President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday, November 10th, 2024, ended his mobilization tour of the Bukedi Sub region with strict calls to the area leaders and residents to jointly prioritize wealth creation activities.
While addressing a mammoth crowd held at Kamuge Grounds in Pallisa district, President Museveni emphasized the government’s commitment to continue providing more money to residents under the Parish Development Model program to empower all wealth creation activities.
He encouraged every household in the region to emulate the good practices of one PDM beneficiary in Bukoda Zone Kasasira Town Council Kibuku District. President Museveni visited the farm of Loda Benedict and Nabutone Florence, who are engaged in both piggery and poultry keeping using the PDM money.
According to President Museveni, despite continued government intervention, the Bukedi region has an alarming poverty rate, something that he said can be resolved when every household gets practically involved in the wealth creation activities.
He noted that whereas the government is also focused on improving the road network and other infrastructure in the area, it will continue prioritizing initiatives that can get the region out of poverty.
Museveni introduced a model for small holder farming that he believes could transform the region and advocated for a “four-acre model” of farming, where one acre each is dedicated to coffee, fruits, animal fodder, and food crops, with additional space allocated for livestock farming or piggery.
Regarding wetland use, the president encouraged the communities living near wetlands to explore fish farming as an alternative source of income. .
At the same rally, more than 300 key opposition leaders from the Bukedi region defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) after abandoning their parties.
President Museveni’s tour of Bukedi highlighted a strong call to action for local leaders and residents to harness the region’s resources and government programs to create wealth and improve livelihoods.
These can be achieved by focusing on agricultural diversification, local industries, and financial empowerment through initiatives like the PDM, and the President believes that Bukedi has the potential to overcome its poverty challenges and achieve long-term prosperity.
Early in the day, President Museveni officially launched the Bukedi regional Presidential Skilling Hub in Kibuku district where over 200 youth are being trained on various vocational skills.