Busoga Consortium elects new governor, unveils poverty eradication plan

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Busoga leaders have unveiled an ambitious plan to eliminate extreme poverty by 2028 and position the sub-region as Uganda’s fastest-growing economy by 2030 following the election of new leadership at the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD).

The renewed vision was announced during a high-level summit held on May 26, 2026, at the Civil Service College of Uganda in Jinja city, where local government leaders from the 12 administrative units of Busoga elected Bugiri district LC5 chairperson Davidson Mulumba Kasajja as the new BCD governor.

Kasajja takes over from Bishop Frank Tibagendeka, the former LC5 chairperson of Mayuge district, ushering in what leaders described as a new phase of coordinated regional transformation.

The former L.C V chairperson of Mayuge district and former BCD Governor Bishop Frank Tibagendeka (2nd L) handing over a Busoga Development Agenda booklet to the Bugiri district L.C V chairperson and newly elected BCD Governor Davidson Mulumba Kasajja (C) as Busoga Consortium for Development's Director General Anthony Mula (L), 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama (2nd R) and Iganga district L.C V chairperson and BCD Vice Governor Shabiru Isabirye (R) witness. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Iganga district LC5 chairperson Shabiru Isabirye was elected vice governor during the summit, which attracted several senior government officials, including the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and chairperson of the BCD Ministerial Coordination Committee, Rukia Nakadama.

A vision for regional cohesion and unity

In his inaugural address, the newly elected governor, Kasajja, pledged to make political and social cohesion the cornerstone of his tenure, promising to pursue unity across all leadership levels.

"We must be united if we are to help Busoga move to those heights we expect it to be. I am going to emphasise unity among all leaders, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or tradition, even if it requires kneeling down to preach this gospel," Kasajja declared.

Kasajja said stronger solidarity among leaders would provide a united platform for members of parliament to lobby the central government more effectively, ensuring the region attracts a fair share of the national development budget.

Village Agriculture Model

Reviewing the consortium’s strategic operational framework, BCD director general Anthony Mula detailed the accelerated rollout of the Village Agriculture Model Programme.

Originally inspired by rural transformation frameworks in the People’s Republic of China, the programme is intended to complement the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM).

Having already piloted three model villages in Namayombe in Namayingo, Mashiaga in Mayuge, and Busana in Kamuli, the BCD plans to expand the initiative to 12 model villages by 2028.

Projected socio-economic impact by 2028

Mula said that by 2028, BCD expects to establish 12 fully operational model villages, one in each local government area, targeting between 500 and 700 households per village.

The initiative is also expected to lift approximately 9,000 households out of poverty and propel Busoga towards middle-income status by 2030.

The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama (C) addressing local government stakeholders from the 12 districts in Busoga while at the Civil Service College of Uganda in Jinja City on May 26th. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

He added that households within the model villages will receive technical expertise, entrepreneurial training, and agricultural inputs such as poultry to help establish sustainable local economic activities.

Revolutionising regional education and nutrition

The BCD leadership also unveiled major investments aimed at improving the region’s human capital through technology-driven education and enhanced student nutrition programmes scheduled for launch in July 2026.

Upcoming initiatives

Digital online teaching programme: The initiative will begin in 50 selected schools, broadcasting real-time lessons from a centralised educator to classrooms across Busoga.

Mass youth training: The consortium plans to provide specialised technical and capacity-building training to one million young people under the stewardship of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV. Youths will receive technical exposure both locally and regionally in Kenya and Tanzania.

Soya milk feeding and school gardens: In partnership with the Busoga kingdom, local government agriculture departments, and the Ministry of Education, BCD plans to launch a fortified soya milk programme to improve student nutrition alongside reviving school gardens.

Strengthening China ties and boosting direct exports

The summit also celebrated milestones achieved in international trade and diplomacy under the outgoing governor, Bishop Frank Tibagendeka.

Through partnerships signed with China’s Shandong Province, as well as sister-city arrangements between Jinja city and Shenyang, Busoga has opened new pathways for investment and education opportunities.

Last year, Busoga became the first sub-region in Uganda to directly export 11 tonnes of chilli to the Chinese market.

Combating corruption and maximising grassroots funding

Addressing leaders at the summit, 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama praised the consortium’s legacy, tracing its roots to the leadership of former Vice President Edward Ssekandi and Vice President Jessica Alupo in President Yoweri Museveni’s cabinet.

She reminded newly sworn-in LC5 chairpersons and chief administrative officers (CAOs) of their responsibility to oversee public resources, especially with increased funding allocations at parish level.

"This financial year, we are seeing an allocation of sh200 million per parish," Nakadama stated, while stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.

"We must work together as a team to ensure there is no corruption. Our parish chiefs and technical teams must ensure this money reaches our people cleanly so they can join the money economy," she said.

The summit concluded with incoming, outgoing and secretariat leaders committing themselves to an aggressive implementation schedule, expressing confidence that the current political and cultural alignment would help transform Busoga into a leading economic powerhouse.