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Minister Alice Kaboyo urged Ugandans abroad to invest in self-help projects back home, emphasizing their crucial role in advancing socio-economic development. She commended initiatives like the Agroforestry Recreational Center Uganda, empowering women in Kiboga, Jinja, and Masaka through various income-generating activities.

The Minister for Luwero-Rwenzori triangle, Hon. Alice Kaboyo and the founder of Kibisi Women’s Group, Mrs. Harriet Lubega pose for a photograph with the Kibisi Women’s Group members who were awarded with certificates.

The Minister of State for Luwero-Rwenzori, Hon Alice Kaboyo rallied Ugandans living and working abroad to always commit resources to invest in their home country.

Minister Kaboyo said on 13^th February, 2024 while at Kibisi Demonstration Farm in Kiboga that if many more diasporans could invest in self-help projects back home, the country would be far ahead in socio-economic development.

The Minister made the call while touring Agroforestry Recreational Center Uganda, an NGO started by Mrs. Harriet Lubega and Charity, Sweden-based Ugandans in 2016.

Minister Kaboyo while touring Kibisi Women’s Group projects at Kibisi Demonstration Farm

The project is empowering up to 650 women in Kiboga, Jinja and Masaka to partake in different income-generating activities ranging from poultry, coffee farming, goat keeping, beekeeping, rabbit rearing, and fruit production among others.

The founders created Kibisi women’s group and they are taking part in commercial tree planting.

Some of the pupils who study from Charity Children’s Nursery and Primary School which was started by Mrs. Harriet and Ms. Charity. All the pupil’s study for free from Primary One to Primary Seven

Mrs. Lubega & her sister Charity also established Charity Children’s Nursery and Primary School which provides free education to 240 pupils from P.1 to P.7.

Mrs. Lubega is a friend of Minister Kaboyo. The two lived together in exile during Uganda’s post-independence political turmoil, alongside President Yoweri Museveni’s family.

In the early 1990s, Hon. Kaboyo returned home, while Lubega and her family stayed.

Hon. Kaboyo commended her friend for starting up such a beneficial initiative to help her own people and called on other Ugandans abroad to do the same.

“If the Ugandans in Sweden alone came back and did something like this to support the government, we would be far ahead,” she said.

“We consider people like Mrs. Lubega to be veterans because even though she did not pick up arms to go to war, she is here fighting in our current war against poverty.”

The minister also contrasted Lubega’s initiative with some of the NGOs which “come to Uganda with other things in mind.”

“Some come to steal out minerals, others are sowing hatred against the government,” added the Minister.

Hon. Kaboyo was particularly impressed by the Group’s agroforestry initiative which she said is ever so important for the environment.

She noted that President Yoweri Museveni has been keen on having all the bare hills in Kiboga district planted with bamboo.

On her part, Mrs Lubega said she was pushed to start this project together with her family because of her love and belief in her people.

“Our government is doing everything possible for development but it cannot do all,” she said.

“But if we work together, we can move our country. We needn’t wait for handouts all the time; we just need to get a little push and we can move ourselves forward.”

Mrs. Lubega said she was impressed by how her project was embraced by the women of Kiboga.

“There are so many success stories; we have people who had absolutely nothing, but from their little savings they have achieved so much,” she said.

The Kibisi sub-county chairman Ssalongo Kaita Godfrey emphasised the role being played by women in society.

The Minister for Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle together with the founder of Kibisi Women’s Group, Mrs. Harriet Lubega, government officials, administrators, and Kibisi Women’s Group participants at Kibisi Demonstration Farm

These women almost pay for everything in a home, soon they will start buying clothing for men. Men now have resorted to begging since women are taking good care of their families,” he said.

Rossette Nakalyango, a female councillor for Kyomya Sub County and Bukomero Town Council thanked Mrs. Lubega for her efforts.

She, however, noted that while such projects are primarily focusing on women and girls, men and boys also need to be considered.

“The challenge we are facing is that we are about to get overburdened as women because we are not paying enough attention to the boy child,” she said.

“Nearly all non-profits that come here are supporting the girls alone. They bring them bags, books, and other essentials but nothing is given to the boys,” she said.

Minister Kaboyo also re-echoed this message, noting that the government and stakeholders must not completely abandon the boy child.

“The government it seems has paid so much attention to the girls, which is a good thing…but now the men are becoming weak. It seems we the women are running too fast. I urge you women who are working and supporting your families to not leave your men behind,” advised Kaboyo.

Meanwhile, Mrs, Mariam Nalubega Seguya, the Kiboga Resident District Commissioner advised the Kibisi Women’s Group members to also consider seeking out funding from other government development projects such as the Parish Development Model.

She noted that the district received Shs 3.5bn for 58 parishes, and urged the group members to apply for the next round of funding.

Minister Kaboyo also promised to enrol the group for funds from the Micro-Projects program under her ministry.