HOIMA, June 16, 2025 – The Prime Minister of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Andrew Byakutaga, has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to support the Kingdom with agricultural mechanisation, particularly the provision of tractors, to enable subjects to engage in commercial farming.
Speaking at the 31st coronation anniversary of His Majesty Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, the Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara, held at Karuzika Palace in Hoima City, Byakutaga highlighted the lack of mechanised farming tools across the Kingdom’s 15 counties.
“Most of our people still rely on hand hoes. We have launched a coffee farming mobilisation campaign, including demonstration farms to train farmers, but the lack of tractors is a major setback,” he said. “Mr President, we kindly request that each county be supported with at least one tractor to help transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.”
Byakutaga also urged the government to support tourism in the Bunyoro Subregion, citing untapped potential that could significantly improve household incomes if developed.
In response, President Museveni pledged to consider the request and commended the Kingdom for its contributions to national development.
Preserving culture
Museveni used the occasion to call on cultural institutions in the country to take a leading role in preserving indigenous languages, promoting traditional foods, and safeguarding local customs.
He reiterated that these were among the reasons cultural institutions were restored in 1993 by his government.
“Culture is not just about marriage customs. It includes our food and tools. I am 80 and still strong because I eat traditional foods like cassava, millet, bananas, and drink milk,” Museveni said. “I avoid bread and rice, they’re not native to us.”
He urged cultural leaders to stay out of partisan politics and focus on heritage preservation. “Modern governments use English or Kiswahili. If cultural institutions don’t preserve indigenous languages, who will teach them to the next generation?” he asked.
Other remarks
Minister of State for Public Service, Grace Mary Mugasa, appealed to the Kingdom to take a stronger stance against rampant land grabbing in the region, noting that it was hindering local development.
Iguru who was restored as king in 1994 following the re-establishment of traditional institutions by the NRM government, has been in ill health since 2019. President Museveni visited him at Karuzika Palace and expressed concern, urging Ugandans to pray for his recovery.
Due to his illness, the Omukama has not participated in Empango [coronation anniversary] rituals for the past five years.
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