Children of former National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters have appealed to the government and President Museveni for increased agricultural support, including tractors, improved seeds, and additional land, to help expand their farming activities and improve their livelihoods.
The appeal was made during an Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Kyankwanzi District, which brought together children of former fighters, local leaders, and development stakeholders. The meeting was attended by several leaders, including Kyankwanzi District Chairperson Samuel Ssemugaba.
The beneficiaries said that although they have embraced agriculture as a pathway to economic empowerment, they continue to face challenges that limit productivity and profitability. They argued that greater government support would enable them to increase production and achieve sustainable development.
One of the organizations championing the welfare of children of former fighters is Kaziini Community Care Initiative Uganda, which was established to support individuals left vulnerable following the deaths of parents who participated in Uganda’s liberation struggle.
The initiative is named in honour of the late James Kaziini, who died on November 10, 2009. It was founded by members of his family and is currently led by his daughter, Juliet Kaziini.
Juliet Kaziini said the initiative was created after witnessing the hardships faced by many children of former fighters who lacked support and opportunities for self-reliance.
“We started this initiative after realizing that many children of former fighters were struggling to survive following the loss of their parents. We wanted to create opportunities that would enable them to earn a living and become self-reliant,” she said.
She revealed that the organization has secured more than 170 acres of land where beneficiaries grow maize as a commercial enterprise. The initiative also assists farmers in identifying markets for their produce.
“Agriculture has given many of these young people a second chance. However, we still need tractors, improved seeds, and additional land to increase production and make the project more sustainable,” she added.
During a tour of the maize fields, several beneficiaries shared testimonies about how agriculture had transformed their lives after years of hardship.
Some said they had previously struggled to survive in Kampala, where they relied on informal jobs that offered little stability. Many eventually relocated to rural areas and turned to farming as a more sustainable source of income.
Several beneficiaries currently reside in temporary shelters near the farming project as they work towards improving their livelihoods.
“We came here with very little, but farming has given us hope. Our goal is to fight poverty through maize growing and create a better future for our families,” one beneficiary said.
Another beneficiary noted that with adequate support, farmers could significantly increase production and contribute to both household incomes and food security.
Richard Bakadde, leader of the Community Farmers Network and a son of a former fighter, said poverty remains one of the biggest challenges facing children of liberation war veterans.
Bakadde, whose father was the late Capt. Ezra Nayoga, emphasized the need for collective efforts to improve the socio-economic conditions of former fighters’ families.
“Children of former fighters should not continue living in poverty. Through organized farming groups and cooperative efforts, we can create opportunities that improve livelihoods and promote economic independence,” Bakadde said.
District Leaders Pledge Support
Kyankwanzi District Chairperson Samuel Ssemugaba commended the initiative for empowering vulnerable communities through agriculture and pledged support from the local government.
“Projects like these demonstrate the power of agriculture in transforming lives. As district leaders, we shall continue working with stakeholders to promote modern farming practices and support initiatives that improve household incomes,” Ssemugaba said.
He encouraged beneficiaries to remain committed to agriculture, describing farming as one of the most effective tools for combating poverty and creating employment opportunities in rural communities.
The children of former fighters said their long-term goal is to eradicate poverty through commercial maize production and other agricultural ventures. They remain optimistic that with increased government support and access to modern farming inputs, they will be able to expand their projects, improve productivity, and secure a brighter future for their families and communities.