Burundian soldiers pick lessons from Uganda's agric sector

WAKISO - A team of 27 Burundian soldiers on Thursday (April 10) concluded their four-day study on how Uganda's agriculture sector is performing at a policy, strategic and practical level.

The visiting group is attached to Burundi's Senior Command and Staff College Kinanira.
Led by Col Jonas Sabushimike, they visited agricultural enterprises, including the agriculture ministry and the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the defence ministry/UPDF.

Having arrived on Monday, the Burundians wrapped up their trip in Entebbe at the agriculture ministry headquarters and the fisheries institute.

Brig. Simon Nicholas Ochan, Uganda's defence attache to Burundi, said the visit was in line with the East African Protocol on defence, which permits EAC member states to cooperate in areas of training, military exercises, military games and sports as well as joint meetings and studies.

"We, therefore, have students from each country going to study in the other country. We also have the military teaching staff going to facilitate in other member countries," he said.

The visit was themed around harnessing regional cooperation for development and sustainable peace and security. 

"Uganda is our role model. We thank you for the warm hospitality and believe that our students have gained variable insights," said Col Sabushimike.

Steven Byantware, the commissioner for crop protection, represented the agriculture ministry permanent secretary. 

He told the visiting delegation that all sustainable agricultural practices currently being advocated by the Ugandan government must be in conformity with environmental protection. 

Col. Jonas Sabushimike (left) gifting commissioner Steven Byantware a shield as a sign of protection, during the visit at MAAIF headquarters in Entebbe on Thursday. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

He also spoke of how agriculture and farmers are being supported for production, food security and export.

"In the spirit of EAC integration, we also discussed how the resources within the region can sustainably be shared without depletion, especially since we have Lake Victoria as one of the major shared natural resources," said Byantware.

He said the UPDF has significantly contributed to food production and livestock feed production. 

"Last year, NEC planted over 5,000 acres of cereals. Barracks like Kabamba are now also into agriculture production with over 3,000 acres of maize plus soya beans and sorghum grown."

The army has previously been involved in the control of invading desert locusts and has responded to emergencies such as the floating islands.

"The army participates in all such programmes because food security contributes a lot towards national security. A hungry population is an angry population," said the commissioner.

Maj. Lillian Otongo, part of the Burundian delegation, said their visit has enhanced their understanding of the overview of agriculture in Uganda.

She said they have picked lessons on particularly the challenges and the supportive role of the army in agriculture development as well as the Parish Development Model (PDM). 

"All these have brought out significant lessons important in our curriculum and the general knowledge of the subject."