Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu has said Uganda needs to consistently grow its economy by 10 to 12 percent annually if regions like West Nile are to achieve meaningful transformation.
While campaigning in Adjumani and Moyo on Wednesday, Gen Muntu said reviving cooperative structures and restoring the Cooperative Bank would be central to empowering farmers and stimulating rural economic growth.
‘We intend to reestablish support for cooperatives and revive the Cooperative Bank to strengthen agricultural credit,’ he said.
He added: ‘This can be done either through commercial banks or by establishing a dedicated agricultural bank focused exclusively on supporting farmers.’
Gen Muntu said prioritising agricultural financing, agro-processing, and tourism would uplift an estimated 70 percent of Ugandans who rely on agriculture for survival. He said, expanding the agro-processing sector would not only provide stable markets for farmers but also spur industrial growth and create more jobs.
‘A vibrant agro-processing sector increases economic activity, supports industrial expansion, and ultimately creates more employment opportunities,’ he said. ‘With discipline and consistency, these interventions can pull the population out of poverty.’
Turning to tourism, Gen Muntu said Uganda was underutilising one of its most promising economic sectors, particularly in West Nile. He pointed to the navigable stretch of the River Nile between Murchison Falls and Dufile, where he said investment remains minimal despite vast potential.
He called for comprehensive feasibility studies by tourism experts to guide strategic investment, especially in infrastructure. Key priorities, he said, should include improving the road network along both banks of the Nile from Pakwach to Dufile to attract private investment in hotels, water transport, birding facilities, and related services.
‘The wetlands along this stretch host numerous bird species, and Uganda is home to 20 percent of the world’s bird population,’ he said.
‘There are bird lovers across the globe who would happily visit such areas if the infrastructure and facilities were developed.’
Gen Muntu said developing tourism would create new markets for local producers and stimulate broader economic development in the region.
Tourism expert Emmanuel Barigo, who also serves as director for Northern Uganda Tourism, said West Nile is strategically positioned and could employ thousands of youth if its road network challenges are resolved.
He said the region has multiple tourism assets, including the Nile stretch from Pakwach to Moyo, the Zoka Central Forest Reserve, home to rare bird species, and the Kei Mountain range.
‘We are already working on some of these issues. West Nile has many tourism features, but what we need now is an improved road network to fully operationalise the region,’ Barigo said.