President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on the people of Ntungamo District to desist from farming wetlands, which he said is leading to deteriorating drought and environmental degradation. During a visit to oversee the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Nyanga II, Kyobwe Ward, Rwentobo, Rwahi Town Council, the President emphasized farmers abandoning wetlands and adopting modern irrigation technologies to boost agricultural productivity.

Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, President Museveni toured the enterprise of Mrs. Molly Orikiriza, a PDM beneficiary who has turned her success story into an inspiration for many in the region. The President used the chance to sermonize against destructive types of farming, urging citizens to be cautious with environmental legislation and abandon wetland farming.

We are formulating a water pump and solar power plan, but I ask the people of this area to leave the wetlands,” President Museveni added. He assured residents that the government is committed to addressing water shortages through irrigation projects, which have already registered remarkable success elsewhere in the nation.

Highlighting the power of irrigation to transform lives, the President mentioned the success story of Dr. Florence Muranga, a Bushenyi farmer, who harvests 53 tonnes of bananas annually from one acre of land—comparably to the 5 tonnes that most farmers relying on rain typically receive. “This is what irrigation can do. We have to move away from rain-fed agriculture,” he asserted.

To enable this transition, President Museveni indicated that he would install water pumps and solar irrigation to provide a constant water supply for farming. He also complimented the Ntungamo people for embracing the PDM, a government initiative to bring rural houses from subsistence farming into the money economy.

I want to thank you for waking up and embracing the Parish Development Model. The programme is at the heart of allowing our people access the money economy,” the President continued. He encouraged people to continue using the initiative to boost income in households and improve their livelihoods.

Maama Janet Museveni echoed the words of the President, appealing to the local church leaders to expound on loving God, offering tithes, and joining the PDM project. She underscored strong family foundations and intercommunity cooperation in driving development.

Mrs. Molly Orikiriza, whose poultry and onion farming enterprise has thrived under the PDM, also shared her inspiring story with the President. She received Shs995,000 in October 2023 from the PDM fund, which she supplemented with Shs5,000 to start a poultry enterprise. Having faced initial challenges, she shifted to growing onions, buying seedlings and taking Shs2.5 million as a loan from a SACCO in her neighborhood.

Her toil was not in vain as she harvested 45 bags of onions, selling them at Shs10.8 million. Having cleared her loan, she earned a profit of Shs6.74 million, which she used to complete her home and school fees for her children. Mrs. Orikiriza has again invested in her venture, purchasing 300 chickens and additional onion seedlings. Despite adversity, including death in the chickens, she expects a bright future.

“I didn’t know that uneducated people could ever access government funds,” Mrs. Orikiriza said, praising President Museveni for the PDM initiative, which has transformed her life and enabled her to educate her nine children.

As a token of appreciation for her success, President Museveni awarded Mrs. Orikiriza an additional Shs5 million to expand her onion business and Shs10 million to buy a tukutuku (motorbike) for transport. Another ten PDM beneficiaries in the area were awarded Shs1 million to support their businesses.

The President also pledged 300 iron sheets, cement, and Shs50 million for the building of a church in the area, showing his desire to build community infrastructure.

The Parish Development Model, a government flagship initiative, aims at the upgrading of rural homes by shifting them from subsistence farming to a cash economy. By providing assistance in finances, training, and resources, the program aims at raising the income levels of individuals, creating employment opportunities, and improving rural family living standards.

The event was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries, who commended the government for working towards leading sustainable development in rural areas.

President Museveni’s visit to Ntungamo District highlights the government’s dual focus on environmental conservation and agricultural modernization. By advocating for the abandonment of wetland cultivation and promoting irrigation, the President aims to address the challenges of drought and low agricultural productivity while safeguarding the environment.

The success stories of farmers like Mrs. Orikiriza and Dr. Florence Muranga demonstrate the transformative power of government programs like the PDM and irrigation programs. As people living in Ntungamo embrace such programs, they are not only improving their own living conditions but also contributing to the broader goal of national development.

President Museveni’s call for sustainable farming practices and his support for irrigation and the PDM reflect a strategic approach to addressing the challenges of rural poverty and environmental degradation. By empowering farmers and promoting innovative agricultural techniques, the government is laying the foundation for a more prosperous and resilient Uganda.