HOIMA – Local leaders in Bunyoro Sub-region have been challenged to mobilise locals, especially the youth, to utilise their land for agricultural production if they are to create wealth for themselves.
While addressing members of Kirobya National Resistance Movement [NRM]Mobilisers SACCO in Hoima district on Wednesday, Amlan Tumusiime, the Kikuube district resident commissioner was concerned that many people in Bunyoro are lamenting about biting poverty yet their land lies almost idle.
“Why should a 30-year young man with 10 acres of land go to look for a job in the oil company as a driver which pays him Shs 500,000 a month, yet he can use only five acres of land and make Shs 20 million a year,” he said.
Tumusiime added: When young people come to my office that I recommend them for jobs, I ask them if they have land back home. If they say, yes, I guide them to go back home and engage in agricultural production so that they can supply these oil companies with food.”
Pointing to the newly constructed Hoima- Biiso- Butiaba road, he said: Why should we use these newly constructed roads to dry cassava and maize? This is bad but the problem is with us the leaders who are not creating time to sensitise you. We need to take advantage of these good roads to grow enough food for sale.”
He discouraged the young people from selling their land to buy motorcycles for boda boda business or hiring the land to other people to farm.
“I am the patron of Hoima Boda Boda Riders Association and every time I meet my members, I discourage them from selling their land to buy these motorcycles. Instead, I encourage them to use the land as security to acquire the motorcycle on loan and use the motorcycle to pay the bank. At the same time, I advise them to develop the land,” he added.
Tumusiime who donated 50 plastic chairs worth Shs 1.2 million on top of Shs 50,000 to Kirobya NRM Mobilisers SACCO blamed leaders for not mobilising the youth in Bunyoro to engage in commercial farming.
“There is a need to sensitise the local communities to understand that one can become rich through using their land,” he said.
He noted that the people can use the funds provided by the government through different programmes such as the Parish Development Model [PDM] and Emyooga Programme to boost agricultural enterprises such as dairy farming, fish farming, poultry keeping, and fruit growing among others such as coffee.
Meanwhile, Christopher Atugonza, the chairperson of Hoima Boda Boda Riders Association commended Tumusiime for the donation of the chairs and money, saying members will now receive better services.
He noted that the association with 15 members is engaged in agriculture on 20 acres of land, piggery, and poultry, calling for more financial support, noting that they have savings of only Shs 4mln.
Beatrice Ahebwa, the Kapapi Subcounty councillor representing people living with disabilities [PWDs], said four PWD groups were supported by the boda boda riders’ association to start piggery and salon projects.
Evas Baryesima, councilor for Kigorobya and Kíganja sub-counties commended the boda boda riders’ association for mobilising the locals to engage income generating activities.
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