Hon Alice Kaboyo, the state minister for Luwero-Rwenzori, has touted the potential of the Busoga sub-region to transform from the stereotypical backwardness to a fully developed area that it used to be.
“The notion that Busoga is a backward and poor region should be a thing of the past. The region has six ministers in cabinet including (Deputy) Prime Ministers and key leaders,” Kaboyo remarked on Thursday.
“Busoga used to be self-sustaining, and it needs to get back to where it was. The business of having women go to work while the men go to drink needs to stop.”
Minister Kaboyo made these remarks while handing over 52,746 handhoes to be distributed to farmers in the sub-region.
The hoes were procured by the Ministry at a cost of Shs. 580,206,000.
Speaking at the event held at the Jinja District Headquarters in Jinja City, the minister said handholes are still relevant to households that farm on small plots of land.
“Some people have been saying that we should be bringing hand tractors, but how many can we buy? Besides, they are very labour-intensive,” she said.
Mr Elijah Kagoda, the Kaliiro District Chairman, also reiterated how farmers in Busoga need simple farming tools.
“Predominantly here, people (about 80%) are engaged in agriculture, and many of them are energetic youth. Because they don’t have these tools, they end up coming to the urban centres. That is why we appreciate this kind of support,” he said.
Minister Kaboyo, in her remarks, demanded a transparent distribution of the hoes to the people who need them most.
“I want only straight and transparent programs. It is not much, but whatever comes, let it go where it is most needed,” she said.
Walyomu Muwanika Moses, the MP Kagoma County in Bugiri, thanked the Ministry of Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle for the work they are doing.
“This is the only ministry where Busoga has benefitted,” he said.
” What I can assure Hon. Minister, is that we shall support you in Parliament so that the government can increase the Busoga Affairs Budget since your ministry covers Busoga.”
Bunya South MP and Chairperson Busoga Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. Iddi Isabirye commended the Luwero-Rwenzori Ministry for the timely intervention.
“This is what we need because the big tractors can not be everywhere. If a sub-county gets a tractor, it can not serve everyone. Hand hoes are the primary source of wealth for people, especially those who did not chance on formal education,” said the MP.
The hand hoes are part of the affirmative interventions that the Luwero-Rwenzori ministry has over the years extended to the Busoga sub-region.
These include the Parish Community Associations (PCAs), a community-driven development model of delivering development support to communities through parish level associations of Self Help Groups (SHGs). Shs 8.9Billion Micro Projects (FYs, 2022/23) is another initiative that has supported groups in the sub-region to the tune of Shs 511 billion.
The ministry has also supported the construction of 2 classroom blocks in the three primary schools of Namayemba in Bugiri District, Bwondha in Mayuge District and Nababirye in Kamuli District at a total cost of UGX 840,000,000- (eight hundred forty million shillings).
Locals have also benefitted from 9,468 iron sheets, which supported education and religious institutions that need them.
Meanwhile, Minister Kaboyo rallied the leaders in Busoga to step up their environmental protection efforts.
She decried the worsening encroachment on wetlands and clearing of forests, which she said has contributed to devastating natural disasters.
Hon. Alice also encouraged Busoga people to engage in palm oil growing since most of their land is near the lake. Oil palm trees grow best in wet areas. Last month,
I visited Kalangala Island, where they rely mainly on oil palm farming for household and commercial income.
Palm oil is currently the foundation of Kalangala’s wealth. Kalangala people began small, and now they are making a lot of money. Kalangala palm oil growers have been supported by the government, and this is one of the governments projects that is doing so well. Let’s organise and take a trip so that we can learn something
