Museveni strengthens Buikwe groups with 10 heifers – ChimpReports

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has donated 10 cows to various development groups in Buikwe District to boost their wealth creation initiatives.

Under the State House programme dubbed: “Strategic Campaign for Alternative Sources of Income Generating Activities for the Fishing Communities in Uganda”, the high-quality heifers were delivered on Friday by officials of the State House, led by the Assistant Private Secretary to the President for Value Addition, Mrs. Sylvia Nakiwolo.

During the meeting held at the offices of the Ssi-Bukunja sub-county council in Buikwe District, Mrs. Nakiwolo, who is also the Programme Coordinator, informed the beneficiaries that through the initiative, President Museveni aims to help people in the fishing communities to fight poverty by creating wealth through alternative sources of income.

“We have started this project with Buikwe as a pilot district, from where it will be enrolled to other fishing communities in the country. They will come for benchmarking, so make sure it succeeds,” said Ms Nakiwolo, adding that in other areas they have trained and supported beneficiaries in the district with knowledge on poultry, piggery, commercial crop production and beekeeping (beekeeping) among others as alternative sources of income generating activities.

As part of the dairy farming project, each group of 30 people receives one pregnant female heifer. The calf from this heifer is passed on to someone else, until all members have received the same calf.
Some of the beneficiary groups in Ssi-Bukunja sub-county include: Agali Awamu development group, Ssi Trading Center Coffee group, Bavubuka Tukole group, Busalwa Farmers group, Lugala Disability Farmers group, Koba Lubumba Piggery group and Lwala Tomato Farmers group.

“President Museveni wants all Ugandans to join the cash economy irrespective of their political parties because he is a president of all Ugandans. So this project should not be politicized,” Ms Nakiwolo stressed.

The LC.5 Chairman for Buikwe District, Jimmy Kanaabi, who is a member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), expressed gratitude for the work of State House in his district and urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the dairy project is expanded so that more people can benefit from it.

“I am confident that the programme will work well in Buikwe, just like the rest of the other State House programmes in the district that have made progress. We should love this project because it is aimed at lifting us up in the cash economy, and not just looking at fish in the lake,” said Chairman Kanaabi, who further stressed that oversight remains essential to ensure the success of the project.
“We have also asked the State House to help us with quality boats, motors and fishing gear so that we can fish within the law,” he added.

Mr Kanaabi also revealed that the district has received medicines from the government to immunize and spray all animals such as goats and cows free of charge. He also warned residents to beware of fake vets and acaricides.

The Chairman of LC.3, Ssi-Bukunja District, Mr. Kibuuka Godfrey, described the programme as a unique programme that emphasises unity and togetherness among the people.

“Our country was built by working together but we have failed to work in groups. In a group of 30, only three people are responsible and follow what is happening seriously, others are not bothered. After registration, everything remains on paper,” noted Chairman Kibuuka, who further urged the beneficiaries of the dairy project to take care of their heifers as this is the beginning of their future prosperity.

Mr Kibuuka also appealed to the people of Ssi-Bukunja sub-county, especially those in groups, to apply for the Parish Development Model Fund to increase their income.
“Everyone should have at least one hectare of coffee or cocoa,” he said.

According to Mr Dan Kiyaga, the Chairman of Bukunja Foundation (BUFO), most of the fishermen who have been affected by illegal fishing have left the lake and have not settled financially. He said the dairy projects, among other State House projects in Buikwe District, provide alternative sources of income.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Rehema Nalweyiso of Agali Awamu Development Group from Namukuma Village, thanked President Museveni for the heifers to improve their living conditions.

Earlier, Mr. Moses Migadde, a veterinary officer of Ngogwe sub-county, educated the beneficiaries on best practices of dairy farming including feeding and treatment. Mr. Migadde further asked residents to designate an area for communal spraying of their animals known as a crush pen.

Dr. Mwanje Gerald, veterinarian of Buikwe district, was also present at the meeting.

The programme is seen as a holistic approach to better lives for the people, especially in the fishing communities, and is being implemented by State House in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), the Microfinance Support Centre, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Bukunja Foundation.