JINJA: Busoga leaders are seeking a unified development drive to reduce household poverty, create jobs and unlock the sub-region’s agricultural potential, with the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) targeting villages as models of economic transformation.
The push was highlighted on Friday at Mada Hotel in Jinja during a dinner ahead of the fourth Busoga Prayer Week, which runs from September 21 to 27.
Anthony Mula, the BCD Director General, said the consortium was moving from supporting individual farmers to developing entire villages as models, in an effort to increase household incomes and accelerate the region’s economic transformation.
“We have been having a single farmer in villages, but now their efforts are looking at having whole villages as models,” Mr Mula said.
He said the initiative was aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the consortium’s ambition to see Busoga substantially reduce poverty.
“We believe that by 2040, Busoga will be among the regions with poverty-free households,” he said.
The BCD is also seeking to bring together the Busoga cultural institution, political leaders, religious organisations, local governments, professionals and communities across the region’s 12 administrative units.
Unity for development
Representing Vice President Jessica Alupo, Mayuge District Woman MP Rukia Nakadama said development efforts would require leaders to put aside political, religious and ideological differences.
She said the government’s investments in agriculture, roads, electricity and industrialisation would have greater impact when supported by strong local ownership and partnerships.
“The call to rise up and build is an invitation to cast aside political, religious or ideological differences, channelling our collective energy towards a common goal — a prosperous, industrialised and socio-economically transformed Busoga sub-region,” Ms Nakadama said.
She cited the village agricultural model, school feeding programme and poultry projects targeting 12 model villages among initiatives being implemented through the BCD.
Ms Nakadama urged political leaders to advocate for policies and resources that can unlock Busoga’s agricultural potential, while religious and cultural leaders should promote hard work, unity and family stability.
Nasabu Nantale, the Busoga Kingdom Education Minister, said the Kingdom was willing to work with all individuals and organisations committed to unity and development in the region.
Metropolitan Leronymos Muzeeyi, the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church, said bringing different groups together was an important step in addressing Busoga’s challenges.
“Coming together is not an easy thing. It can’t be taken for granted. It is a sign of development, especially when we are seeking God’s divine [guidance],” he said.
Prayer week
The fourth Busoga Prayer Week, organised by the BCD, will use the theme “Let Us Rise Up and Build”, from Nehemiah 2:18.
The week will move across different places of worship, beginning on September 21 with prayers for Basoga and people of Kampala at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero, at 5pm.
The Anglican Church will lead prayers at Bugembe Cathedral on September 22, followed by Catholics at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on September 23.
The Orthodox Church will lead prayers at the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Jinja on September 24.
On September 25, Muslims will lead prayers at Masgid Jamia Mosque in Mayuge at noon, while Born Again Christians will hold prayers at Bethel Worship Center at 5pm.
The SDA Church will lead prayers at SDA N Central Church, Milombili, on September 26.
The week will climax on September 27 with an interdenominational celebration at Mayuge District headquarters, bringing together people from across Busoga and Uganda.
The organisers say the week is intended to combine prayer and reflection with practical mobilisation around poverty reduction, agriculture, employment, education and industrialisation in Busoga.
