Kamuli — Leaders in Busoga Sub-region are scheduled to launch a soya milk school feeding and digital learning program targeting government primary schools, in a move aimed at improving academic performance by addressing, performance, malnutrition and limited access to modern learning tools.

The program is being implemented by the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) in partnership with China Agricultural University and Busoga Kingdom and Busoga Local Governments.  The program is one of initiatives under the Village Agriculture Model Program launched by the Vice President of Uganda on 4 August 2024 in Namayingo District. According to the leadership of the BCD, the initiative will start with government primary schools in model villages across the 12 local Governments in Busoga before spreading it across the entire Busoga.  The program combines school feeding, agriculture production and digital learning support to improve education outcomes.

Feeding programme rollout

Under the program, 20 soya milk processing machines have been acquired and will be installed in selected government schools to process soya milk for learners. The feeding initiative will be supported by local farmers growing soya beans, while schools have been encouraged to allocate at least two acres of land for soya cultivation in school gardens. Unvailing the program to Busoga leaders at Kamuli District headquarters, BCD Director General Dr Anthony Mula said the initiative is intended to position education as a driver of poverty reduction and economic transformation in line with Uganda Vision 2030. He said the success of the program will lead to sharing of experiences with the rest of the Country for benchmarking.

Poor nutrition affects learning

Education and health stakeholders say poor nutrition remains a major challenge in Busoga. In some areas, stunting among children under five is estimated at up to 46 per cent, while only about one-third of learners in comparable rural settings access regular meals at school. Kamuli District chairperson Ms Sarah Sambya asked farmers to invest more in soya bean production instead of sugarcane, citing its ready market and nutritional value.

Sugarcane dominance linked to education challenges

Despite being one of Uganda’s fertile regions, large parts of Busoga are dominated by sugarcane farming, which stakeholders say has affected household food production.

Education experts say in some sugarcane growing areas, children miss school seasons to work in plantations, contributing to poor academic performance. Recent Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) trends have highlighted the challenge, with some areas registering very few top performers, including cases where some districts fail to register even a minimum of 10 Aggregate 4’s.

Regional education data shows that only about 41 per cent of learners complete primary school, while completion drops to about 7.2 per cent at O-Level and 2.8 per cent at A-Level, reflecting high dropout rates. Literacy levels are also below national averages, with estimates placing Busoga’s literacy rate at about 71 per cent.

Digital learning support

In addition to feeding, BCD has is scheduled to flag off digital learning support in selected rural schools. Working with Hisense Uganda and Chinese development partners, the BCD has distributed 50 digital screens, cameras and internet connectivity kits to support online and digital learning. The program is expected to be launched by the Minister of Education and Sport of Uganda.

Expansion planned

Following the analysis of poor-performing districts, BCD has pledged to extend the Village Agriculture Model Programme to all model villages in Busoga. As schools resume this academic term, the BCD -CAU soya feeding programme is expected to begin under monitoring by the Ministry of Education and Sports through the District Education Officers, Busoga Kingdom Ministries of Education and Agriculture, and implementing partners.

Leaders back the initiative

The school feeding program has received support from First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, who has in the past encouraged Government of Uganda, China Agricultural University and other BCD development patners to support the initiative.  Kaliro District Production Agricultural Officer Mr Tinkamanyiire Charles asked BCD to prioritize Kaliro District, citing growing demand among farmers for alternatives to sugarcane.

Officials say the program is expected to improve nutrition, increase school attendance and improve learning outcomes in the region

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At the BCD, we received the sad news of the demise of Rt. Rev Charles Wamika which occurred on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 with great tremor. Death has indeed robbed Jinja Diocese and Ugandans in general, of one of its celebrated spiritual shepherds who, during his life time, worked hard to improve the social, economic and spiritual status of his flock; and the people of Busoga in general.

Bishop Charles Wamikahas lived a full life and I strongly believe that he has served humanity to the best of his ability. He has been known to serve his church diligently and with great humility. His zeal to amplify the dissemination of the word of God through education, preaching, call for unity and infrastructure development was UNMATCHED not only in Jinja Diocese but across all points of his tour of service. He thus preached, and lived the gospel by example and not words. At some point, illness kept him away from his flock causing a lot of anxiety among us as believers who passionately wished to have him available all the time which inevitably couldn’t be possible.

During this moment of pain and sorrow, I join everybody to celebrate the 14 years of priesthood and 32 years as Bishop for the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Charles Wamika.

Uganda and the Catholic Church will forever celebrate the late bishop’s historic presiding over of the June 3rd, 2023 Namugongo Martyrs Day that has since been rated among the very BEST Martyrs Day commemorations since 1975 when the Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine at Namugongo was opened. Equally, the BCD will always remember the late bishop’s role in the founding of the BUSOGA PRAYER WEEK that commenced in July 2022 and has since become a key an annual program on the BCD calendar. As we prepare to send him off, let us beseech the Almighty God to receive and reward him abundantly.

On behalf of the BCD and my own behalf, I convey to the Family as well as the Catholic Fraternity of Jinja Diocese and Uganda at large, my deepest condolences.

As we send off our fallen spiritual shepherd, I enjoin you to find solace in these Biblical words:

_“I am the resurrection and life, whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live forever” John 11:25_

May the Soul of the deceased rest in eternal peace.

For God and my Country.

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The Busoga region is set to host a high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China’s Shandong Province, led by Vice Governor H.E. Wen Nuan, for the official signing of a Cooperation Agreement with the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD).

The signing ceremony will take place on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Civil Service College, Jinja City, marking a major milestone in Busoga’s efforts to build international development partnerships.

Speaking during a press briefing this morning, Mr. Mula Anthony, the Director General of the Busoga Consortium for Development, underscored the relevance of the visit, describing it as a “gateway to deeper cooperation in trade, education, agriculture, and technology transfer.”

“This partnership demonstrates Busoga’s readiness to engage with global partners to achieve shared growth and development. It represents a new chapter of opportunity for the people of Busoga,” Mr. Mula emphasized.

A Partnership Rooted in Royal Diplomacy

This visit follows the July 2024 royal and government visit to China, led by His Majesty, the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, together with the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama.

During that visit, the Busoga delegation held bilateral discussions with several Chinese provinces, including Shandong, laying the groundwork for cooperation in industrial growth, education, and agricultural transformation.

The arrival of the Shandong Vice Governor and his ten-member delegation in Uganda today is a direct outcome of those initial engagements, and a testament to the cordial relationship that has since flourished between the Busoga Consortium and Shandong Province.

About the Signing Ceremony

The Governor of the Busoga Consortium, Bishop Frank Tibagendeka, will sign the cooperation agreement on behalf of Busoga, while Vice Governor H.E. Wen Nuan will sign on behalf of Shandong Province.

The function will be graced by the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Dr. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Patron of BCD and First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, along with Rt. Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Third Deputy Prime Minister, ministers, members of parliament, Busoga Kingdom officials, district leaders, schools, Masaza tournament teams, and the general public.

About Shandong Province

Located in eastern China, Shandong Province borders Beijing and Tianjin to the north and Shanghai to the south.

It has a land area of 154,300 square kilometers, a sea area of 158,600 square kilometers, and a population exceeding 100 million people.

Shandong hosts 36,000 schools, 161 higher institutions, and 22 million students, and it’s home to over 10,000 agro-processing enterprises.

The province’s economy is among the most advanced in China, with a GDP of USD 1.39 trillion in 2024, ranking third nationally, and total imports and exports valued at USD 475.16 billion.

Building the Future Together

The cooperation between Busoga and Shandong Province aims to promote industrial growth, agricultural modernization, trade, cultural exchange, and skills transfer, aligning with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Busoga Regional Transformation Agenda.

“This visit reflects the fruits of diplomatic engagement initiated by the Kyabazinga’s 2024 mission to China Okay confirms that Busoga is on the global map for progressive partnerships,” Mr. Mula concluded.

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The 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Patron of the Busoga Consortium for Development, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga hosted a high-level delegation from Liaoning Province, China, led by H.E. Hon. Yu Tianmin, Vice Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Liaoning Law Society on Thursday 12^th December 2024.

This visit was a follow-up to the July 2024 official visit by a Uganda-Busoga delegation to Liaoning Province, led by His Royal Highness William Gabula Nadiope IV, the Kyabazinga of Busoga, and Uganda’s 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Hajjat Nakadama Rukia Isanga that resulted into the establishment of bilateral relations between the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) and Liaoning Province. The Busoga-Liaoning cooperation became the 1^st Provincial Cooperation under the China Africa Cooperation framework.

The landmark agreement was signed by Mr. Wakaze Simon, the former Governor of the Busoga Consortium for Development and current District Chairperson of Luuka Local Government, on behalf of the Busoga Consortium Province.

During the meeting held the Ministry of East African Community Affairs at Kingdom Kampala plaza, Kadaga commended the role of Chinese companies and institutions in advancing Uganda’s Business, infrastructure and service sectors. She highlighted some of the significant projects such as the ongoing redevelopment of Entebbe International Airport, the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Mandela National Stadium, and Karuma Power Dam, among others supported by Chinese friends and Government.

“The established provincial cooperation between the Busoga Consortium and Liaoning Province should enable us to leverage the existing diplomatic and bilateral relations to identify and implement key projects that will further strengthen Uganda-China and Africa-China relations to benefit our people,” she stated.

As a means to enhancing investment and trade relations between Busoga and Liaoning Province as well as China Uganda Cooperation, Kadaga proposed the establishment of the China-Uganda International Trade Facilitation Centre in Jinja City. She said “the Trade Facilitation Centre will be a one stop—stop facility to promote and strengthen bilateral trade between Uganda and China. The centre will work to simplify export and import polices, drive the automation of cross-border trade and transport, and bring ordinary Ugandans into the export-Import eco-system.  The Trade Facilitation Centre will also support the tail-end realization and entry of the Busoga Consortium’s Village Agricultural Model agro-products and other products into the Chinese markets”.

Dr. Mula Anthony, Director General of the Busoga Consortium, provided a brief overview of the organization, noting its formation in April 2017 as a provincial body working closely with Local Governments, Busoga Kingdom and all stakeholders of Busoga to steer socioeconomic transformation.

In his remarks, H.E Hon Yu Tianmin thanked Rt. Hon. Kadaga for the proposal made and promised to present them before the Provincial leadership for consideration.

Hon. Yu highlighted the Liaoshing Industrial Park as a beacon of unity between Uganda and China. He outlined plans to further develop the park by attracting more investors from Liaoning Province, emphasizing its role as a hub for Uganda-China industrial collaboration.

He expressed gratitude to Mr. Zhang and the Chinese Embassy in Uganda for their pivotal role in fostering bilateral relations and highlighted the ongoing provincial-level cooperation as the first of its kind, underlining sincerity in areas such as agriculture, trade, and cultural exchange.

The meeting was attended among others by Hon. Namuganzi Persis (State Minister for Housing), Hon. Kisa Stephen (MP for Luuka South and Chairperson of the Busoga Prayer Week Organizing Committee), Mr. Maxwell Kuwebula (Vice Governor, Busoga Consortium), and Mr. Zhang Hao (Goodwill Ambassador, Liaoning-Uganda Cooperation).

 Strengthening Educational and Economic Ties 

The Liaoning delegation later in the afternoon proceeded to Makerere University to renew cooperation with Makerere University. At Makerere, the delegation was received by Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs.

The focus of the meeting was on fostering academic collaboration between Liaoning University of Traditional Medicine and Makerere University in the fields of student and tutor exchanges, joint research and publications, innovation, health sector development, among others.

In his message, H.E Yu Tianmin introduced Liaoning Province and Liaoning University of Traditional Medicine to Prof. Buyinza and renewed that commitment of Chinese Government to promoting the cooperation in line with President Xi’s recently declared 10 Partnership Action points for deepening China Africa Cooperation at the September 2024 Forum on China Africa Cooperation Summit (FOCAC).

Prof. Buyinza welcomed H.E Hon. Yu Tianmin to Makerere University and extended appreciation to the Busoga Consortium leadership for the contributions being made towards the development of Busoga. He noted that the offing cooperation between Makerere University and Liaoning University of Traditional Medicine will contribute to the needed human resource development desired to lead the transformation of Busoga. He said that Makerere University was in the process of establishing a substantive campus in Jinja City that will give a significant boost to Busoga’s development aspirations.

Hon. Yu Tianmin expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and emphasized the sincerity of Liaoning Province in strengthening cooperation in the fields of agriculture, trade, and people-to-people engagements. He highlighted the importance of the Uganda-Liaoning Industrial Park as a symbol of unity and pledged to attract more investors from Liaoning Province.

He urged Busoga to support ongoing projects such as the Wagagai gold mining initiative in Busia and copper mining at Kilembe, emphasizing the mutual benefits of these ventures.

“This cooperation reflects China’s commitment to enhancing its ties with Africa, as reaffirmed by President Xi Jinping during the September FOCAC meeting. The people-to-people collaborations will be instrumental in shaping the future of our partnership,” he stated.

The delegation’s visit marks a significant milestone in Uganda-China relations, with Busoga playing a pivotal role as a bridge for provincial-level collaboration.

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Thousands of Basoga gathered at Luuka Ceremonial Grounds on October 20, 2024, to close the Busoga Prayer Week, which ran from the 14th to the 20th of October.

H.E. the President of Uganda, serving as the Chief Guest, delegated the Prime Minister to deliver his speech, urging religious leaders in Busoga to promote development as they guide their followers.

The third edition of the Busoga Prayer Week concluded with a mass gathering at Luuka Ceremonial Grounds, drawing attendance from Ministers, Members of Parliament, District Chairpersons, Busoga Royal Chiefs, and leaders from the Busoga Inter-Religious Council, alongside representatives from schools and community organizations.

The program commenced with prayers and a sermon from the main celebrant, Bishop Hanington Suubi of the East Busoga Diocese, who emphasized the importance of fostering wholesome families that fear the Lord, as well as the need for unity and cohesion among leaders in Busoga.

Hon. Kisa Steven, Member of Parliament for Luuka South and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, called on the government to adopt the Busoga Prayer Week as a national initiative.

The Director General of the Busoga Consortium for Development, Mr. Anthony Mula, highlighted the importance of the program’s objectives and urged the government to adopt the Busoga Development Agenda (BDA) Concept as a framework for regional development.

Among those who attended were the Busoga Royal Chiefs led  by the  Isabalangira (Head of Chiefs) of Busoga Kingdom who doubles as the  Bugweri Royal Chief, HRH Nkutu Samuel Zirabamuzaale and  these included Prince Zibodo from Bulamogi Chiefdom, Prince Walugembe Fredrick from Butembe Chiefdom, Prince Tabingwa Nabwana from Luuka Chiefdom, Prince Nabongeho Yololimu from Busiki Chiefdom, Prince Muzamilu Nkwighe from Bunanhumba Chiefdom, Prince Isabirye Joseph from Bukhooli Chiefdom, HRH Prince Chris Mudoola from Kigulu Chiefdom, Prince Woira Henry Chief from Bugabula B.B Chiefdom, Prince Mukajjanga from Bunha Chiefdom, Prince Godfrey Mutyaba Nkono from Bukono Chiefdom

Owek. Muvawala, the Prime Minister of the Busoga Kingdom, encouraged the people of Busoga and religious leaders to embrace their culture and prioritize local texts written in Lusoga.

Similarly, Minister for Presidency Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among the Basoga.

In addition to the prayer week activities, 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Nakadama Rukia Isanga shared testimony about the positive outcomes of such engagements in Busoga. She recognized the role of H.E. Maj. Jessica Alupo Vice President of Uganda in steering Busoga’s Regional Cohesion and transformation.  She encouraged the people of Busoga to embrace the Village Agricultural Model initiative noting that it was in line with Government household transformation agenda.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rt. Hon. Dr. Rebecca Kadaga, expressed dissatisfaction on the way government continues to treat the fishing community of Busoga particularly those living along the rivers who rely on fishing for their livelihoods.

She noted that this mistreatment has negatively impacted support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the region. Appealed for a special program to economically resettle the disposed fishing communities who depended on the activity for livelihood.

Dr. Kadaga thanked government for securing money for the construction of the Walugogo-Busalaamu-Nakabugu-Bulopa-Kamuli Road, Ambercourt, Mbulamuti road, among others. However,  she noted that Government had no money for compensation of people who encroached on road reserves. She encouraged all leaders and people of Busoga to embrace and support the commencement of the projects to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja who represented H.E the President expressed appreciation to the organizers for prioritizing prayer as a cornerstone of regional development.

The President urged religious leaders and all Basoga to foster development alongside their church activities.

The program concluded with the ceremonial transition of leadership, as the Busoga Consortium installed a new Governor Bishop Frank Tibagendeka District Chairperson Mayuge, who took over from Mr. Wakaze Simon of Luuka.

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