Museveni to people of Kigezi: 'Join the money economy'
Museveni advised the locals to utilize the abundant resources, including fertile land, to set up commercial agricultural enterprises to create wealth and ensure food security in their homes.
President Yoweri Museveni addressing people of Kigezi during the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) Convention held in Kihihi, Kanungu district. (PPU photos)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
President Yoweri Museveni has urged the people of Kigezi to join the money economy to fight poverty and improve their livelihoods.
He advised the locals to utilize the abundant resources, including fertile land, to set up commercial agricultural enterprises to create wealth and ensure food security in their homes.
The President made the remarks on Friday during the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) Convention held in Kihihi, Kanungu district.
Museveni advised the people of Kigezi that as they venture into commercial agriculture, they should select the suitable enterprise.
ICOB was founded to promote the cultural, social and economic development of Banyakigezi in Uganda and in the diaspora, and to pass on the importance of customs, language and wisdom handed down from their forefathers to their children.
At the convention, Museveni advised the people of Kigezi that as they venture into commercial agriculture, they should select the suitable enterprise, such as dairy farming, to enable them realize high returns.
“For those with small pieces of land, you should do intensive agriculture, where you carry out an enterprise on a small scale but get high returns," he said.
"After our analysis, we recommended seven activities, where on one acre you grow coffee, second acre you grow fruits, on the third you grow pasture for dairy, then on the fourth acre you grow food crops.
"In the backyard, you do piggery and poultry for eggs. Those near the swamps, you do fish farming. This is the message we gave in the 1996 manifesto, in writing.
The President pointed out that "those who listened to our message are doing well".
Additionally, he underscored the role of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in helping Ugandan households to join the money economy.
Crucially, he was keen to caution the people of Kigezi against over-emphasizing their tribes or origins, saying it undermines the socio-economic transformation progress of Uganda.
“Go slow on the Banyakigezi initiative so that you don't make mistakes,” said Museveni, going on to underline the NRM government's emphasis on the mass line principle.
“We came up with mass immunisation, that is why the population of Uganda has been able to grow to 46 million people," he said.
Other mass line programmes he highlighted are the education for all programmes (UPE and USE) and prosperity for all (bonna bagagawale).
With Kanungu being endowed with natural resources that can boost tourism, Museveni pledged to construct an international airport in Kihihi to target high-end tourists that would want prefer to fly there.
Kanungu district chairman Eng. Sam Arinaitwe Kajojo confirmed that there is some 720-acre free land with a 6km runway for the development of an international airport.
Former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda commended the President for fighting poverty and enabling Ugandans to create wealth through the PDM.
Former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda marking his remarks.
He also hailed Museveni for his efforts in pushing for the realization of the East Africa Federation and a united Africa.
“Since his young days in college, the President has been struggling for both liberation and a united East Africa and a united Africa. This has not been only in words, but the Pan-African role played by Uganda and UPDF in a number of countries, especially in Somalia, is very well known," said Rugunda.
"Your Excellency, we want to thank you and encourage you to do even more to ensure that the goal of bringing the people of East Africa together is achieved.”
Rugunda's predecessor in the prime minister role, Amama Mbabazi, cautioned the people of Kigezi against being divided along religious lines.
On his part, ICT and national guidance minister and Kinkizi East MP Dr Chris Baryomunsi said ICOB undertakes various projects that aim at contributing to the development of Uganda.
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi cautioned the people of Kigezi against being divided along religious lines. 
“As leaders in government, we work with this community because we have one goal of transforming the people of Kigezi,” he said.
Grace Mutebile is the chairperson of the ICOB-Uganda Chapter. She informed the President that the chapter supports the country's socio-economic transformation and education for all initiatives.
“Your Excellency, we thank you for your exemplary leadership you have shown as a champion of wealth creation and women emancipation. I want to thank you for elevating women in this country,” she said.
“Thank you for the promotion of peace and security in Uganda, East Africa, Africa and the world at large. We also thank you for your dedication to empowering households economically through wealth creation.”
Mutebile commended Museveni for supporting ICOB, further appreciating him for the road infrastructure in the region.
“We thank you for the excellent road network: Muko to Ruhija, Kanyantorogo to Buhoma, Kabale to Lake Bunyonyi, Hamurwa to Kanungu, Kisoro to Nkuringo, Kisoro to Mugahinga.”