Buganda Kingdom has urged young people across the kingdom to actively participate in agricultural training programmes aimed at equipping them with practical skills and promoting self-reliance.
Through its Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Youth, in partnership with Kabaka Foundation and Buganda Cultural and Development Foundation (BUCADEF), the kingdom organised a youth-focused agricultural training workshop under the theme “Omulimi Kkungwa.” The initiative seeks to inspire young people to take up agriculture as a viable and profitable venture.
The Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, delivered his message through the Speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko (Parliament), Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule, who officially opened the training session on his behalf.
In his message, the Katikkiro urged young people to embrace agricultural education to acquire professional knowledge and technical expertise.
He emphasised that such skills would not only attract them to crop and livestock farming but also enable them to succeed in the sector.
Mayiga further advised youth to begin with the small pieces of land available to them rather than waiting to acquire large tracts before starting.
Agriculture, he noted, has historically sustained many families in Buganda and continues to offer immense opportunities.
He stressed that any young person who starts farming early and remains committed stands to achieve significant success.
“You have received training today and learned valuable lessons, but this does not mean you should rush to implement everything at once. Crop and livestock farming are not easy undertakings. They require patience, planning, and adherence to the correct procedures at every stage,” Mayiga’s message read.
The Kingdom’s Minister for Youth, Sports, and Talent Development, Ssaalongo Robert Serwanga, who is also a livestock farmer and one of the facilitators, emphasised the importance of thorough preparation. He cautioned young people against rushing into agricultural ventures without proper planning.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kabaka Foundation, Eddie Kaggwa Ndagala, encouraged youth to shift their focus away from scarce white-collar jobs and instead invest their energy in agriculture, where wealth-creation opportunities are abundant.
He revealed that through various partnerships, the foundation plans to create additional opportunities for youth, including training programmes, study visits to successful farmers, provision of livestock, and other support mechanisms.
Similarly, the Executive Director of BUCADEF, Alfred Bakyusa, advised young farmers to diversify their income sources by engaging in complementary ventures that can strengthen their financial stability.
He urged youth not to underestimate agriculture but to explore the numerous opportunities within the sector that can generate income and drive personal development.
The kingdom remains optimistic that sustained training and partnerships will empower young people to view agriculture not merely as subsistence activity, but as a pathway to entrepreneurship and long-term economic transformation.
