Brig Gen Muwanguzi conducts working visit to Buvuma to assess progress of Oil Palm project and PDM impact

By Our Reporter

Brigadier General Godfrey Muwanguzi, Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), has embarked on a four-day working visit to Buvuma Island to monitor the progress of the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP) and evaluate the effectiveness of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in transforming local livelihoods.

During his visit, Brig Gen Muwanguzi toured oil palm plantations, met with investors and local leaders, and held discussions focused on boosting cooperation and improving the impact of ongoing development projects.

In a strategic meeting with district officials, Brig Gen Muwanguzi urged leaders to draw inspiration from the successful oil palm model in Kalangala, emphasizing the importance of proactive leadership in overcoming local challenges and accelerating growth.

“We must remain united in our pursuit of government goals for social and economic transformation,” he stated, highlighting the relevance of the Four Cs—Command, Control, Timely Communication, and Effective Coordination as essential pillars for project success.

Resident District Commissioner Jacqueline Birungi described the visit as a much-needed motivational boost for local leadership and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to Uganda’s broader development agenda.

Chief Administrative Officer Mboogo Issa commended government initiatives for gradually transforming Buvuma’s economic landscape.

“Our communities are transitioning from subsistence to sustainable economic activities, with oil palm cultivation leading the way,” Mboogo noted.

He cited visible improvements in education, road infrastructure, safe water access, housing, nutrition, and clothing, attributing much of the progress to the oil palm sector. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including, Delays in landowner compensation, Slow disbursement of funds to smallholder farmers, Late payments to tenant cultivators plus Transport and logistics issues.

District Chairperson Adrian Ddungu Wasswa applauded President Yoweri Museveni for championing financial inclusion, which he said has amplified the effectiveness of government programs like OWC. He praised the collaborative spirit of OWC and recognized the commitment of the local coordination teams.

Since the launch of the oil palm project in 2019, Buvuma has so far planted 2,600 hectares out of a targeted 8,584 hectares. The first harvest, which took place in October 2024, marked a key milestone, offering hope for sustained growth despite the remaining hurdles.