President Museveni has urged the people of Busoga to adopt the 4-Acre Model to escape poverty.
The model, which focuses on commercial agriculture, has been successful in other regions and involves growing crops like coffee, fruits, and food crops, as well as zero-grazing dairy cattle, poultry, piggery, and fish farming.
“The 4-Acre Model is a proven way to boost economic livelihoods and move out of poverty,” President Museveni said.
He emphasised that development can be achieved without waiting for tarmacked roads and urged the people of Busoga to take advantage of government initiatives designed to empower citizens.
According to the 2023/24 Uganda National Household Survey, 18.9% of Busoga’s population, approximately 840,700 people, live below the absolute poverty line, accounting for 12% of Uganda’s total poor population.
President Museveni launched his campaign rally in Bugiri District on November 17 and wrapped up in Jinja city on Friday, emphasizing that securing peace, NRM’s top priority, has been achieved, enabling Ugandans to work productively and plan for their future.
“Getting out of poverty requires deliberate hard work and embracing government initiatives,” he said. The President acknowledged the challenges raised, but stressed that development is a gradual process, handled step by step, not all at once.
Community members raised concerns over unresolved sugarcane issues, lack of electricity in some sub-counties, and unfulfilled promises like industrial parks and construction of markets.
President Museveni urged leaders to focus on development projects rather than flooding the government with demands that slow progress.
NRM Iganga chairperson, Mr Abubaker Walubi, raised key issues, including the need for a youth bakery project in Iganga, more Seed Secondary Schools, and addressing health service gaps at Iganga Hospital. Mr Edwin Lufafa, Jinja City NRM Chairperson, highlighted challenges facing Jinja, including colonial-era roads and lack of markets.
The President was also urged to establish more skilling centers, technical schools, an industrial park, and a regional university offering affordable education to youths.