In 2009, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni embarked on a countrywide tour to spread the message on the government program of wealth creation, which at that time was being supported by the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADs).
During his tours of the country, the president rallied Ugandans to engage in commercial agriculture with cura (Luo), aimar (Ateso), okubala (Luganda), and kuisabu (Shwalili), where he emphasized poultry, dairy, fruits, among others.
Under this campaign, President Museveni ensured that several fruit seedlings, including citrus (oranges), mangoes, and banana suckers, were distributed to millions of farmers across Uganda.
Hundreds of local residents in the Teso region who listened to and successfully implemented President Museveni’s wealth creation messages, which he spread some 15 years ago, are now self-employed and are able to independently make ends meet.
In Soroti City, along Moroto Road, right at the junction opposite the Flying School, there is an old woman with a disability condition who has ably been earning fortunes from selling fruits (oranges and mangoes), courtesy of Museveni’s wealth creation messages.
Josephine Akiror, in her mid-50s, is a woman whose dream finally came true when she started harvesting oranges and fruits from a farm she established with great support from the NAADS.
She currently has reliable fruit markets for other locals where she often buys from to retail.
At Awoja trading centre, about 10 km from Soroti City along Kumi road, several women sell assorted foods and fruits by the roadside.
In an interview with Margaret Atim, a mother of four, she said she has a citrus farm but also usually buys from other farmers and retail.
Atim makes a daily income, which has greatly enabled her to continue affording school fees for her children.
According to Atim, she was given citrus seedlings by NAADs (OWC) many years ago, and at home she is also involved in a poultry and piggery project.
After concluding the tour of the Teso region to assess the implementation of the Parish Development Model program and other wealth creation activities, President Museveni is set to tour the Karamoja region starting from December 3rd, 2024.
While in the Karamoja region, the President will tour PDM successful farmers, meet with local leaders, and also address a public rally to drum support for wealth creation among local people.