Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called on religious leaders in the Kigezi sub-region to take a frontline role in promoting modern farming practices, saying their influence is crucial if Uganda is to achieve long-term economic targets, including growing the economy to USD 500 billion by 2040.
Tayebwa, who led a delegation of Kigezi religious leaders on a study tour of Kana Farm in Rwengaju, Fort Portal City, said Uganda cannot industrialise agriculture without first improving farming at the household and community levels.
“We have big dreams as a country… but before we industrialise agriculture, we must first get farming right, especially in regions like Kigezi, which is becoming increasingly densely populated,” Tayebwa said.
The delegation toured Kana Farm, a 1.3-acre enterprise owned by model farmer Richard Nyakana, who earns a net income of Shs17.2 million per month and employs 15 workers.
Tayebwa said Nyakana’s success proves that small landholdings can drive socio-economic transformation if properly managed.
He urged religious leaders to return to their communities and use their platforms to teach and inspire farmers to adopt modern techniques, noting that religious institutions remain “one of the strongest pillars of national development.”
“Religious leaders command great respect, and we believe they can inspire many others to embrace modern agriculture,” Tayebwa said.
He added that farming can also help churches and schools generate income and reduce dependence on tithes.
The tour followed a meeting months earlier between President Yoweri Museveni and Kigezi religious leaders, where the President urged them to champion economic transformation.
Tayebwa said the leaders’ willingness to engage in the learning visit demonstrated “real commitment,” and announced that the delegation would next visit a four-acre model farm in Kakumiro, where they will hold discussions on service delivery with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.