By Emmanuel Okol
KATAKWI
In order to improve on household incomes and to be exemplary, the President of the republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has pledged to donate 41 dairy animals to Ktakwi district councilors.
Addressing a public rally at the Vice President Rtd Maj Jesica Rose Alupo Epel farm’s on Monday 18-11-2024, President Museveni, who was starting a three-day wealth creation tour of the sub-region, emphasised the importance of adopting new agricultural enterprises to fight poverty.
The President urged the people of Teso to utilise their land in order to achieve economic prosperity through growing fruits, and engaging in fish and dairy farming.
President Museveni has called on residents of Teso Sub-region to shift from rice cultivation to more lucrative enterprises such as growing fruits, fish and dairy farming as part of efforts to combat household poverty.
The President said Katakwi district is blessed with fertile land, which offers opportunities for investment and wealth creation in the agricultural sector.
“My daughter Alupo has been asking me to support councilors and she was advocating for dairy farming for so long. The councilors should not continue sitting behind but they’ve to be an example of poverty eradication in the community,” Mr Museveni, said.
He highlighted the success of the PDM, mentioning that many farmers had made significant earnings by rearing pigs, ducks, and turkeys.
He said beneficiaries are expected to repay the funds within 24 months, allowing the government to continue disbursing funds to other parishes.
On other hand, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda Alupo shared her experience towards commercial farming which is generating her some money.
Alupo who is practicing Banana, aqua-culture, piggery, Layer chicken and dairy farming thanked the President for the knowledge he imparted on to her.
“As a family of Nine people, they managed to get 4000 chicken layers which produce 120 trays per day,” Alupo said.
Alupo urged the people of Katakwi, Teso and Uganda at large to utilize their land in order to achieve economic prosperity in their households.
Bernard Simon Opended, Rtd teacher as well as prominent farmer in Magoro Sub County in Katakwi district, says there is misuse and underutilization of fertile land in this region.
He argued that if the region wants to leave poverty, they must plan and begin commercial farming i.e. growing of crops and rearing of animals.
Stephen Ilemukorit, the former chairman Katakwi district and one of the farmers in the district in his submission thanked the Vice President and president Museveni for the good incentive towards changing the local person
Leaders say
Mr Bosco Okiror, the Usuk County South MP, chairman of the Teso parliamentary group, called on the government to provide instant markets for agricultural produce and set a good standard of selling goods.
“At this time, farmers in the Teso region are now stuck with cassava in their gardens; there is no market. The government should source for a market within and set up a factory for cassava production in the region,” he said.
The Katakwi District chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Omolo, said the sub-region transformation plan will help to change the locals to a middle-class income society.
Omolo urges the local leaders to continue sensitizing the community over poverty eradication in order to change the household of individuals.
