By Jamillah Kemigisa
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to abandon unplanned land use and adopt strategic, well-organized farming practices to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods. Speaking during his visit to Kamwenge District, the President emphasized that Uganda’s rapidly growing households cannot be sustained on the current average landholding of 0.8 acres, which he attributed to inefficient land utilization.
“Unplanned land use is one of the biggest challenges we face today,” President Museveni said. “We must embrace strategic farming—farming that feeds families and generates income. This is what the Parish Development Model is all about.”
The President made these remarks while touring the farm of Mr. Julius Akorinako, a model PDM beneficiary who has turned his land into a flourishing agri-business enterprise. Specializing in coffee, bananas, mangoes, beans, and goat rearing, Akorinako earns over 20 million shillings monthly. His diversified operations have become a beacon of success in the district, rooted in the principles of wealth creation promoted by President Museveni.
“After listening to the President’s guidance on enterprise selection and wealth creation, I decided to take action,” Akorinako said. “This farm is now my business empire. It’s not just about income—it’s about transforming the community.”
Impressed by Akorinako’s achievements, President Museveni lauded him as a symbol of what Ugandans can accomplish with proper planning and informed choices. “This is the kind of success we aim for through the PDM. Farmers like Akorinako show us that the path to prosperity lies in smart agriculture,” the President remarked.
To further support Akorinako’s work, President Museveni donated a FUSO truck for produce transportation, 12 million shillings to acquire improved dairy breeds, and a water dam to ensure year-round irrigation. In a broader show of support, the President also handed out one million shillings to each PDM beneficiary who attended the event.
Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, highlighted the growing impact of the PDM in Kamwenge, noting that six out of every ten households have taken up coffee farming, many inspired by Akorinako’s example.
First Lady and Education Minister Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni echoed the President’s message, calling on Ugandans to take ownership of the wealth creation drive. “Strategic farming, like what we see here in Kamwenge, is not only viable—it’s essential. It’s not just about government support; it’s about personal responsibility and community transformation,” she said.
Launched in 2022, the Parish Development Model seeks to move Uganda’s rural households from subsistence farming to market-oriented production. The initiative empowers parishes as hubs for service delivery, providing direct financial support through SACCOs to fund income-generating projects.
Akorinako’s story is now emblematic of what is possible when government strategy meets citizen initiative. With PDM adoption growing across the country, President Museveni’s call for strategic land use and enterprise selection is resonating with farmers determined to build lasting prosperity from the ground up.
“Economic liberation starts with planning,” the President concluded. “Let’s stop scattering land and efforts. Let’s use what we have wisely—for ourselves, our families, and our country.”
