GIDEON TUMWIJUKYE
Farmers in Rukiga District are facing challenges caused by prolonged drought and pest infestations, which have negatively impacted projects funded under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Edwin Namanya Bamwenda, a farmer from Kabira Village, Kyabuhangwa Parish in Kamwezi Sub-county, is among the beneficiaries who invested in agriculture through the PDM. He noted that the ongoing drought has severely affected his coffee and banana plantation, reducing expected yields. Namanya, who cultivates 2.5 acres of land, urged fellow farmers to maximize the use of their available land in line with the presidential 4-acre model. He encouraged families to practice cooperative farming instead of dividing land, which often leads to lower productivity.
He further lamented the impact of pests, particularly coffee wilt disease, which has worsened the situation for coffee farmers.
Similarly, Augustine Byomuhangi and Javira Niwamanya, both PDM beneficiaries and cattle farmers from Kyabuhangwa Parish, reported that their livestock are struggling due to the lack of pasture and water. Javira appealed to the government to support cattle farmers by providing water pumps to facilitate irrigation of grasslands.
Eliab Abaasa, the National Youth Leader for Kaguta 2026, called upon the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries, to assist farmers with pesticides and irrigation equipment to enhance productivity. He also encouraged youth to engage in agriculture, particularly livestock farming, emphasizing that Kigezi is still endowed with communal grazing land.
