President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni convened with leaders from Teso sub-region at State House in Entebbe Tuesday evening.
Leading the delegation was Mr. Calvin Echodu, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for Soroti West Constituency.
This session marks a follow-up to the initial meeting held on December 22, 2023, where President Museveni tasked the leaders with providing insights into household income, average landholding, viable enterprises, and government assistance opportunities within Teso. Additionally, he posed queries regarding the challenges facing the Fruit Factory in Soroti and the extent of grazing land in the subregion.
During this meeting, President Museveni received a comprehensive report from Mr. Echodu detailing the region’s challenges and proposed solutions. The President expressed satisfaction with the thorough analysis conducted by the team, promising to refine the report further and provide guidance accordingly.
Highlighted in the discussion was the imperative for Teso residents to explore dairy farming through cross-breeding local cows with Jersey cattle, considering the weather constraints on Friesian cows. President Museveni emphasized diversification of farming activities and encouraged poultry rearing, particularly beneficial for those with limited land.
Moreover, the President endorsed fish farming as a lucrative venture, suggesting government support in excavating fishponds for farmers. He also dispelled concerns regarding the sourcing of fruits for the Teju Fruit Factory, affirming that the fruits utilized are locally grown.
Mr. Echodu expressed gratitude to President Museveni for the opportunity to engage once more, highlighting the research conducted across Teso districts to compile the report.
Providing further insights, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina recommended the construction of larger dams to mitigate flooding and enhance fish farming opportunities. Ambassador Nelson Ocheger advocated for intensified efforts to attract private investors to establish fruit-processing factories in Teso.
The meeting also saw the participation of Hon. Sidronius Okaasai Opolot, Minister of State for Energy, and Mr. Patrick Ongodia, among other dignitaries.