Busoga king welcomes gov't proposal for post-harvest facility

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A high-level delegation from the State House has held discussions with King William Gabula Nadiope IV of Busoga about new projects aimed at accelerating the development of the Busoga sub-region.

Here, the main focus is on combating post-harvest losses and nurturing future leaders.

Friday's meeting was held at Kyabazinga’s Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja City, during a courtesy visit by the State House delegation led by the senior presidential advisor on special duties, David Kenneth Mafabi.

At the heart of the discussions was the alarming rate of post-harvest losses, which Mafabi estimated to be at a staggering 60-70 % of all agricultural produce. Emphasising the urgency of this issue, he said such losses significantly undermine farmers’ efforts and economic stability.

The delegation presented a proposal for the need to establish a post-harvest loss centre in Busoga — a pilot project intended to equip farmers with the necessary facilities for harvesting, processing, and value addition.

“We are supposed to have this facility built in industrial hubs like the one in Mutai, but not in the skilling centres of State House — and I suggest that the Kingdom of Busoga could take up the centre as a pilot project, allowing Basoga farmers to learn and establish best practices in post-harvest handling."

Barbra Nabirye Nana, the special residential assistant in charge of special duties, said that with such a facility in place, farmers will be able to harvest crops, process them, and add value to them for export. 

Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (right) together with the Issabalangira (Chief Prince) of Busoga Samuel Nkuutu Zirabamuzale (middle) and Chief Nkono Mutyaba (left) in a meeting with a delegation from State House at Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja City on Friday.

She emphasised the importance of increasing both the quality and quantity of agricultural produce to eradicate poverty in Busoga. 

“We need to ensure proper packaging and transportation to prevent food loss and enable exports,” said Nabirye.

She said that with the post-harvest loss centre, they will be able to process foods and vegetables like amaranth (doodo), cassava, and sweet potatoes to last longer.

"We realised that this post-harvest loss centre covers the gaps of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which is very good."

According to Nabirye, proper packaging and value addition are crucial for food security, enhancing export capabilities, and ultimately, eradicating poverty within Busoga.

She also highlighted the potential for increased food quality and quantity for both local and international markets.

"If matooke [bananas] were properly packaged, then it would be transported to the right people and we would not lose food. It means we would be able to export."

Nabirye presented to the Kyabazinga educational materials she has developed, including books aimed at teaching children under ten years about wealth creation and essential life skills, fostering a new generation of informed and capable leaders.

The second proposal presented focused on establishing a specialised leadership school for children aged between eight and 18. This institution would offer a tailored curriculum and tutoring to nurture future leaders in Busoga and Uganda at large.

Nabirye underscored the importance of preparing youth to be "part and parcel of the growth in culture and in the lives of Busoga".

“Therefore, if Busoga Kingdom, under the clear guidance of His Majesty, does provide the land and all, it will answer the critical need to establish a specialised school system exclusively designed for the next generation of national and global powerhouses."

Recently, Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), led by its director general, Anthony Mula, distributed 120 tarpaulins to soya bean farmers in Busoga to address post-harvest handling. 

They were distributed to farmers in Busana village in Kamuli district, Mashiaga village in Mayuge district and Namayombe village in Namayingo district with support from China Agricultural University (CAU).

'We shall move together'

On his part, the Kyabazinga welcomed both proposed initiatives, expressing enthusiasm for projects that focus on value addition and support the PDM, while also stressing the importance of education and leadership.

The monarch, who holds a Master's degree in Global Affairs, emphasised the need for dynamic thinking in a globalised world.

He also acknowledged Nabirye's academic pursuits, noting that she is leading by example.

He requested that the delegation write a concrete concept paper detailing the implementation of both projects and deliver it to him to ensure their finalisation and success for all people in Busoga.

"It is a very good one, we shall move together," said the Kyabazinga, thanking the State House team for taking the time to visit and present their developmental vision for the kingdom.

“These are very good initiatives. We need value addition and leadership development to move Busoga forward."

The delegation pledged to work expeditiously to finalise the proposals and ensure their successful implementation in partnership with Busoga Kingdom.

President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly rallied Ugandans to adopt the four-acre model to create jobs, fight poverty, and build wealth. According to him, this model is crucial for driving Uganda’s social and economic transformation.  

Introduced by Museveni's government in 1996, this approach guides smallholder farmers to divide their land into four distinct sections: one acre of coffee, another for fruit trees, one acre for pasture for livestock and one acre for food crops.