Farmers in Buvuma District have appealed to the Buganda Kingdom government to establish a one-stop agricultural input facility on the islands, saying access to genuine farm inputs remains a major bottleneck to productivity and income growth.
The farmers argue that the absence of a centralised input shop forces them to travel to Kampala to purchase seeds, fertilisers and equipment — a journey that significantly raises their costs and exposes them to counterfeit or overpriced products.
Their appeal was made during a visit by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, who is touring the Buvuma Islands as part of the Kingdom’s mobilisation and development drive.
Mayiga began his tour at Kasaali Landing Site, where he met members of the fishing community, before proceeding to engage coffee farmers in Magyo and Bukwanyi villages.
Among those who addressed the Premier was Silve Waswa, a young and prominent coffee farmer, who said he is determined to dispel the perception that coffee farming is only suited for the elderly.
“I want to challenge the belief that coffee growing is for old people. Young people can succeed in this sector if they commit themselves,” Waswa said, encouraging fellow youth to embrace commercial agriculture.
He also urged the Kingdom to establish coffee nursery beds on the islands to make quality seedlings more affordable and accessible to local farmers.
Concerns were also raised about emerging tensions between Buvuma District authorities and the Buganda Kingdom over property management. Michael Mboowa Mbuubi told the Premier that although the Kabaka has initiated education support programmes in every county, misunderstandings persist.
He cited a recent letter allegedly written by the Busamuzi Sub-county Chief directing a Buganda-founded nursery school to stop using certain buildings, a move that residents say has created uncertainty.
Buvuma District Member of Parliament Robert Migadde called on residents to prioritise coffee growing at household level, citing strong international demand for Ugandan coffee.
“We should ensure that every household grows coffee. The global market appreciates the quality of our coffee,” Migadde said.
Buganda’s Minister for Agriculture, Hajji Hamis Kakomo, assured farmers that the Kingdom is working to improve access to agricultural inputs. He revealed plans to partner with Stanbic Bank to establish agricultural input shops, with the initiative set to begin this year in four Buganda counties.
Kakomo said the move will enable farmers to access quality inputs at more affordable prices and reduce exploitation by middlemen.
He further noted that the Kingdom’s flagship coffee campaign, Emmwanyi Terimba, has registered significant achievements over the past decade, including the creation of an estimated 1.5 million jobs and the cultivation of about 2,000 acres of coffee across Buganda, improving household incomes.
In his address, Mayiga urged young people to plan for their future by investing in long-term ventures such as coffee farming, warning that lack of preparation leaves many public servants financially vulnerable at retirement.
He also encouraged residents to embrace value addition in sectors such as fishing, education and the creative arts, saying transforming raw products into higher-value goods is key to strengthening Buganda’s economic position.
The Katikkiro further called on island communities to prioritise their health, particularly in the fight against HIV/Aids.
He urged residents to test regularly and know their status, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved with a population weakened by preventable diseases.
