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PRE-MEASURES TAKEN REGARDING THE DESSERT LOCUSTS IN UGANDA
Updating the public about progress against the Desert Locusts: Hon. Bright Rwamirama the Minister of State for Animal Industry has addressed the media alongside Mr. Antonio Querido the Country Representative for the FAO today.
Below is an excerpt of the status report.
State of Locust Invasion in Uganda:
1. Swarms of Locusts entered Uganda On February 9th, 2020 through Amudat and have now been sighted in 8 districts; Abim, Kabong, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Agago, Kole, Katakwi, Nabilatuk and there are reports of sightings in Lango, Acholi and West Nile sub-regions. The existing swarms have now been classified as mature locusts that may not have much longer to live after laying eggs
2. The swarms of locusts in Uganda continue to spread to other districts in the region and laying of eggs is expected to continue while other locust swarms are still invading Uganda from neighboring Kenya. It is worth noting that a female locust lays at least 300 eggs in one sitting and will lay eggs three times in its lifecycle. The nymphs and young Desert Locusts (mainly pink in colour) that will come after the first hatching are the most dangerous since they have high need for food.
3. The existing swarms have not caused significant damage to our vegetation cover; however, there is an eminent threat to food security following a possible outbreak.
4. The eminent threat caused by the locust invasion is to Food Security. Locusts are herbivorous and feed on green vegetation. This means that whereas human beings and animals may be safe, the crops and grasslands on the other hand are at risk and so is everything depending on them for their livelihoods. This is largely because a locust swarm feeds on 100-160 tons of vegetation per day.
5. Uganda has two major cropping seasons – March-June (Season A) and Sep-Dec (Season B) and this particular invasion is just after the last harvest and before the first cropping season. In the affected areas, vegetation, crops, grasslands and grain are vulnerable. The crops include; sorghum, cassava, sweet potato, maize and millet.
6. The locust swarms have been laying eggs and should these eggs hatch, Uganda may be faced with an Outbreak.
As a mitigation measure, Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture has adopted the following measures:
• Coordination of relevant stakeholders from the respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Development Partners and all other stakeholders.
• Enhanced Surveillance:
Surveillance teams working hand in hand with the support of the UPDF in the region are assessing the travelling patterns of the first swarm to construct maps of sites where the eggs have been laid.
This will enable the technical staff to survey and monitor the hotspots for any locust invasion.
While the spraying of the adult Desert Locusts is being carried out, these surveillance maps will be used to provide coordinates for the aircraft that will be used in the aerial spraying of the nymphs and immature locusts that will be hatched into the region in less than 2 weeks.
• Procurement of appropriate equipment: Leasing of aerial spraying aircraft has been finalized; Pesticides, Protective gear, motorized pumps and knapsacks sprays have been procured and dispatched to the affected areas
• Resource mobilization: Government has mobilized resources from its treasury and various Development Partners to facilitate its Desert Locust Control Plan and this is how it has been spent so far:
Total Received: UGX; 22 Billion (BN)
Allocation:
11.1 BN – Desert Locust Control Organization;
3.6 BN for Aircrafts leasing,
0.3BN for UPDF Operations
7BN – Chemicals, Logistics, Protective Gear, Pumps, Surveillance
• Sensitization and Awareness creation across different audiences: Through various community sensitization exercises, media interactions, policy maker engagements, public awareness on Desert Locusts has been heightened.
• Strengthening partnerships with development partners within the region: Uganda now has three Desert Locust Experts to backstop the Desert Locust Control activities.
• Capacity Building:
Capacity Building of Trainers of Trainers of 60 Technical staff who have in turn conducted; continuous training of extension officers on identification, reporting and response when locusts are sighted.
1000 UPDF Officers have been trained on ground spraying and the exercise is still ongoing.
The supporting experts from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the Desert Locust Control Organisation and National Agricultural Research Organisation are still in the region undertaking refresher training of extension workers and surveillance teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Districts in the region.
7.While some of the teams in the area may have been seen burning bushes and chasing the adult Desert Locusts, awareness creation teams from the District and Ministry of Agriculture have been expanded and are now reaching more people with the following sets of information:
a) The burning of bushes is hazardous to the environment in the area
b) Chasing the adult Desert Locusts can make it more difficult for the Control Teams to fight them in massive swarms since they can easily separate into more swarms. This makes all means, including aerial spraying more difficult.
8. The two aircrafts for aerial spraying will be in the country before the first hatching and will be loaded with the pesticide needed in the control of the Desert Locusts.
The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries pledges to keep the nation updated on the developments and progress made in the effort to avert a potential food crisis in the Country.
Ugandans should uplift from subsistence production
President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to all people and organisations working to promote trade and investment in Uganda to put more efforts towards uplifting the 68% of Uganda’s population who are still living the subsistence way of life so that they join money economy. He said that failure to do that would tantamount to all the country’s efforts towards promotion of trade, investment and industrialisation, not yielding meaningful results.
The President made the remarks while closing a two-day West Nile Investment Symposium 2019 at Muni University in Arua City in West Nile Sub-Region.
The symposium that run under the theme ‘Transformation of Africa’s Upper Nile Valley through Pan African Peace Building and Holistic Development’ was organised by the Department of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) in partnership with the Uganda Investment Authority and Muni University, among others.
President Museveni said that to meaningfully promote trade, investment and industrial growth in Uganda, there is need to work to bring the majority 68% of the country’s population who are in subsistence farming into commercial farming and be part of the modern capital economy.
He added that this big fraction of the population are very important and if they join the money market they will be consumers who will not only boost the market but also equally be producers who will produce the much needed raw materials to sustain the industries.
“We can’t talk of attracting investment and industrialisation when the majority of Ugandans are still living in pre-capitalist economy and merely work for food. Even if you attract investors, if the country’s purchasing power is low, the factories will collapse because of lack of market,” he said.
“The United States of America has a purchasing power of 19 trillion US dollars with a population of 316 million people while the whole of Africa with 1.2 billion people has a purchasing power of 2.5 trillion dollars because the majority of Africans live a subsistence way of life and are never involved in the cash economy,” he explained.
“Getting the 68% of Ugandans into the money economy is crucial for us as a country but more so as leaders because leading people who have no money in a modern era, is criminal and a great betrayal to our people,” the President said.
The Museveni also expressed happiness that the West Nile Investment Symposium had put the need for market integration high on the agenda noting that integration was important because investors are always attracted by bigger market.
He said that to attract investment, Uganda must ensure that goods in the country are produced cheaply and are of the high quality. He added that to do that, the country must address the cost of transport, electricity and the interest rates on money. He equally noted that high taxes hinder investment adding that in case of Uganda most of the taxes are on consumption and luxuries and not on production.
Turning to health matters, he used the occasion to warn the people against shaking hands well knowing that the Ebola virus is still in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Gen. Moses Ali, commended the organisers of the symposium for enabling the world to understand the economic potential of the West Nile Region. He said that the region suffered due to political conflicts in that area and said that with the peace brought in by the Movement Government, the region had got a chance to develop. He asked the people of West Nile to jealously safeguard the peace and never allow them to return to the turbulent past.
State Minister for Northern Uganda, Hon. Kwiyucwiny Grace, said the symposium has helped to re-brand West Nile and Northern Uganda as a whole as well as marketing it to the world. She prayed that the region moves to reap a lot from the symposium. She also hailed the government PRDP programme that she noted had greatly uplifted the lives of the people of Northern Uganda especially in the sectors of Education, Health, infrastructure development and poverty eradication.
The President meets youth council
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met the executive leadership of the National Youth council at Dam waters, Old Boma Village, Jinja Municipality
During the meeting, I urged that while we must protect our cultural heritage from Western Influence we should change our mindset as citizens and choose to abandon the traditional methods of working for only the stomach (tic me cam keken, Okukorera enda yonka, aisoamakin akoik, okukolera ekidda kyonka, erikolera erirya riisa, okukolera olubuto lwoka).
The West doesn’t have spectacles to see the difference between a woman and a man. They are sick. The culture heritage must be maintained but others like our traditional subsistence methods that have claimed over 68% of the population, must be changed.
First, we need to improve our social discipline specifically by reducing our expenditure on luxuries, big parties, and the likes; if you don’t have money, what money do you spend in bars? You go to bars and they are full, you go to where they are roasting pigs and the places are full. This is social indiscipline and it is part of the problem we are facing. We can start by being economically parsimonious. The government is ready to support youth who will form Saccos to engage in productive activities.
Youth should know that when speaking to me, they are speaking to someone who was once a former youth. I was a youth but extraordinary youth, who was better than my elders at the time. I preached a change to modern methods of farming when people in Ankole still believed that commercial farming was only for the elite.
This is what I am asking of the youth today, start by changing your general attitude, then change that of the youth you lead. Even if it means sensitizing the people on change to the money economy through Twitter. I can also tweet and I will be there tweeting with you
The President lauds Makerere on integrated education
President Yoweri Museveni has applauded Makerere University academicians and scholars for embracing integrated education that focuses on research, innovation, value addition of products. He noted that this would in turn help to churn out people who are needed in the job market.
The President was speaking at the inaugural Makerere University Agricultural Week at Freedom Square in Makerere University. President Museveni who toured various exhibitions showcasing several value–added agricultural products and innovations, hailed the scholars for being inquisitive and thinking right to develop the nation.
“It is not the first time we have had educated people. We have had them since the 1950s. Even before the coming of Idi Amin, the innovation was not so much until the recent times. People now in the Faculty of Veterinary are starting leather technology, which really impressed me! One of the Professors has discovered the vaccine to kill the three types of ticks. This one is going to make Uganda one of the richest nations! Congratulations on your thinking. Africans in the past had abstained from thinking. Their job was to copy but here things have changed,” he said.
President Museveni advised the innovators to link their products to their heritage as it promotes uniqueness and captures the African culture. He reiterated that Makerere University must aim to be on top by focusing on modernizing Africa’s ancient knowledge.
“This business of being in fifth position cannot be allowed, Makerere should be in first position because this is an indigenous university. The government will do whatever it can to make sure Makerere is on top,” he vowed.
The President hailed Makerere University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe for encouraging students to prioritize research and innovation at the university instead of only theoretical courses.
“Normally people who are born in remote places turn out to be useful people. When I appointed the Vice-Chancellor recently, it was not easy to locate where he came from on the map. This man from a remote place has added value to Makerere University,” he noted.
President Museveni informed innovators that he would set up a conference with them in Entebbe mid next month to discuss how government can support each of their innovations.
State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John C. Muyingo, thanked President Museveni for his continued support and love to university education in the country. He noted that with what had been showcased at the exhibition, Makerere had transformed from an ivory tower to a center of innovation. He also thanked the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for recognizing the role of the youth in developing the backbone of the national economy saying it was time the young people pursued agriculture as a career.
The Vice-Chancellor Nawangwe thanked President Museveni for the continued support to the University project through the Presidential Initiative on Science, Technology and Innovation.
“Thank you for the 30 billion Uganda Shillings that you have injected in the project. Some of the things that you have seen in the exhibition are as a result of your support. We pledge our total commitment to use every penny to develop the University and the country,” he said.
Professor Nawangwe appealed to the President to consider supporting postgraduate students through a special loans’ scheme for them to which President Museveni promised to look into.
Makerere University Council Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara, noted that the exhibition showed that Makerere was steadily transitioning to research-led institution and contributing to agricultural development. She noted that the agricultural development program in the University sought to improve its agricultural output, food security and improve the agricultural value chain.
The President lauds Makerere on integrated education
President Yoweri Museveni has applauded Makerere University academicians and scholars for embracing integrated education that focuses on research, innovation, value addition of products. He noted that this would in turn help to churn out people who are needed in the job market.
The President was speaking at the inaugural Makerere University Agricultural Week at Freedom Square in Makerere University. President Museveni who toured various exhibitions showcasing several valueadded agricultural products and innovations, hailed the scholars for being inquisitive and thinking right to develop the nation.
It is not the first time we have had educated people. We have had them since the 1950s. Even before the coming of Idi Amin, the innovation was not so much until the recent times. People now in the Faculty of Veterinary are starting leather technology, which really impressed me! One of the Professors has discovered the vaccine to kill the three types of ticks. This one is going to make Uganda one of the richest nations! Congratulations on your thinking. Africans in the past had abstained from thinking. Their job was to copy but here things have changed, he said.
President Museveni advised the innovators to link their products to their heritage as it promotes uniqueness and captures the African culture. He reiterated that Makerere University must aim to be on top by focusing on modernizing Africas ancient knowledge.
This business of being in fifth position cannot be allowed, Makerere should be in first position because this is an indigenous university. The government will do whatever it can to make sure Makerere is on top, he vowed.
The President hailed Makerere University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe for encouraging students to prioritize research and innovation at the university instead of only theoretical courses.
Normally people who are born in remote places turn out to be useful people. When I appointed the Vice-Chancellor recently, it was not easy to locate where he came from on the map. This man from a remote place has added value to Makerere University, he noted.
President Museveni informed innovators that he would set up a conference with them in Entebbe mid next month to discuss how government can support each of their innovations.
State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John C. Muyingo, thanked President Museveni for his continued support and love to university education in the country. He noted that with what had been showcased at the exhibition, Makerere had transformed from an ivory tower to a center of innovation. He also thanked the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for recognizing the role of the youth in developing the backbone of the national economy saying it was time the young people pursued agriculture as a career.
The Vice-Chancellor Nawangwe thanked President Museveni for the continued support to the University project through the Presidential Initiative on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Thank you for the 30 billion Uganda Shillings that you have injected in the project. Some of the things that you have seen in the exhibition are as a result of your support. We pledge our total commitment to use every penny to develop the University and the country, he said.
Professor Nawangwe appealed to the President to consider supporting postgraduate students through a special loans scheme for them to which President Museveni promised to look into.
Makerere University Council Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara, noted that the exhibition showed that Makerere was steadily transitioning to research-led institution and contributing to agricultural development. She noted that the agricultural development program in the University sought to improve its agricultural output, food security and improve the agricultural value chain.
The President directs funds for approved technology innovations
President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning and that of Science, Technology and Innovation, to avail funds for the registration of tested and approved science and technology innovations that are a product of many years of research by the Food and Science Department and the Faculty of Veterinary Services of Makerere University
“The patent registration is very important for international recognition. It must be done immediately because these innovations are a gold mine to Uganda as the source of origin by trademark. The registration should be effective in the next financial year,” he said.
The President made the remarks during a consultative meeting with a group of Makerere University academicians, science and technology innovators from the Faculty of Veterinary, who we’re led by the Principal of the Veterinary College, Prof. Kabasa David.
The meeting that included the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations, Hon. Elioda Tumwesigye and the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Keith Muhakanizi, among others, discussed issues pertinent to science and technology innovations like fertility booster in animals, anti-tick vaccine, leather Technology and fish acquaponics, to mention but a few.
President Museveni explained to the meeting that registration was important because it is a way of recognizing the innovators’ efforts, efficiency and authenticity at international level as being independent of other innovators as well as avoiding theft of the technological achievements of Ugandans.
He added that the process of registration further increases capacity building and paves the way for government support to the innovations in education institutions.
“The innovations are here and real; tested in laboratories. There should be streamlined coordination by all the key players involved so that the processes are not paralyzed. I want to see the innovations taking off in much support without challenges, disruption or antagonizing policy and crediting individual innovators and the academic institutions they belong to in the country,” he stressed.
Science, Technology and Innovations Minister, Elioda Tumwesigye, revealed that his Ministry has been working with the Uganda Bureau of Standards to promote and boost innovations in the country adding that Government is effecting the registration of the said innovations on aspects of patent as intellectual property rights using Shs.10 billion that has been availed this year on top Shs.30 billion of cash reserves for science and technology innovations’ programs.
Treasury Secretary, Keith Muhakanizi, assured the meeting that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning will always be receptive to funding innovations.
H.E THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS WITH LEADERS AT HIS WEALTH CREATION TOUR IN WEST-NILE
There was a heated debate among leaders from West Nile, over land control arising from cultural and polygamy practices driving land fragmentation in the region. Women leaders particularly blamed the culture of polygamy where men allocate land to each woman and the most hardworking takes the biggest share. They said the only land that they share equally is the husbands land.
The debate followed President Yoweri Museveni plea to leaders to sensitize the people against land fragmentation saying it is shrinking land and negatively affecting production.
“Land fragmentation through property inheritance has become an alarmingly big problem. If you are a leader and you see your people are heading for disaster, then you need to come in and guide them. We need to sensitize our people against land fragmentation”,
The President is in West Nile Region as part of his national tours to promote the job and wealth creation campaign for improved incomes.
“I called for this meeting of local leaders from west Nile region in a big number to support the campaign of wealth and jobs creation and to ensure that you leaders reach the grassroots on land-use sensitization so that the situation does not deteriorate further,” he said.
At an interactive meeting held at UNSA Nebbi Town Secondary School grounds in Nebbi Municipality the leaders testimonies about challenges arising from land fragmentation. The average land holding now is two acres per family.
“I want you to support government s 4 acre plan where families can engage in Coffee, fruits, zero grazing (pasture), poultry, piggery and mushroom growing. These can also be solution to poverty because such agricultural activities can be done on limited space,” he said.
He urged the people of West Nile region to recommend forming family companies for every member of the family to benefit what comes out of the land in form of shares rather than sharing the land itself after the death of the head of the family.
“If women can share the other person, why cant they share what comes out of the land? Land productivity is shrinking. This is what prompted government to recommend a four-acre model of practicing modern and commercial agricultural activities, a shift from subsistence to commercial farming for profit to address the issue of wealth and jobs creation”, he said.
The meeting was attended among others by the First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, Cabinet Ministers, area MPs, traditional and political leaders from the districts of Zombo, Arua, Koboko, Nebbi, Pakwach, Yumbe and Maracha.
The First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali thanked the President for his personal responsibility to care for the people that he leads.
The Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Eng. Irene Muloni observed that the West Nile region is endowed with natural minerals resources including petroleum oil, hardworking people, with fertile soils who should harness such resources to address the poverty issue in a holistic approach.
The Minister for Northern Uganda Grace Kwiyucwiny challenged West Nile region people that poverty is disaster for everybody.
“How can the people of the region who are active, resilient, living on fertile soils live in poverty? Let us fight poverty together,” she said.
H.E THE PRESIDENT ASKS LANGO PEOPLE TO DO PRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL POLITICS
President Yoweri Museveni has said politics must lead to development and economic transformation in order for it to be meaningful to the people.
“Politics should not be barren, it must lead to development and transformation The Politics of NRM has produced development in Lango and the whole country,” he said.
The President was speaking at a public rally held in Abongo Rwot village, Agali Sub County in Lira District yesterday calling on the people to exploit the infrastructure to improve their livelihoods. The President is in Lango to promote his job and wealth creation campaign to improve household incomes.
“We should not have spectators in efforts to generate income. You must all join moneymaking efforts. When people are in the garden with hoes digging, you do not just stand there talking without doing anything. It is bad,” he said.
President Museveni noted that as much as government has provided good roads, electricity etc, we need incomes for our families to meet other requirements like health, education food etc.
“Even if we have good roads, you cant take a mattress there to sleep on it. Development is for all of us, but we need to use it to improve our households. People first need to search for house hold incomes then the rest of their needs would be solved,” he said.
He informed them that the people of Ankole sub region were previously engaged in subsistence agriculture that was not profitable but he was pleased to note that after a long time they listened and responded to his call to work through commercial farming for incomes and for food security.
He urged them to follow the 4 acres farming plan which is geared at maximizing income at the household level through proper enterprise selection and mix. He said households can engage in the growing of coffee, fruits, food crops and pasture for zero grazing and backyard farming through rearing of poultry for eggs and rearing pigs.
President Museveni said that the other sectors that support employment include small and large scale factories, services and ICT. He pledged the NRM Government commitment to start a new fund that would further boost income-generating efforts.
Later, the President acknowledged the request of the youth for him to sign an acceptance of being nominated as the sole NRM Presidential candidate for the 2021 elections. He assured the gathering that plans were underway to operationalise the construction of AkiiBua stadium.
As he was proceeding to Lira town, the President laid a foundation stone for Agali Seed Secondary School. The NRM Vice Chairman of the Northern region, Sam Engola, conducted him around.
The NRM Vice Chairman of the Northern region, Sam Engola introduced 200 members of UPC and FDC who have resolved to cross to NRM. He revealed that Agali is the Sub County that scored the highest votes for President Museveni and NRM during the last elections in Lango sub region
President Museveni Gives Shs.3B For Skilling Youths In 35 Districts
Kampala. President Museveni has offered Shs3 billion for funding upcoming youth projects in 35 districts across the country.
Addressing journalists in Wandegeya, Kampala, on Friday, Ms. Valentine Kasaija, the special presidential personal assistant on youth affairs, said the money will be used to skill 10 leaders in each earmarked district so that they can go and train others.
Ms.Kasaija said the youth leaders will be trained in making of soap, shampoo, tailoring and salon, among other skills, for the project that will begin early next month.
“The youth have a lot to do and this can be translated into employment. There has been an outcry of unemployment but this will solve it partly. The President has given this money and later he will be going around giving machines,” Ms.Kasaija said.
Last year, President Museveni commissioned more than 10 projects he funded through formation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos).
Some of the commissioned facilities are Katabi Artisan Sacco, Namasuba Furniture Makers Sacco, Najja 1 Furniture and Metal Work Association, Kabuusu Wielders and Traders Sacco, Kibuye Drivers and Conductors Sacco, Lubiri Lorry Drivers and Co-Drivers Sacco, Busega United Timber and Sellers Sacco and Busega Welders Sacco.
The President also handed out Shs100m to the ghetto youth of Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, in the same month. However, a section of the public criticised the initiative, saying it had been born out of the pressure brought by some Opposition leaders who were rallying the youth, especially Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.
Mr Museveni said in the Financial Year 2018/2019 budget, Shs1.119 trillion had been put aside for Operation Wealth Creation programme, Youth Fund, Women Fund, Micro-finance, Northern Uganda Social Action Fund, Luweero Triangle Fund, and KCCA, among other initiatives, through which this money is channelled to the beneficiaries.
We do not handle procurement and money
The deputy chief coordinator Operation Wealth Creation Lt. Gen. Charles Angina has said they don’t handle any procurement and money. Below is the full statement from the general.
“Our attention has been drawn to a story published in the Daily Monitor of Monday, March 25th 2019 under the title “Army Mess in OWC Caused government huge losses – official.” Given the misrepresentation and falsehoods conveyed in the story, this is to clarify as follows;
1.NAADS
When the government launched the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) in 2001, the aim was to provide farmer education through provision of advisory services in order to improve farming practices in rural Uganda. Following its dismissal and failure, Government directed that NAADS, under the general supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) be disbanded. However, it remained a Mini secretariat that is responsible for procurement of production inputs and contracts with MAAIF’s Directorate of Extension responsible for provision of extension services to farmer’s country wide.
In 2014, His excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda Gen Yoweri Museveni disbanded the NAADS citing corruption and appointed UPDF Officers to implement the program. The following year, OWC which was piloted in 37 Constituencies in central Uganda was rolled out to the whole Country. NAADS was tasked to act as a Mini secretariat in support of OWC Presidential Initiative. Also to play a role like any of the MAAIF Agencies in ensuring Policies, Planning and extension services are done in support of OWC activities. As well to do Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure sustainability of this program with OWC whose specific role was to distribute whatever NAADS procured.
Significant to note, OWC intervention in agricultural sector brought about growth from -0.4% to 6.1% between 2013 and 2017, and this partly contributed to the raise of GDP growth to 6.8%. Also OWC efforts brought about an increase in the coffee export value from USD 407,000,000 to USD 555,000,000, Maize export value from USD 79,000,000 to USD 130,000,000, Cotton export value from USD 31,000,000 to USD 51,000,000 all between 2013 to 2017 among other export values.
2.Objectives of OWC
The overall objective of OWC is to ensure mindset change and positive attitude of the 68% of the masses outside money Economy and to create a system that facilitates effective national socio-economic transformation with focus on raising house hold incomes for poverty eradication and sustainable wealth creation.
OWC has specific objectives; of mobilizing the Masses to engage in commercial agricultural activities in order to boast house hold incomes, distribute production inputs timely in order to increase production and productivity at household level, facilitate rural technological upgrading to allow small farmers transform into small scale Industrialists, stimulate local and community enterprise development across the country and facilitate Infrastructure development particularly in rural areas.
OWC has greatly achieved in creating debate in agricultural sector, the arguments are constructive and better results are expected in the near future. We continue to identify the existing gaps in the sector which will help to provide targeted intervention in the sector and we connected the Government to the people.
Millions of Ugandans have responded to the Operation and are eager to participate, especially by receiving inputs and value addition equipment. Mobilization of stakeholders in agricultural sector, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Grain council, Banks and their warehousing system, Microfinance Institutions are beginning to position themselves.
3.Challenges faced by OWC
However, there is Lack of coordination by mandated agencies, Lack of structured marketing system, Low level of financing and failure to work out a partnership between the public and private sectors.
OWC still encounters Quality issues for both planting and breeding inputs also late procurement of the required inputs and post-harvest losses. This is an area which we have focused on for urgent attention. Some farmers also lack integrity coupled with high inflating of what is allegedly issued by the seeds/nursery operators.
The Namukekera Rural Industrial Centre model provides a good starting point and need to be considered to avoid losing more time. Similarly, unclear standard Operation Procedure for the government actors on deployment of military Officers in various constituencies and their roles despite the intervention by H.E the President.
Therefore, the story in which Ms Beatrice Byarugaba, the Director of extension services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is quoted alleging that the Army’s Operation Wealth Creation Intervention made the government suffer huge losses in the initial stages because the program was messed up by Soldiers is unfortunate, unfounded and lack ingredients of basic facts of reality. This allegation again contradicts the truth of what caused government to roll out the pilot effort (Initial stages) to the entire country, which was as a result of great success. We shall definitely assume the could have been misquoted because this is not true and OWC’s roles had nothing to do with extension services.
It is categorically clear that OWC plays an oversight role through monitoring and Evaluation and effective coordination of service delivery of both inputs and their progressive growth as NAADS drives the procurement process. There is no truth in comments attributed to Ms Beatrice Byarugaba as OWC does not handle the procurement system which involves huge sums of money.
Otherwise OWC will continue to play a coordination role with all government agencies and stakeholders, play an oversight role to ensure that farmers get right quality inputs and coordinate full value chain of production including post-harvest handling and agro-processing.
The country should be aware that OWC is entering its second phase which is AGRI-LED that is already approved by the Cabinet and the PIMA which will be presented by the Ministry of Finance.
This Initiative will run as long as the AGRILED awaits the budget to roll it out to the entire country”.
CHARLES ANGINA cgsc(USA),ndu (China)
Lieutenant General
Deputy Chief Coordinator
Embrace science and technology to empower our people
President YoweriMuseveni has told the Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement that for the party to propel the country forward and economically transform the society, the leaders must appreciate the importance of science and technology to drive socio-economic transformation. This coupled with understanding the correctness of the movement ideology that emphasizes Patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy” and the existing strategic bottlenecks that have hindered the development of Uganda.
The President was delivering a key note address to the Central Executive Committee at the ongoing retreat at Chobe Safari Lodge in Nwoya district, entitled “Ideology and Strategy”. He said that societies that continue lagging behind in science and technology are in a danger of being squandered, dominated or even exterminated by others as has happened to some races in the past.
The President reminded the CEC members that whereas the Africa continent was the origin of man, pioneer of civilization and took part in major technological and social revolutions in human history, the continent’s failure to effectively participate in the science and technological revolutions led to the continent suffering a number of calamities in the last 500 years that included slave trade, genocide, colonialism, neo-colonialism and marginalization.
He added that the lagging behind in technology by Africans did not only make them to be dominated by other men but also by nature. He said that because they cannot tame nature they are still affected by natural factors such as floods, drought, diseases famine and many others.
The NRM Chairman underscore the importance of increased investment in science and technology for the future of Uganda and Africa noting that the lagging behind in science and technology by the African continent is the original sin that led to the suffering and domination of the African people.
The President said that Uganda and the African continent must keep abreast with scientific and technological knowledge because that is what distinguishes man from other creatures and said that was the reason he proposed good remuneration for scientists in government that he said some attempted to oppose.
On the movement ideology that emphasizes nationalism, pan-Africanism, Socio-Economic transformation and democracy, the President said that nationalism and pan-Africanism was important for prosperity and strategic security of Africans.
He said that the continent cannot guarantee its prosperity without big markets for its goods and services and without solving strategic inferiority in defense terms against global threats unless it also carries out political integration. He said that the enemies of Africa are those who push for divisive and sectarian lines and don’t see the importance of integration.
Stop Harvesting Immature Coffee Beans
President Yoweri Museveni has called on farmers in the country to stop harvesting immature coffee beans saying that processors of the crop should reject premature coffee beans and strive to ensure total eradication of the vice.
“Stop harvesting immature coffee beans. It compromises the quality of the finished product. This vice affects Uganda’s competitiveness in the world market. All processors should reject such premature coffee beans and ensure that we totally eliminate this vice,” he said.
The President made the call in Kikwaya Sub-County of Kakumiiro District Bunyoro Sub-Region during the launching of Kikwaya coffee factory. The investment belongs to Mzee Karoli Kamanyire, a prominent liberation war veteran. The facility has an installed capacity of processing 10 tons of coffee per day. The President facilitated the processor to resume production following the destruction of machines during an attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) bandits. Mzee Kamanyire’s other family ventures, among others, piggery, a flourmill and carpentry work.
Mr. Museveni urged farmers in the area to increase coffee output so that the factory’s potential benefits the community in Bunyoro Sub-Region. He urged wananchi to stop sleeping and alcoholism and expend their energies to create household wealth. He said the policy of the NRM Government is to transform Sub-Counties into mini industrial zones adding that plans were underway to provide the youth with grain and feed mills to facilitate income generation. Under this arrangement, he said, they will be able to produce starch for use in manufacturing medical tablets and that furniture workshops would be established in all parts of the country to stop dependence on supplies from Kampala.
Mr. Museveni commended Mzee Kamanyire for creating income. He stressed that his visit to Kakumiro today serves to mark memories of their experiences on the 6th February 1981 when the then NRA passed through the area after attacking Kabamba barracks.
He observed that the people of Bunyoro Sub-Region have got the potential to generate good income from milk production like Kiruhuura District in South Western Uganda, which has 18 Sub-Counties, with 296 milk plants.
On the issue of environment protection, the President cautioned the people against deforestation and cultivating in wetlands. He said that the water bodies are the key facilities to ensure success in the irrigation schemes that will sustain agro-production activities throughout the years.
Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Hon. Matia Kasaija, informed residents that Government will build the premises of Kikwaya Sub-County.
Kakumiro District LC5 Chairman, Joseph Sentayi, appealed to President Museveni to intervene in the issue of investors who are attempting to deny sitting tenants their privilege of receiving land titles from Government under the programme of compensating absentee land lords.
Mzee Karoli Kamanyire saluted President Museveni for the revival and upgrading of his coffee factory.
Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho gives Rwenzori sub-region 600 Billion
Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, aka Salim Saleh, has camped in the Rwenzori sub-region for months now. He started out in Tooro and is now based in Kasese, hewing away at the seeds of stubbornness on which the Rwenzururu Kingdom is built.
The master plan
After pitching camp in the Rwenzori sub-region for at least four months, the chief coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen Saleh, this week announced what he called a Shs 600B economic development master plan for the area.
The development master plan, according to those who have met with Gen. Saleh, has been designed individually by the eight districts that make up Rwenzori after Gen. Saleh visited them and held several coordination meetings.
The district development master plans were then merged to form a regional development compact that will look to socio-economic transformation through agro-processing, tourism and infrastructural development.
This will be a pilot of the implementation of the Local Economic Development Policy that looks at agro-led industrialisation in the country.
Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, the OWC spokesperson, told Saturday Monitor that the development plans are based on what the local people demanded, aiming to use the regions agriculture and tourism potential to spur development.
He said the development plan will see the establishment of industrial parks for agro-processing factories as the main focus to be funded by the ministry of Finance. He said other ministries that have been brought on board for the implementation of the regional development plan include that of Tourism, Trade, Local Government, Health, and Agriculture.
Maj. Tabaro warned that involving political sentiments in this development process can only push back poverty alleviation measures for a region that has a great development potential that has not been tapped into, especially in the areas of agriculture and tourism.
It will only be wrong for people to link this programme to politics. OWC is not for political mobilisation. We are on a mission to eradicate poverty and we cannot fight poverty with a mind of political boundaries. That is why we are involving all stakeholders so that the development plan is owned by the region but not the parties, Maj. Tabaro said.
First Presidential Model Parish Project Launched in Fort portal
The first ever Presidential Model Parish Project has been launched in Kabarole district, with several farmers receiving livestock.
Rwengaju Model Parish Presidential Project in Busoro Sub County was launched on Thursday. Kabarole District Chairman Richard Rwabuhinga revealed that Rwengaju was declared a model parish by President Yoweri Museveni in 2008 when he visited a home of the Late Kabagambe, one of the progressive farmers in the area. Rwabuhinga said the President promised to develop Rwengaju into a model parish by supporting farmers, and that the area would be a learning center for farmers from other areas to share knowledge and experience on modern farming.
“I thank President Museveni for transforming this area through modern agriculture and the technologies our people have received. I strongly caution the beneficiaries against eating the livestock but urge you to look after them to multiply so as to generate income to educate your children and improve your household status,” Rwabuhinga said.
He revealed that as a district they are specializing on Agro -Processing Industrialization to add value to farmers’ produce.
The launch was officiated by Ham Mugenyi, the Board Chairperson Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) who represented Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the Chief Coordinator, General Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh.
Mugenyi urged residents, especially beneficiaries of the project to change their mindset from subsistence agricultural methodologies to commercial farming.
He noted that countries that embraced the idea of industrialization, by adding value to local produce, have since developed.
“Since Rwengaju is the first model parish to be established by President Yoweri Museveni in the country, as UDC we pledge total support and this would be used as a learning center/parish for all districts,” Mugenyi said.
A total of 500 improved piglets and 150 heifers were given to residents during the launch. The parish will also receive 15,000 chicks, 1500 exotic goats and Sh200million for SACCOs.
Farmers asked to form groups to get government support
The Uganda People’s Defense Forces have announced the second roll out of government support from Government to local farmers under the operation wealth creation project. Under the second phase, farmers will be required to form groups from 61 in rural-based areas, 41 in urban areas and committees of 9 people in different villages across the country.
“We encourage them to form committees for management, for supervision, committees for finance and investment and then committee for technical for value addition, because we want to go agro-industrialization so that whatever they do, there is value addition,” said Gen. Angina
He emphasized that the committees are for collective responsibility to ensure that you cannot compromise an individual. “In finance where we find a group with a treasurer, we know that it is liable to miss the rest of the group because if the treasurer is compromised then you lose everything, we even believe that we take lessons from other failures that have been in cooperative, in SACCOs because of compromise” he stressed.
Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation Lt. Gen Charles Angina is now asking different farmers to start mobilizing themselves to groups to benefit from the free distribution of seeds, animals and other agricultural inputs. Gen Angina says farmers who will be organized stand the chance to be the first beneficiaries of Government support to local farmers
“We intend to see to it that we form farmers groups so that they themselves will choose what they want to plant. We only guide them that in this ecological zone you should not grow what will not do well. Because each ecological zone of Uganda has its strength in what you can do best” he said.
With a vision to promote and transform the agricultural sector in Uganda from the point of view of technical leaders, political leaders, farmers, the private sector, Operation Wealth Creation was launched by the Uganda government as an intervention intended to create a system that facilitates effective National Socio-economic transformation with a focus of raising household incomes for poverty eradication and sustainable wealth creation.
Gen Angina was speaking at the National Launch of activities to mark the 38th Tarehe Sita Anniversary at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Mbuya, a suburb of the capital Kampala. The day will be observed under the theme “Consolidating peace for sustainable development and prosperity”. The main celebrations will be held on 6th February in the northern district of Kitgum.
President advises Teso Sub-Region on household poverty eradication
President Yoweri Museveni has told a delegation of Katakwi District local leaders that the National Resistance Movement Government is doing well in in several districts of Uganda as far as the strategic mobilization for improved household income is concerned.
“We have succeeded in wars of liberation. We are moving very well on the side of building the infrastructure. I, therefore, want the districts of Teso Sub-Region to be the next example in growing fruits, opening up fish farming projects, dairy farming, poultry and bee keeping. The Sub-Region should also be seen as an agent of change in socio-economic development to eradicate poverty at household level,” he said.
The President was addressing a meeting of Katakwi District leaders from Eastern Uganda’s Teso Sub-Region, who called on him at his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhuura District, led by Usuk County Member of Parliament, Hon. Peter Ogwang.
He told the delegation that the people of Uganda should appreciate the advantage of society shifting from traditional to modern methods of faming in order to maximize production and profits by homesteads.
“What I emphasize for the people of Teso Sub-Region and the whole of Uganda is to denounce the practice of land fragmentation stemming from inheritance cultural beliefs,” he added.
In a memorandum to the President which was presented by Katakwi District Chairperson, Elakas Walter Okiring, the people of Katakwi District thanked him for uniting all local leaders of their area regardless of their political divergent affiliations in order to discuss and harmonise the issues affecting Teso Sub-Region’s development.
He enumerated the achievements realized in infrastructure development such as the on-going tarmacking of Soroti-Karamoja Road, the Ongole Dam water for irrigation and domestic use and the good security situation.
Other issues that the President and his Katakwi delegation discussed included the implementation of cattle restocking budget, the youth livelihood projects and establishment of vocational training centers in the region.
Every Sub-county to get industrial zones
President Museveni has passed out 9,000 graduates in Wakiso District and announced government pledge to set up industrial zones in sub-counties countrywide, according to a statement from State House.
Yesterday’s statement quoted the President saying the industrial zones will be useful to the country by enabling citizens easily access training and support in organized ways. .
The 9,000 trainees, mostly women and youths received certificates in varied skills in catering and hotel hospitality, tailoring, hairdressing, bakery, piggery, making paper bags and making charcoal from garbage, among others. .
The woman Member of Parliament for Wakiso District, who is also the State minister for Education, Ms.Rosemary Seninde, organized the various groups under her non-profit agency, the Seninde Foundation. .
The graduation took place at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Wakiso District on Saturday. .
The President implored Ugandans and Africans in general to embrace commercial agriculture and value addition to their products, such as shoe making, milk processing, furniture and sewing sweaters, among others, saying that will stop the habit of donating value to foreign markets. .
“Africa is rich. If you want to know it, look at yourselves. Look at the shirt you are putting on and look at your shoes. If we start producing them here, we will save a lot of money that we donate to foreign markets,” he said. .
He commended Ms. Seninde for the good initiative of empowering Ugandans and donated an assortment of equipment to the Foundation. .
The President also pledged Shs500 million to the Foundation to constitute a revolving fund to the organization at 1 per cent interest per month. .
Ms. Seninde thanked the President for empowering Ugandans.
Pakasa Forum: University students tipped on job creation
Citing innovation as key in running a successful enterprise, Mulwana urged the students to always think outside the box and be innovative so as to be job creators. Lt. Gen. Charles Angina urged the students to stop despising Agri-businesses because agriculture is one of the key drivers of Uganda's economy. Photos by Denis Nsubuga
The 9th edition of Pakasa Forum ended Thursday with a call on university students to focus on job creation. The Executive Director, Nice House of Plastics and chairperson of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Barbara Mulwana was the key speaker at the event held at Makerere University. Under the theme Unlocking Students Potential, the forum attracted over 1000 people.
Citing innovation as key in running a successful enterprise, Mulwana urged the students to always think outside the box and be innovative so as to be job creators. She added that part of what makes entrepreneurs fail both in the short and long run is thinking that they always have to venture into something that has been explored by several other entrepreneurs who have actually secured the biggest share of the market.
The Executive Director, Nice House of Plastics and chairperson of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Barbara Mulwana was the key speaker at the event held at Makerere University
The event was also graced by Operation Wealth Creation's deputy coordinator Lieutenant Gen. Charles Angina who urged the students to stop despising Agri-businesses because agriculture is one of the key drivers of Uganda's economy and a lucrative venture.
During the same event, Vision Group CEO Robert Kabushenga tipped the participants on the values of hard work adding that there is no short cut to success.
He told the students not to think that they can make it through short cuts like sports betting. “There is no short cut to success. You have to put in the work,” Kabushenga said.
The panelists of the day included three young and successful entrepreneurs who shared moving testimonies about how they managed to set up successful enterprises.
They included Grace Naluggwa a former winner of Pakasa Youth Awards 2016 and currently the owner of St Lawrence Primary School located in Nansana, 24-year-old Ezra Kiriggwajo a third year student and proprietor of a chain of small businesses and Ruth Namara, 22, a third year student of Business Administration (BBA) and proprietor of a bakery.
The forum will be crowned by the 3rd annual Entrepreneurship Students Expo at Makerere University Freedom Square on Friday.
Some of the students that attended the event
Dr. Peter K. Turyakira the head of Department Marketing and Management said the Expo is aimed at enhancing students' learning and application of knowledge.
“This expo will offer students the opportunity to display what is learnt in class and is also an opportunity for them to begin planning for life after university. Students both graduate and undergraduate will exhibit different ideas in micro and small businesses at Makerere University Freedom Square,” said Turyakira.
Turyakira said over 1,500 university students are expected to showcase innovative ideas grouped under 200 businesses.