President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged full support for Tooro Kingdom’s ambitious agricultural and youth empowerment programs, calling them a timely intervention to boost rural incomes and create jobs at the grassroots.
The President met His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and his delegation at State House, Entebbe, accompanied by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Ruth Komuntale Akiiki, Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, and senior government officials, including Hon. Balaam Barugahara, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs.
Tooro Kingdom’s Vision for Agriculture and Youth
Presenting the Kingdom’s plans, Prime Minister Rwomiire unveiled a 4.6 billion shilling proposal targeting all nine counties of Tooro with agricultural initiatives such as coffee and cocoa nursery beds, hatcheries, and demonstration gardens.
“This brings services close to the people, creates income, and generates employment,” Rwomiire said, adding that Queen Mother Best Kemigisa would serve as the brand ambassador to boost visibility and mobilization.
Museveni Endorses Coffee Project, Parish Model
President Museveni welcomed the initiative, particularly the coffee project, noting that it aligns with the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) to commercialize agriculture.
“There’s no reason why the Kingdom can’t do it. Government institutions have seeds; the Kingdom can get them, multiply them, and give them to farmers for free,” Museveni said.
He emphasized that SACCOs under the PDM would directly benefit from these interventions, reaffirming government commitment to the Shs100 million per parish allocation and announcing an additional Shs15 million for local leaders who often miss out on parish-level benefits.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Addressing concerns over mismanagement of PDM funds, Museveni issued a stern warning: “Those stealing PDM money will vomit it. We shall lock them up until they return it,” he said, insisting the program will continue despite corruption risks because of its critical role in poverty eradication.
Minister Barugahara confirmed that gaps in fund disbursement, including cases where money was given to non-residents, were being addressed through open dispute resolution and tighter supervision.
Youth and International Partnerships
The Tooro Prime Minister also introduced a Youth Economic Empowerment Program to create low-cost, high-impact opportunities for young people while strengthening the Kingdom’s partnership with the central government.
International partners presented proposals, including a university campus in Tooro specializing in agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and tourism, as well as plans to enhance Uganda-Caribbean trade and cultural exchanges.
Kingdom, Government Strengthen Ties
Reaffirming the Kingdom’s historic cooperation with the government, Rwomiire said: “With this initiative, we want to demonstrate that we are partners in delivering transformation to our people.”
President Museveni praised Tooro Kingdom’s proactive approach and parish-level focus, describing the programs as “a good intervention for sustainable rural transformation.”
