Fanfare at Uganda's best farmers awards

By Pascal Kwesiga

Farming is associated with soil and dirt. As a result, many people prefer white-collar jobs to this activity. But the farmers at Vision Group’s Best Farmers’ competition award ceremony at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Friday debunked this mindset and highlighted the need for attitude change.

Of course, there was a bit of dirt and water too, since the heavens opened up in the afternoon. However, this did not dampen the lively ceremony.

The competition had been running since January 2014, so the awards were a befitting climax to a long journey. A total of 1,890 farmers were nominated and 385 profiles published and broadcast.

The winners were drawn from all the major regions of the country. The distinguished judges for competition were Prof. Morris Ogenga-Latigo, Victoria Sekitoleko, Augustine Mwendya, Josephat Byaruhanga and Steven Kizito Kakonge.

The elegantly dressed farmers dined and rubbed shoulders with top government officials at the Kampala Serena Hotel. With Gen. Salim Saleh the chief guest, there were ambassadors notably Alphons J Hennekens of the Netherlands, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama;

MPs and people engaged in agri-business. But then, you could not tell the difference between a minister and a farmer! The message was clear to all — farmers can also dine with the elite.

There were speeches too and they were occasionally interspersed with traditional dances courtesy of Crane Performers. And then a screening of a documentary of the best 10 farmers-explaining where they came from, where they are and going to.

trueGen. (rtd.) Salim Saleh, who represented President Yoweri Museveni as guest of honour, addressing guests

Speaker after speaker praised farming as a ‘cool’ business with some of them including bankers, politicians and media managers proudly referring to themselves as farmers.

The emcee at the event, Susan Nsibirwa who is Vision Group’s marketing and communications manager, joked that “Since it appears that farming is that cool...I also declare that I am a farmer.”

Some of the farmers who attended the event did not know that Uganda’s defence minister, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, who was in attendance is a farmer, until Vision Group chief executive officer, Robert Kabushenga announced that he (Kiyonga) participated in the competition.

Those present had thought Kiyonga, like other government officials, was attending the event in his capacity as minister.

“When Dr. Kiyonga called me I thought he wanted a reporter. He, instead, asked me about the farmers competition we had launched and inquired how he would take part,” Kabushenga told a cheering crowd.

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James Olobo Dubai (second left) and his wife Sophie receiving an award from the Dutch Ambassador, Alphons Hennekens (left), and Dick Van Nieuwenhuyze, the country manager of the Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM). Photo/Roderick Ahimbazwe
 

Kiyonga has one of the largest farms in the country located in Kasese district. He was among the 40 farmers who were recognised with certificates at the ceremony.

Finally, the winners were awarded. Forty farmers were recognised with certificates and the top 10 got plaques, while the top three received cash prizes.

And then, a trip to the Netherlands for the top 10 will come next year. Certainly, this was an evening well spent — thanks to farmers!

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