At the beginning of 2023, we embarked on a journey to consolidate unity among the people of Busoga as a catalyst for the smooth implementation of our Regional 10-year Busoga Development Agenda (BDA). Through well-planned actions, we successfully brought on board several stakeholders to support the implementation of the BDA and slowly but surely start to rebuild the economic prosperity of Busoga. We coordinated the 2nd edition of the Busoga Prayer Week, which involved harmonized prayer activities across the sub-region and consolidated the much-needed unity.
The Consortium partnered with Huawei Technologies Uganda and the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to roll out the ICT Digi-truck project, during which over 500 artisans and students were equipped with basic entrepreneurial skills.
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We commenced engagements with the National Agricultural ResearchOrganisation (NARO) to initiate a food security, nutrition, and wealth creation
project in Busoga.
We flagged off 10 (ten) young people of Busoga for a 2 (two) years Diploma in the Chinese Language at Luyanzi Institute of Technology, Bweyogerere, on a full scholarship arrangement.
The Consortium also supported a select team of Busoga Local Government Political heads and women leaders to travel to China for a 3-week benchmarking and exposure visits on Poverty alleviation and rural transformation.
The Consortium further coordinated and hosted strategic transformational catalytic engagements on key transformational initiatives in the sub-region, such as Busoga University takeoff and Makutu Rare Earth Minerals.
In photo. Members of the BCD Ministerial Coordination Committee (MCC) take a group photo with the Busoga University Task Force after a briefing meeting on the progress of Busoga University on 2nd November 2023 at the Office of the President.
We negotiated and signed a 5-year cooperation memorandum of understanding with the China Agricultural University to increase the productivity of selected cereals and legumes such as maize, cassava, beans and soya beans.
The support from China will be geared towards piloting the Village Agricultural Model (VAM)
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In photo. Rt. Hon. Nakadama Rukia Isanga accompanied by Hon Princess Persis Namuganza presides over the signing ceremony to establish cooperation between BCD & China Agricultural University held at the Office of the President Kampala on 14th November 2023.
Director General BCD Mr Mula Anthony and Prof. Tang Lixia Deputy Director, College of International Development and Global Agriculture, China Agricultural University (CAU) exchanged MOUs after signing. At the same time, the Governor BCD on the right witnessed the MOU.
She supported the preparations for the Busoga Royal Wedding.
In photos. His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Kazimba Mugaru weds H.R.H the Kyabazinga with Queen Mutesi Jovia at Christ Cathedral Bugembe on 18th November 2023. Right. 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs Rt. Hon Dr Rebecca A. Kadaga takes a photo with the wedded Royal couple at Igenge Palace
Lastly, we signed a 3-year trade cooperation memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Liaoning Province, which gives Busoga select agricultural products direct market access. The initial products shall include maize, sim-sim, soya beans and cassava, among others.
From left. Busoga leaders led by Rt. Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama 3rd Dep. PM & Chairperson MCC- BCD Stake a group photo with the Vice Governor of Liaoning Province H.E Wang Jian as Mr Mula Anthony DG BCD exchanges signed Trade Cooperation MOU with the CEO of Liaoning Agricultural Products Trade Corporation Mr. Xing Jun on 12th December 2023 at the Civil Service College, Jinja.
Rt. Hon Dr. Rebecca A. Kadaga hosts H.E Wang Jian at her Office in Kampala. She is accompanied by Hon Gume Fredrick Ngobi Minister of State for Cooperatives, the Chinese Ambassador H.E Zhang Lizhong and the Special Envoy of Liaoning Uganda Cooperation Mr. Zhang Hao.
In 2024, the Consortium is expected to mobilise key stakeholders to start the implementation of the signed agricultural production and trade memorandum of understanding with China.
I, therefore, take pleasure in rallying your continued cooperation and support as stakeholders towards the actualization of our shared dream for an economic and socially empowered Busoga in 2024.
I sincerely appreciate the support from the Consortium Patron, Chairperson and members of the Ministerial Coordination Committee, Local Government Governors and the Secretariat for the efforts rendered to the people of Busoga through the actions of the Consortium. In particular, I appreciate the Government of Uganda, Development Partners, and Political, Cultural and Religious Leaders for standing with the Consortium agenda in 2023. We are beckoning on your continued solidarity in 2024 and the years ahead for “an empowered and prosperous Busoga”.
I wish you all a Happy Festive Season and Prosperous 2024
Busoga okwisaniana’ amani
The Village Agricultural Model is a very welcome idea. Which areas are selected and which crops? Is it a zoning approach?
thank you sir for your response ,the crops to be grown are maize, cassava, beans and soya beans. We are still conceptualizing the initiatives with hope that by the end of January complete information will be readily available on how VAM will operate. and please continue to follow us on media platforms for more details.