President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has kicked off a tour of the Karamoja sub-region to assess the implementation of the Parish Development Model program and wealth creation initiatives in the area.
On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the President visited three local farms in the Nakapiripirit, Amudat, and Abim districts that were started using the Shs1 million that the government gave to beneficiaries of PDM a few years ago.
While touring a piggery project started by Emmanuel Losike Lokong, a resident of Kakomokwee Village, Naturum Parish, Loregae Sub County in Nakapiripirit District, President Museveni said wealth creation can now be successfully implemented in the region because of the prevailing peace.
Lokong told President that he first ventured into the green gran farming before piggery. He thanked government for introducing PDM saying its a game changer for many Ugandans.
The president said the Karamojong people were previously wrongly advised about how to make wealth through stealing livestock.
“Because really you were badly advised to think that you could get rich through stealing, we need to plan for the beef and dairy industries to provide a market for your meat and milk,” the president noted.
According to President Museveni, all development initiatives are now possible due to the prevailing peace.
“All these are now possible because of peace, and you remember we had arguments about that. I’m glad you have now got peace, and you, the Karamojong, are now waking up because now these young Karamojong know that you cannot make riches through stealing cows,” the president noted.
He advised farmers to fence their farms to protect their livestock from being infected by disease from other animals.
“That’s why you need to fence off what you have so that it’s not infected, but in the past you were using the wrong strategies of stealing cows. You can now see that you have been using a wrong science; this Lokong (Karamojong) are now waking up,” President Museveni said.
According to President Museveni, it is easy to get the people of Karamoja out of poverty through livestock projects.
“I can see how easy it is for you people to come out of poverty if you get some goats, sheep, and cows in each home. When I was in Bukedi, I saw people who had done wonders with local chicken, turkey, and duck farming, so we planned deliberately that we should give Shs1 million to 100 households each year,” said the president.
In Amudat district, the president toured the goat-raising project at Jumbe cell, Jumbe ward, and Amudat town council, started by a local farmer identified as Amos Rembus Kolinyang after receiving PDM funds in 2023.
President Museveni donated to Kolinyang Shs5 million to support his initiatives and noted that the government will continue to support local people to create wealth through various programs.
President Museveni will on Wednesday, December 4th, meet with the local leaders of the Karamoja Sub-region in Moroto district and is expected to address a public rally in Kotido town on Thursday, December 5th, 2024.
