Budaka, Uganda – The Bugwere King, His Royal Highness Geoffrey Wayabire II (Ikumbania), has issued a clarion call to his subjects and the government to prioritize long-term rural development to address the recurring food crises in the region and country.
In an exclusive interview with one of the local online publication in the region, the cultural leader emphasized that food production is the key to ending hunger and poverty in the four districts of Budaka, Butebo, Kibuku, and Pallisa, which often experience acute food insecurity during dry seasons.
“Food production is the answer to our problems. We have the potential to feed not only our region but the entire world,” Wayabire said, highlighting Uganda’s unique geography and climate. “We are near the equator, with high altitude and fertile soil. Food grows easily here. If there’s a problem with food production, it’s due to a lack of sensitization.”
The King expressed concern over the recent Uganda Food Security Outlook Report, which indicated that over 15 million people are threatened by food scarcity, with many going without a meal. He also cited data from the Food Rights Alliance, which showed that 66% of Ugandan children spend a whole day at school without a meal, while 29% of them under 5 are stunted, 3% are overweight, and obese.
He also called on the government to support farmers with equipment for micro and macro irrigation to improve production. He also urged the government to collaborate with other countries to fight pests and parasites organically, citing the example of the organic anti-tick vaccine developed in Uganda.
“The government should make this vaccine available and free for farmers. Let there be a free market for agricultural produce. Ugandans should understand the issue of the world African market,” Wayabire said.
The cultural leader further highlighted several challenges faced by Ugandan farmers, including post-harvest/storage problems, lack of proper supervision and enforcement, environmental degradation, land fragmentation, and lack of access to telecommunication and markets.
“If we address these challenges, we can feed a large proportion of people in the world. Uganda can be the center for food production,” Wayabire emphasized.
