquired the necessary knowledge. She has already presented the concept to me,” the President added emphasizing that the Saccos will focus on empowering the skilled youth with equipment.
Mr Museveni pledged to increase funding for the PDM to enhance its impact and announced that, through local Members of Parliament, farmers will receive coffee seedlings to boost production. He however castigated d against the practice of land fragmentation and advised that instead, the four acre model of agriculture is a good practice to adopt.
“The concept of dividing family land is highly detrimental and should not be practiced. This is because, once the land is divided, it may no longer be suitable for agricultural purposes due to conflicting ideas and opinions among beneficiaries. This is a common scenario where a wealthy man loses his wealth after his death due to land division,” he said.
The President will tomorrow conclude the Bukedi Region tour with the launch of the zonal industrial hub and later a public rally in Pallisa tomorrow, with full focus on wealth creation for the Bazzukulu.
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