Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) is an initiative that was launched by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda in 2013 as an intervention to efficiently facilitate national socio-economic transformation, with a focus on raising household incomes and wealth creation by transforming subsistence farmers into commercial farmers.

The main objectives are to;

Improve commercial agriculture: Through the OWC Masses have been mobilized to engage in commercial agriculture to boost their household incomes.

Boost Production: Through the initiative farming inputs have been equitably and timely distributed, to boost productivity.

Technologically Upgrade: Through provision of agricultural machinery in order to transform rural farmers into small-scale industrialists.

Develop Enterprises: To stimulate development of local and community enterprises across the country.

Empower Ugandans Financially: By transforming 68% of Ugandans from subsistence production to the money economy.

The OWC over the years has provided support to farmers, entrepreneurs, and small-scale business owners through the provision of agricultural inputs, machinery, and other forms of assistance. The program has increased food production, created jobs, and reduced poverty among rural communities.

The OWC is implemented through a decentralized structure that involves the participation of local leaders, extension workers, and other stakeholders. The program focuses on supporting selected groups such as farmers’ cooperatives, women groups, youth groups, and veterans’ associations.

Under the program, the government provides agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. The government also provides machinery such as tractors and irrigation equipment to help farmers increase their productivity. In addition, the program provides training and extension services to farmers to help them improve their farming skills.

Who can benefit from this initiative?

All economically active Ugandans aged 18 and above can benefit from this initiative. However, members under the youth category should not exceed 35 years of age. Each group forms a SACCO, organized at constituency level with operations at the parish level through the established parish associations of 7-30 members.

Under the OWC, the NRM government has also catered for elected leaders, including LCI committee members, councillors at different levels, chairpersons and executive committee members at all levels in every district, both past and present.

Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) has benefitted thousands of Ugandans and has helped them create wealth for themselves and their families, has helped to boost agricultural production and create jobs in rural areas and the government has continued to implement the program, with a focus on improving its efficiency and effectiveness.