UGANDA: Why Poor yet Uganda Has One of Richest Soil in The World, Bishop Kibira Asks
Masereka Peter
The Ordinary of Kasese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira has wondered why the cost of living in Kasese district, Uganda, is still high with this rich and fertile land, arguing agriculture officers must not only warm the chairs but do their role of advising farmers on good agronomy practices and rearing of domestic animals.
Kasese district in the Mountains of Rwenzori is one of the area in Uganda with the richest and fertile soil that support the growth of crops like coffee, cotton, maize, vanilla and banana plantation as well as rearing of domestic animal among others.
During his pastoral visit to Kitswamba Parish during the celebration of the Parish Ninth Anniversary on 14th Dec 2022, at Kanyangwanje Playground the Journey that made Bishop Kibira the first Catholic Bishop to reach the last Church close to Rwenzori National Park that Boarders Fort-portal diocese.
In his speech, Bishop Kibira wondered why the cost of living in Kasese is still high with this rich and fertile land, arguing Agricultural officers not to only to worm chairs but do their role of advising farmers on good agronomic practices and rearing of domestic animals.
He asked the government of Uganda to monitor the performance agriculture officers at every sub county whom he blamed to the increased poor agricultural input and output in the district, after indentifying some areas with old coffee trees and poor managed banana plantation yet it is they role as technical people with advanced knowledge to guidance the general population on the best way of using the richness and fertility of the soil in the district
Bishop Kibira cautioned individuals against the Lhukonzo slogan of “ekithaka nikyethu” meaning the land belongs to us, but fails to use it productively for food production and improved livelihood.
He advised residents in Busongora County North to fight against teenage marriages and early pregnancies but invest in education for the future generation of their children.
Mr. Alfonse Katswamba, the chairperson Parish Pastoral council, asked the Bishop to lobby for a model primary school and a coffee hulling machine that will add value to both education and coffee production.
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