By Amiri Wabusimba.
The 39th anniversary of Uganda’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) Liberation Day that was celebrated in Mubende District, presented a reflective moment on the country’s journey since its liberation.
President Yoweri Museveni’s speech painted an optimistic picture, emphasizing the government’s commitment to economic empowerment and poverty eradication.
He stressed infrastructure and agricultural development as key to achieving these goals.
Yet, as Mubende’s local realities starkly diverge from the promises made, the time has come for a deeper examination of government priorities and their alignment with the needs of the people.
President Museveni’s address focused largely on fostering household economic growth through agriculture, manufacturing and ICT.
He underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure development, including roads and electricity, believing these to be central to stimulating rural economies.
The president suggested that a prosperous Uganda, characterized by thriving households and increased income generation, was on the horizon.
However, these promising words seem at odds with the harsh realities faced by Mubende residents, a district that historically holds great agricultural significance.
Despite the speech, Mubende grapples with severe land disputes, where local residents are displaced by powerful interests.
The government’s advocacy for household Income falls short of addressing the central issue: how can residents generate household income if their access to land is insecure?
A striking omission in the President’s address was the failure to highlight Mubende’s role as an agricultural stronghold.
While other districts, such as Serere, were presented as models of agricultural success, Mubende was conspicuously absent from the narrative.
This neglect not only missed an opportunity to celebrate local achievements but also reinforced a perception that the district was being overlooked despite its pivotal role in NRM’s liberation struggle.
Mubende, a district with a rich agricultural history, stood as a symbolic backdrop to the Liberation Day celebrations.
Despite its significant historical and agricultural contributions to Uganda’s liberation and development, the district was conspicuously absent from the list of awardees.
The absence of recognition for Mubende’s farmers, entrepreneurs, and local change-makers calls into question the government’s understanding of the challenges faced by local communities.
The omission highlights the widening gap between government promises and the lived experiences of those on the ground.
Despite the government’s push for agricultural production, Mubende’s farmers continue to face significant hurdles, particularly lack of market access for their produce.
While initiatives like the PDM aim to increase agricultural output, the lack of viable, sustainable markets for Mubende’s farmers undermines these efforts.
Farmers are unable to reap the benefits of their labor when there is no guarantee of fair prices for their crops.
Take, for example, the maize farming in Mubende.
While this presents opportunities, it has not necessarily translated into economic empowerment for local farmers.
With limited access to reliable markets, farmers are often forced to sell their maize at low prices to middlemen, rather than benefiting from a fair trade system.
To ensure that government promises of infrastructure development, such as roads and electricity, translate into tangible benefits, a more comprehensive focus on creating accessible local markets is essential.
Only then can farmers sell their goods at sustainable prices and achieve real economic gains.
To empower communities like Mubende, Uganda must adopt a more integrated approach to development, one that takes local realities into account.
The government must address the critical issues of land insecurity and market access through targeted policies and initiatives.
Strengthening market systems, promoting cooperative farming, and expanding export opportunities for high-value crops are vital steps towards this goal.
A more localized approach is key to addressing the unique challenges faced by districts like Mubende.
With the right focus on securing land rights, improving market access, and investing in local infrastructure, the promises of household economic empowerment can be realized.
The government must ensure that its development plans are not just abstract ideas but are firmly grounded in the realities of those they aim to help.
While the NRM Liberation Day celebrations in Mubende were a moment of national pride, they also revealed significant gaps in Uganda’s development strategy.
For Uganda’s future to be built on sustainable progress, the government must prioritize addressing the land insecurity, market access, and infrastructure needs that remain pressing issues in districts like Mubende.
Without these foundational elements, the dream of economic empowerment will remain distant for many.
Mubende, a district with such historical significance, deserves not only recognition in speeches but also a genuine commitment to addressing its challenges.
Only through targeted action and policy adjustments can Uganda’s promises of prosperity truly be realized, ensuring that the benefits of development reach every corner of the nation, no matter its history or location.
Uganda’s future must be one where all communities, including Mubende, are actively engaged in the nation’s growth story.
The government must move beyond rhetoric and embrace real, localized solutions that reflect the realities of its citizens.
Amiri Wabusimba is a diplomatic Scholar, Journalist, political analyst and Human Right activist. Tel: +56775103895 email: Wabusimbaa@gmail.com.
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