President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the people of Kisoro district for their hard work and assured them that the government will do everything possible to support them by providing improved seeds to boost their production and a factory to add value to their produce.
The President called upon them to diversify their agricultural production by introducing high value crops such as apples to improve incomes and also to maximize their land use.
president Museveni in Kisoro
The President is on a four day mobilization tour in the districts of Kisoro, Ntungamo and Isingiro to popularize governments Prosperity for All (PFA) programme which is aimed at fighting house hold poverty and boost incomes. His on spot visits to farmer projects is part of his performance assessment tour of NAADS implementation at the grassroots.
The Movement government introduced NAADS to help equip people with skills to promote through modern agricultural practices and animal industry. This boosts commercialization and enables farmers earn more money.
Addressing a public rally at Rubuguri Trading centre in Kirundu sub county Kisoro district, the President commended the people for keeping Friesian cows that are more profitable in terms of milk output and profitability than the indigenous ones.
He hailed them for adopting the terracing method of agriculture that conserves soil and urged them to exploit the growing of grasses such as cariandra to improve the soil content and as animal feeds and called on the agricultural extension workers to sensitize the public on better farming practices.
Due to the delicate nature of the environment here and the rapidly increasing population, Kisoro district land is under threat of degradation and over use. Despite this however, it has been rated as one of the best performing districts under NAADS and is famous for Irish Potatoe production, beans, maize, sorghum, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes and cabbages.
The farmers are now demanding for a factory to add value to their potatoes and for government to provide improved tea seeds as part of their response to the President’s call for diversification of agro products. The people in Kisoro also called on telecommunication companies to provide services to the district to ease their communication needs. Government is already tarmac the Kabale – Kisoro road which is near completion and has provided electricity to the district.
The President initially commissioned Rubuguri Dairy Farmers Association milk cooler with a capacity of 3000 litres which was donated by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) office in Uganda for the people of Kisoro. He commended them setting a good example in the area by rearing Friesian cows and donated Shs 20million for the 130 member association to improve their activities.
He later visited progressive farmers Mr and Mrs Nkuranga of Shozi village who are involved in poultry production, beekeeping, piggery and milk production and earn over 37 million shillings annually. Later the President met members of Shozi Women’s Association and donated to them Shs 5million. He called on other farmers to join SACCOs to promote a saving culture and build their capacity to borrow money and improve their production.
He later addressed another rally at Kisoro County Headquarters in Kisoro town and urged the people to focus on income generation to transform their households through modernization and commercialization of agriculture by introducing high value projects such as apples, coffee, poultry, piggery and improved goats, adding that government will improve infrastructure such as roads, electricity, schools and health centres.
Mr. Museveni strongly advised the youth to avoid contracting HIV/AID urging them to help their parents with house hold chores during holidays, concentrate on their studies, read the bible or Quran or engage in sports.
Responding to a call by the people to ensure that doctors are attracted to rural areas, the president said government raised allowances for teachers and doctors in hard to reach areas by 30 percent to encourage them to be committed to their work.
On the claims for compensation for people who lost their lives and property when the RPF army was retreating back to Rwanda, the President said he needed a written document before he could consult the attorney General and the Minister for Luwero Triangle on the situation.
Earlier, the LCV chairman of Kisoro district Mr. Philemon Mateke praised the NRM government for the development programs in the district especially the improvement of the infrastructure, providing peace and security and for NAADS.
The president was accompanied by the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity Hon. James Nsaba Buturo, members of parliament, Hon. Tress Bucyanayandi, Silver Bahane and Eudia Kwizera, local and district leaders.