HANDOUTS KEEP US HUNGRY, AGRO-INPUTS FEED US: BUSHENYI ISHAKA MUNICIPAL LEADERS ACROSS DIVISIONS GATHER TO LAUNCH PROJECTS FOR SUPPORTING PDM

By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante[MK]
In Bushenyi
www.mknewslink.com—
On a crisp afternoon on September 13th, leaders from Bushenyi-Ishaka gathered with great anticipation for a pivotal meeting that promised to reshape the agricultural landscape of households. The event was organised by Kweyunga Emmanuel Kifaaru, the visionary CEO of Keirere Green Africa Agency (KEGRA), a local powerhouse in sustainable development and agroecological innovation.
The grounds of KEGRA were filled with energy as community leaders, political candidates, and elders took their seats. At the forefront stood Emmanuel Kifaaru, flanked by well-nourished Hass avocado seedlings, tree seedlings, and coffee planting materials. He methodically outlined the proposed projects aimed at helping citizens earn more from Hass avocados and coffee, as well as from carbon projects. He urged those seeking political office to support agro-input and extension services for citizens instead of providing short-term handouts.
Mr. Kweyunga referenced the Late Hon. Arinda Gordon Cowboy, who entered politics in 2016 with a campaign focused on planting passion fruits, which significantly contributed to improved household incomes, even many years after his passing.
He emphasized that politicians should act as advocates for their voters’ household incomes rather than simply distributing cash handouts, which are often spent immediately after receipt. He advised politicians to invest in providing farm inputs like Hass avocados, coffee, and trees for agroforestry.
Hon. Joel Nkoore, the councillor from Mazinga Ward, spoke up: “We’ve waited long for this kind of leadership. Emmanuel, you’ve brought us a plan that respects our land and our people. We now view poverty as a story rather than a reality; we must plant and grow together.”
Opinion leader, commonly known as Mako, added, “This is the kind of innovation that makes agriculture attractive again. We’re ready to lead. We call upon those seeking voters’ support to back these initiatives and abandon the culture of cash handouts.”
Emmanuel Kifaaru nodded in agreement. “But we must also protect our communities. All these initiatives will align with the mission of agroforestry amidst crops and allow us to earn credits from the sale of compressed carbon.”
By the end of the day, the leaders passed a resolution to mobilise and engage the majority of citizens within the municipality before expanding to the other sub-counties in the district.
As the meeting adjourned, Emmanuel stepped outside to greet curious farmers. A banner fluttered above the entrance reading: “Hass and Agroforestry: Bushenyi Rises.”