SEMBABULE: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni convened with Gomba and Sembabule district leaders at his Kisozi farm in Gomba District on Thursday.
The meeting focused on assessing the impact of the project initiated by the President in 2011, which aimed to uplift nine villages in Gomba and Sembabule Districts. The discussions also centered on extending the program’s benefits to additional districts with the collaboration of local leaders.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of prioritizing household income for community development, stating that addressing this issue lays the foundation for overall progress. He underscored that while infrastructure such as roads and electricity are vital, they alone cannot alleviate poverty.
In 2011, President Museveni provided various resources including livestock, coffee seedlings, and financial assistance to households in nine villages, namely Kirasi, Kisozi A, Kisozi B, Obutugu, Lutunku A, Lutunku B, Kajumilo, Kasozi, and Kikuumadungu, with the aim of fostering economic empowerment.
Reflecting on his longstanding efforts to combat poverty since the 1960s, President Museveni highlighted his initiatives in the Ankole region, encouraging settlers to engage in dairy farming and adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
He emphasized the importance of wealth creation and urged the communities of Gomba and Sembabule to embrace this ethos, citing past successes in Ankole as a model for replication.
President Museveni described the initial project in the nine villages as a pilot study, expressing satisfaction with its outcomes and advocating for its expansion across Gomba and Sembabule Districts.
He pledged continued support for the beneficiaries of the project, promising additional resources and financial assistance through SACCO.
Members of Parliament from Gomba and Sembabule expressed gratitude for the President’s leadership and praised the positive impact of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) in alleviating poverty.
The Project Coordinator, Ms. Sarah Nalwanga, highlighted the transformative effect of the President’s intervention, citing examples of increased livestock and expanded agricultural yields among beneficiaries.
She revealed that over 2035 households have benefited from the program thus far.
