Kazo – As the rainy season sets in, Hon. Jennifer Muheesi, Member of Parliament for Kazo District, has launched a campaign to distribute coffee seedlings to farmers in Kyampangara Sub county, aiming to boost their socio-economic transformation.
Speaking during the distribution event, Hon. Muheesi emphasized the importance of coffee as a valuable agricultural product and encouraged farmers to take proper care of the seedlings.
“Coffee is one of the most expensive agricultural crops. I urge you all to nurture these seedlings well because they have the potential to significantly improve your livelihoods,” she said.
Coffee Distribution Campaign Resumes After Drought
Twesigye Eliab, one of the coffee coordinators in Kazo District, explained that the coffee distribution campaign had started earlier in the year but was temporarily halted due to drought conditions. Now, with the rains returning, the distribution has resumed in Kyampangara Sub county.
“This program started earlier, but we had to pause due to the dry season. We’ve already covered Kanoni Sub-county, and now we are here in Kyampangara. We will continue to distribute coffee seedlings to other sub-counties as well. For those areas we haven’t reached yet, we ask for patience. Prepare your gardens, we’re coming,” Eliab said.
He also highlighted Hon. Muheesi’s financial contribution to the program, urging farmers to plant the donated seedlings and take full advantage of this opportunity to transform their lives.
“Hon. Jennifer has invested a lot of money in these seedlings, hoping that you can use them to shift to a money economy,” he added.
Farming Tips and Guidance
During the launch, Eliab shared valuable tips with farmers on how to care for the seedlings.
He advised farmers not to plant the seedlings immediately after receiving them, but instead, to first place them in a shaded area and water them for three days before planting them in the evening of the third day.
He also noted that a large coffee nursery bed has been set up in Buremba, with plans to continue distribution up until December.
“We’ll reach every subcounty by the end of the year. Be patient and wait in your area; there’s no need to travel to other subcounties. We are coming,” he assured the farmers.
Local Leaders Applaud the Initiative
Mugabi Bernard Maguire, the LC3 Chairperson for Kyampangara Subcounty, expressed gratitude for the initiative and urged farmers to take the project seriously. He noted that coffee offers one of the best income sources for the future.
“Hon. Muheesi and her team have spent the day here distributing seedlings to farmers as part of efforts to eradicate poverty in our community. My message to the farmers is simple: take care of the coffee seedlings you’ve received. If you plant and nurture them well, they will uplift you economically,” Mugabi said.
Farmers Show Appreciation
George Ngabirano, one of the farmers who received the seedlings expressed gratitude to Hon. Muheesi and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for their ongoing efforts to support the common people.
“I thank Hon. Muheesi for thinking of us farmers. Coffee will help us secure a better future,” the farmer said.
Mackline Nashaba, a woman leader in the area as well a farmer, praised Hon. Muheesi, saying that such initiatives will ensure their support in the upcoming elections.
“This effort to push us into the money economy will shield us in the coming elections. We are thankful to Hon. Muheesi for always fighting for our welfare,” she remarked.
Uganda’s Coffee Industry on the Global Stage
Uganda, as one of Africa’s leading coffee producers, has seen significant growth in its coffee exports. The country is now the second-largest coffee producer in Africa, after Ethiopia, and the eighth-largest globally. In recent years, coffee has become a major foreign exchange earner for Uganda, with exports reaching countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Uganda’s unique Robusta and Arabica coffee varieties are highly sought after on the global market, contributing to the livelihoods of millions of Ugandan farmers.
The government’s emphasis on coffee farming, through programs like the one led by Hon. Muheesi, is not only transforming local communities but also positioning Uganda as a key player in the international coffee trade. This, in turn, helps the country tap into a multi-billion-dollar global industry, furthering national development goals.
As Uganda continues to improve coffee production and quality, initiatives like these are vital for both boosting the local economy and enhancing the country’s presence in the global coffee market.
