President Museveni calls for action against Land Fragmentation in Teso Sub-Region

Katakwi District— President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged leaders in the Teso sub-region to address the issue of land fragmentation, emphasizing its role in hindering sustainable development.

Speaking at the home of Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, on Monday, November 18th 2024, President Museveni identified land fragmentation as a significant obstacle to progress. The gathering marked part of his regional wealth creation assessment tour, which commenced today in Teso.

President Museveni outlined how land fragmentation undermines wealth and development, especially when land is divided among family members.
“Every time the head of a family passes away, what they built up is divided and destroyed. A rich man’s children finish everything, but that’s not how the Europeans handled it,” he said.

Citing an example from Kabale, he compared managing land to a shared water pot:
“I told them, ‘I have five homes but only one water pot. Should I break it to share fragments? They said, ‘No, don’t break it. Bring water and distribute it among the houses.’ That’s how the Europeans managed.”

He also explained the four-acre model introduced in the 1960s to support small landholders and promote intensive agriculture as a sustainable solution.

Earlier in the day, President Museveni toured the Vice President’s model farm, which features poultry, piggery, fish farming, banana growing, and dairy farming. The farm serves as a testament to successful land and resource management, aligned with his vision for preventing fragmentation.

H.E. Alupo shared how her family manages their inherited land collectively, pooling farm income into a joint account to support their agricultural ventures.
“We have embraced the four-acre model and comprehensive agricultural practices,” she said.

Vice President Alupo detailed the farm’s achievements, including: Poultry: 4,000 layers produce 122 trays of eggs daily, generating UGX 433 million annually, Dairy Farming: Milk production earns UGX 30 million annually, with high-yield cows producing up to 35 liters daily, Fish

Farming: Three fishponds with Nile Tilapia and African catfish are expected to generate UGX 20 million annually, Piggery: Annual revenue from piglets reaches UGX 40 million, Banana Plantation: Solar-powered irrigation supports production, earning UGX 91 million annually and The total gross annual income from the farm’s enterprises is estimated at UGX 333 million.

President Museveni commended the progress being made in Teso and stressed the importance of local leadership in driving transformation.
“The problem of Africa is sleep. It is amazing how people can be asleep,” he remarked, urging leaders to take proactive steps to adopt sustainable practices.

The Vice President highlighted plans to establish a hatchery and provide free agricultural training for community leaders to enhance farming techniques and fight poverty.

The event was attended by family members of the Vice President, the clergy, Resident District Commissioners, District Council leaders, and other local leaders.

President Museveni concluded by reiterating his optimism about the socio-economic transformation in Teso, saying,
“I am happy to be here, and I want you to hear what Alupo is telling you. Together, we can achieve great things for this region and Uganda.”