President Museveni on Friday told residents of Kazo District that sustained household prosperity depends on how effectively families use their land, cautioning that free-range grazing and the sub-division of inherited land continue to undermine productivity.
Addressing supporters during his campaign visit, Museveni thanked the people of Kazo for putting the National Resistance Movement’s wealth-creation message into practice, noting that the district has been at the forefront of dairy production and commercial farming.
He said the NRM’s “seven matafari” laid over the last four decades had created a foundation for progress, but warned that traditional farming habits were holding many families back.
“To maximise profit from land, you must embrace zero grazing,” Museveni said. “Free-range grazing wastes land. One square mile carries only 200 cows, yet with planted pasture, the same land can support over 500 cows.”
Museveni urged families to make better use of their acreage instead of leaving large parcels underutilised. He also cautioned against dividing land after the death of parents, saying such fragmentation reduces economic value and makes commercial agriculture impossible.
“Look at Nyakaana of Fort Portal and Joseph Ijala of Serere: less than 10 acres but earning well,” he said, citing them as examples of farmers who have maximised small holdings through intensive farming.
The President said Uganda’s growing milk and coffee production was proof that households that embraced Operation Wealth Creation, guided by the NRM message, were reaping results.
“Our milk and coffee production has risen because many Ugandans woke up, embraced dairy and planted coffee through Operation Wealth Creation. Let us continue on this path,” he said.
Museveni told the people of Kazo that sustained discipline in land use would secure long-term prosperity and create a strong economic foundation for future generations.