Museveni urges Ntungamo residents to abandon wetland cultivation

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President Yoweri Museveni has urged the residents of Uganda's western district of Ntungamo to abandon wetland cultivation, which he identified as a significant contributor to drought. 

According to the President, the residents should respect environmental laws by vacating wetlands. 

“We are coming up with a plan for water pumps and solar power, but I ask the people of this area to leave the wetlands,” he said.

The President, accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, made the remarks on Saturday while conducting an assessment of the Parish Development Model (PDM).

(PPU)

While at it, he visited the enterprise of Molly Orikiriza, a beneficiary of the initiative. 

The visit took place in Nyanga II, Kyobwe Ward, Rwentobo in Rwahi Town Council.

President Museveni with First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni. (PPU)

Museveni assured the residents that the issue of water scarcity would be addressed through irrigation. 

“We have started an irrigation project here in Bushenyi, and we are planning to roll it out in other parts of the country. We are doing irrigation on banana plantations, and the results are clear."

He further highlighted the success of Dr Florence Muranga, a farmer from Bushenyi, who harvests 53 tonnes of bananas from one acre annually, a stark contrast to the five tonnes harvested by ordinary farmers in the district. 

“This shows what irrigation can do. We must move away from relying on rain-fed agriculture."

(PPU)

(PPU)

To further support farmers, the President announced plans to introduce water pumps and solar-powered irrigation systems to ensure consistent water supply for farming.

He also commended the people of Ntungamo for embracing PDM, urging them to continue using the initiative to boost household incomes.

"This programme is key in helping our people join the money economy."

On her part, the First Lady encouraged local church leaders to emphasize the importance of loving God, paying tithe, and supporting the PDM initiative. 

President Museveni with First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni. (PPU)

She said the programme has helped families become more responsible and work together, stressing that such values form the foundation of strong homes.

Orikiriza, a shining example of PDM success, shared her journey of transformation.

In October 2023, she received sh995,000 PDM fund, which she topped with sh5000 to make sh1m to start a poultry business. 

Initially, she bought 100 chickens, and after raising them for one and a half months, she sold them at a profit of sh900,000. 

However, facing challenges in poultry farming, Orikiriza shifted to onion planting, investing her remaining funds into three kilogrammes of onion seedlings.

She took a loan of sh2.5m from a local SACCO, which she used for weeding, spraying, and labour costs. 

Upon harvest, Orikiriza sold 45 sacks of onions for sh10.8m, repaid the loan, and was left with a profit of sh6.74m. With these proceeds, she was able to complete her house and pay her children’s school fees.

Orikiriza reinvested part of her money into a new batch of poultry, purchasing 300 chickens and 1.5 kilogrammes of onion seedlings, which are yet to be harvested. 

Despite challenges with chicken mortality, she has sold 100 of them at sh10,000 each, getting sh1m, and as of now she has 175 chickens and is optimistic about her future.

Orikiriza said the PDM initiative has significantly improved her life and supported her in educating her nine children.

“I didn't know that uneducated people could ever access government money."

Presidential support for local farmers

In recognition of Orikiriza’s success, Museveni provided an additional sh5m to expand her onion farming and sh10m to purchase a tuktuk (motorbike) to aid in transportation. 

Other PDM beneficiaries in the area also received support, with each of the ten beneficiaries receiving sh1m. 

Further, the President pledged to provide 300 iron sheets, cement, and sh50m to aid in finishing construction of a church in the area, emphasizing his commitment to improving the community's infrastructure.

The PDM is a government initiative designed to uplift rural households by moving them from subsistence farming into a cash economy. 

It aims to enhance income levels, create employment opportunities, and improve the standard of living for rural families.