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State Minister for Local Government Victoria Businge Rusoke (in yellow dress) touring the sh 910m maize milling factor after commissioning it on Friday
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By Our Reporter
The Ugandan government, through the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) project implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, has constructed and handed over a state-of-the-art maize milling factory to the youth in Kyenjojo District.
The modern facility, valued at UGX 910 million, boasts a milling capacity of over two tons of maize per hour. It has been entrusted to the Kasiina Young Maize Traders Cooperative Society.
A new dawn for Kyenjojo youth
Julius Museveni, Chairperson of the Kasiina Young Maize Traders Cooperative, expressed optimism about the factory’s impact, emphasizing the opportunities it brings to local farmers and the employment it will generate for the youth.
"This facility brings hope and opportunities for our farmers, along with employment prospects for fellow youth," Museveni stated. He highlighted that the factory will significantly enhance the district’s agro-value addition capabilities, thereby boosting the local economy through the export of finished products.
Museveni also expressed gratitude to the central government and Kyenjojo District authorities for their strategic planning and prioritization. However, he raised concerns about the challenges posed by unstable power supply and poor road connectivity.
"The power supply to this factory is unreliable, and we lack a standby generator. Additionally, we request the government to provide us with a tractor to help cultivate new farming fields for extensive commercial maize production," he added.
State Minister for Local Government Victoria Businge Rusoke (in yellow dress) touring the sh910m maize milling machine
Praising government efforts
Geoffrey Kagoro, Mayor of Kyenjojo Town Council, commended the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for realizing its industrialization goals. He noted that farmers in the district have often been exploited by middlemen who buy maize at low prices.
"This factory presents a golden opportunity for all maize farmers in Kyenjojo to add value to their produce and earn better income," Kagoro said.
Youth empowerment a government priority
Asuman Masereka, Chief Administrative Officer for Kyenjojo, underscored the government’s commitment to empowering the youth. He described the maize factory as a transformative project for young people across the district. "The NRM government has consistently pioneered youth-centered initiatives aimed at combating poverty," Masereka remarked. He urged the youth to make full use of the facility, which the government has provided to empower them.
"I call on the leadership of Kasiina Young Maize Traders Cooperative Society to include more youth in their operations so that the factory benefits the wider community," Masereka said.
Call to action for the Youth
During the official opening of the factory on Friday, State Minister for Local Government Victoria Businge Rusoke urged the youth to strategically position themselves to benefit from government anti-poverty programs.
Minister Rusoke highlighted the various government interventions aimed at poverty reduction, including the Parish Development Model, the Youth Livelihood Program, and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program.
"You must change your mindset to align with government programs and interventions. Be united and set clear goals—short, mid, and long-term—that you aim to achieve," Minister Rusoke advised.
She also cautioned against resorting to moneylenders and commercial bank loans, emphasizing that the government has empowered them with a modern facility designed to add value to their produce and boost their incomes. "The government’s goal is to ensure that all Ugandans are integrated into the money economy and move beyond subsistence farming," Minister Rusoke said, echoing President Museveni’s longstanding message against working only for immediate needs.
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