Farmers in Kyenjojo District are experiencing improved access to markets following the acquisition of trucks through the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, an initiative implemented by the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) with funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) through the Ministry of Local Government.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kyenjojo’s economy, but the district’s hilly terrain has long made transportation of farm produce costly and difficult.
Many farmers have for years struggled to transport maize and other produce from their gardens to processing centres and markets, often forcing them to sell at low prices to middlemen.
However, the situation is gradually changing after two cooperatives received trucks under the LEGS Project. Nyakatoma Maize Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd and Nyabubale Maize Farmers Produce and Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd in Butunduzi Sub-county each received a truck to support transportation of farm produce.
The trucks, branded SinoTrucks, are now being used to transport maize from farms to milling facilities and deliver processed maize flour to markets across different districts. Cooperative leaders say the development has reduced transportation costs, improved market access and increased earnings for members.
Bernard Owoyesigyire, the Chairperson of Nyakatoma Maize Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd, said the truck has significantly improved their operations and helped them reach markets they previously could not access.
“We bought this truck on March 2, 2025 at Shs152 million. Out of this money, we received Shs56 million from the Microfinance Support Centre as a grant and we added Shs95 million,” Owoyesigyire said.
“The truck has helped us access markets which we had not been reaching before. Members use it to transport their goods to the market at a cheaper price depending on the distance.”
Owoyesigyire explained that the cooperative, which also operates a maize milling machine, now uses the truck to distribute maize flour to markets in districts such as Kasese.
“We have a maize milling machine and this truck helps us transport our maize flour to different districts like Kasese. So far we have saved Shs27 million from the truck’s operations and it makes about Shs2.7 million profit per month after paying workers,” he said.
The cooperative currently employs 15 workers at the maize mill and one truck driver. It has 495 members, including 288 women, 112 men, four persons with disabilities and 91 youths.
Owoyesigyire noted that before acquiring the truck, traders used to come directly to the factory and dictate low prices for their maize flour due to the cooperative’s limited ability to access markets.
“Previously, we did not have access to markets and traders would come to our factory and offer very little money. But now with this truck we transport our maize flour ourselves and sell it at better prices,” he said.
Bright Niwagaba, a 25-year-old driver employed by the cooperative, said the truck has not only improved the cooperative’s operations but also changed his personal life.
“I earn Shs600,000 a month and this money has helped me take care of my family and myself. I have three children,” Niwagaba said.
“I was a trader before getting this job, but now with a stable salary I have managed to invest more in my business and even buy a plot of land.”
Members of the cooperative also say the truck has reduced the cost of transporting maize from farms to the milling facility and eventually to markets.
Yudita Tushabe, a member of Nyakatoma Maize Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd, said the support has greatly benefited farmers, particularly women who form the majority of the cooperative’s membership.
“Maize and flour used to be sold at a low cost because transporting it was very expensive,” Tushabe said.
“But now with this truck we are able to sell at better prices because our SACCO helps transport our maize flour to the market.”
She added that women farmers have particularly benefited from the support.
“Women make up the biggest portion in the SACCO and we have really benefited, especially those of us involved in farming. We thank the Microfinance Support Centre for this truck and ask for more support,” she said.
Another truck under the LEGS Project was given to Nyabubale Maize Farmers Produce and Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd in Butunduzi Sub-county.
Peter Kanyomozi, the Chairperson of the cooperative, said the truck has solved a long-standing transportation challenge for farmers in the area.
“We received a truck under the LEGS Project worth Shs152 million. This truck has solved the long-standing problem of transportation because most people in our area depend on farming, especially maize,” Kanyomozi said.
He noted that the improved transport system has motivated more farmers to increase production and has also attracted new members to the cooperative.
“The truck has improved our membership and boosted farming because farmers now know that accessing markets is easier,” he added.
The cooperative currently employs two workers to operate the truck.
“We employ a driver whom we pay Shs600,000 per month and a turnboy who earns Shs500,000,” Kanyomozi said.
Officials from the Microfinance Support Centre say the trucks are part of broader support aimed at strengthening rural economic activities under the LEGS Project.
Williams Okweda, the Regional Manager of the Microfinance Support Centre, said the project has been implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government for the past five years in 17 districts across the country.
“The Microfinance Support Centre, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, has been implementing the Local Economic Growth Support project, popularly known as LEGS, in 17 districts with support from the Islamic Development Bank,” Okweda said.
He explained that the project has two major components.
“Component A is implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and focuses on community infrastructure such as roads, markets and processing plants. Microfinance Support Centre is responsible for Component B, which targets rural microfinance institutions such as SACCOs, VSLAs and agricultural enterprises,” he said.
According to Okweda, the programme has already had a significant impact on communities.
“Over the last couple of days we have been profiling the impact of this project and we have found that it has had a remarkable impact on communities. Numerous jobs have been created and people’s lifestyles have improved,” he said.
He added that farmers and fisherfolk in beneficiary areas are now earning more and are able to support their families better.
“We have visited fishing communities in Ntoroko, Bunyangabo and Kyenjojo and we can confirm that the project is on course. Many beneficiaries are now able to take their children to better schools because their incomes have improved,” Okweda said.
Under the rural microfinance component alone, the programme has injected significant funding into community enterprises.
“Component B comprised about 10.43 million dollars. In the mid-western region under the Kabarole zone, we have provided Shs8.123 billion to 134 projects benefiting over 25,000 individuals directly,” he explained.
Okweda revealed that the project has also recorded strong loan repayment performance.
“We have achieved a repayment rate of over 80 percent over the period of implementation,” he said.
Following the success of the first phase, plans are underway to expand the project.
“This has been a pilot phase which we call LEGS I. Because of its success, LEGS II is in the offing and will be rolled out to more than 55 districts nationwide,” Okweda added.