Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has urged the people of Nansana Municipality and the wider Wakiso district to embrace peri-urban farming as a means to create wealth.
“We educate everybody that wealth and jobs are found in four sectors: commercial agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, and services. If you engage in agriculture, it must be done commercially with proper planning—whether through intensive or extensive methods. You choose crops that give high yields,” Museveni said.
He suggested small-scale agricultural ventures such as coffee, fruits, pasture for livestock, food crops for the family, backyard piggery or poultry for eggs, and fish farming near wetlands.
The President, who is also the NRM presidential candidate, made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a rally at Kawanda Research Centre Grounds in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district.
“Development like roads can exist, but if you don’t focus on creating wealth, homes remain in poverty. When we were fighting here, the tarmac road from Kampala to Gulu was already present, but most houses along it were still grass-thatched or made of mud and wattle. That’s why NRM emphasizes wealth and jobs,” Museveni noted.
He highlighted opportunities in Wakiso’s urban and semi-urban areas for peri-urban agriculture: “In areas like Nansana and Matugga, you can do poultry for eggs, piggery, mushroom farming, and fish farming in places like Ssanga, Masuulita, and Kirolo.”
Quoting figures from presidential demonstration farms, Museveni said fish farming could be highly lucrative. “From a half-acre fish pond, people can earn Shs100 million per year, and after costs, remain with Shs70 million. Two ponds on an acre could yield Shs140 million net annually. In areas with flat land near rivers, like Kirolo, we will help establish these fish ponds,” he said to thunderous applause.
Museveni also spoke about government programs supporting wealth creation since 1997, including Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga, Youth Fund, and Women Fund. He highlighted growth in key sectors: coffee production rose from 3 million bags in 1986 to 9 million today, cow numbers increased from 3 million to 16 million, and maize and matooke production also grew.
Despite these efforts, many people remained poor, prompting a shift in approach. “When I heard that some officials were diverting funds to themselves and relatives, I introduced the Parish Development Model (PDM). At every parish, adults can form a SACCO and elect a committee to prioritize beneficiaries, but funds go directly to the intended recipients,” he explained.
Museveni expressed satisfaction that Shs52 billion had been sent to Wakiso, benefiting 47,000 families. “While some have yet to receive support, many have already benefited. People realize that PDM funds are more reliable than loans from moneylenders, which is why demand is high. We are now ready to provide more funding as the program has performed well,” he said.
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