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President Museveni recognised and rewarded farmers in the Lango Sub-region for their dedication to improving their livelihoods through the Parish Development Model (PDM). Mr. Museveni officially kicked off his one-week assessment tour of the PDM programme in Lango Sub-region yesterday 28^th January 2024

President Museveni acknowledged and honored farmers in the Lango Sub-region for their commitment to enhancing their livelihoods through the Parish Development Model (PDM). He began his week-long evaluation of the PDM program in the region on January 28th, 2024.

During his visit, the President celebrated the efforts of the farmers, encouraging them to continue improving their livelihoods.

He gave Ms. Rose Akoi, a beneficiary from Kole Town Council, Shs10 million to help her purchase land and oxen for agricultural production. Additionally, he directed that a borehole be constructed near her home to benefit her family and the surrounding community.

President Museveni emphasised the importance of participation in the country’s livelihood initiatives, likening it to a child learning to stand: “Let the child stand on their own, and encourage them.”

He stressed that many Ugandans remain spectators of the government’s interventions, urging everyone to get involved for real progress. “Spectator is only for football. For football, you can go and watch. You don’t have to play but for livelihood, everybody must participate,” he added.

In Amolatar District, Mr. Museveni visited Mr. Jowel Okello, the director of Archways Agro Farm in Kongoro Parish, Acii Sub- County, which boasts a large number of livestock, including 305 cows, 600 goats, and 200 sheep. As a reward, Mr Museveni gifted Okello a tractor and promised to bring electricity to the lakeshores to enhance agricultural productivity.

Bishop Alfred Olwa of the Anglican Lango Diocese praised the PDM initiative and shared his success with the programme.

Bishop Olwa, who has invested in coffee and cocoa farming, said the President’s visit was highly motivating. He, however, highlighted the challenges of weather and the need for better water management solutions for farmers, urging the government to subsidise irrigation methods.

“I am very encouraged that His Excellency is here on a programme to inspect [PDM activities]. You see when you don’t inspect, you don’t expect. There is that saying. You inspect, and then you expect,” said Bishop Olwa.

He added: “So, this is a great thing for His Excellency to come and be able to see for himself the challenges involved and the successes.”

In Otuke District, where soil conditions are less suitable for crop farming, residents face extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts.

Otuke’s sandy, drought-prone soil has led many to focus on livestock farming, but this shift has not fully addressed income inequality. Local leaders such as the LC5 Chairman, Mr Francis Abola, have suggested promoting climate-smart technologies, such as beekeeping, orange and mango farming, and dairy production, as viable alternatives for the area.

Mr Abola urged the government to provide farmers in Otuke with irrigation equipment through the Micro-scale Irrigation Programme, which helps farmers transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. This programme offers matching grants for purchasing irrigation equipment, allowing farmers to pay part of the cost while the government covers the rest.

The Micro-scale Irrigation Programme is aligned with Uganda’s National Irrigation Policy, which aims to irrigate 1.5 million hectares by 2040. The programme is designed to assist smallholder farmers and provides them with extension services.