Unlocking Karamoja’s Potential: President Museveni Promotes Commercial Agriculture for Sustainable Development
By our Reporter
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the importance of commercial agriculture in creating household wealth in the Karamoja subregion.
The President made this call during the closure of the ninth edition of the Karamoja Cultural Festival, held at the Napeikori grounds in Karenga district.
Museveni noted that despite the establishment of industries in the region, commercial agriculture offers a broader scope for wealth creation.
“If you start commercializing agriculture, the people who will come to work in the factory will buy fruits, milk, and meat from you,” he said.
He encouraged the Karimojongs to explore the idea of planting fruits like grapes, which can thrive in dry areas, citing Israel as an example.
The President highlighted the government’s efforts to improve peace and security, access to water, and education in the region.
Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Lilly Akello, thanked the President for deploying the army, which has restored peace in the region.
She also commended the President’s decision to fence off Kidepo Valley National Park, enabling locals to practice agriculture and earn from their harvest.
LCV Chairperson, Karenga district, Lochaale Felix Mark, thanked the President for upcoming development projects, including the construction of an international airport and the tarmacing of the Kitgum-Kerenga road.
The closing ceremony was attended by high-ranking authorities, including ministers, MPs, and local leaders from Kenya and South Sudan.
The Karamoja Cultural Festival is an annual event celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions of the Ateker tribes in the region.
The tenth edition of the festival will be held in Nakapiripirit district.
