Why it is time to eradicate poverty in Busoga

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OPINION

By Amb. Agnes Kadama Kalibbala

1. Introduction

Busoga is endowed with fertile soils, a strategic lakeshore and riverine economy, an industrial heritage anchored in Jinja, and a deep pool of educated talent and yet household welfare stubbornly remains a problem because; the leadership of the region and Government are yet to come up with a comprehensive plan prioritizing poverty eradication, incomes are volatile (sugarcane dependence), human-capital losses remain high (early pregnancy and school drop-outs), and markets don't work for small producers (weak last-mile infrastructure, finance, and value addition).

However, despite the natural endowments and opportunities, according to the UBOS National Household Report of 2023/2024, Busoga remains the subregion with the highest poverty rate in Uganda, with 44% of the population living below the poverty line. This means that Busoga's poverty rate is significantly higher than the national average of 21.4%.

2. Background
   
   

Poverty in Busoga remains a complex issue, with far-reaching consequences for the region's economic growth and development. The region's economic potential remains largely untapped, with agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining and water resources sectors barely tapped and underdeveloped.

This is in stark contrast to what the region was known for; with Jinja as the industrial city of East Africa and the associated value addition and manufacturing of various products, as the leading producer of cotton, lint, edible oil, textile, as the centre for maize and ground nuts and the associated products and by-products. The region was making considerable contributions to national projects, the GDP, and extending financial support/ loans to some Commonwealth countries.

Busoga is also endowed with well-educated human resources, with a significant number of graduates and professionals who can be leveraged to drive economic development. However, these individuals require support from the Government to develop action-oriented strategies for funding and implementation.

3. Problem Statement
   
   

The status quo in Busoga reveals a complex challenge where poverty is widespread, deep, and persistently manifesting as low and volatile incomes, food insecurity in lean seasons, high youth unemployment, and poorer outcomes for women and children. While government and non-state programs (e.g., PDM, Emyooga, GROW, UWEP/YLP, community initiatives) operate across the region, their impact has been uneven due to gaps in targeting, weak value-chain linkages, and limited accountability for results.

Consequently, many households remain highly vulnerable to price and climate shocks, trapped in low-productivity enterprises/activities with limited pathways to upward mobility, compounded by mindset challenges which give way to complacency.

The poverty challenge is not uniform. Rural communities dependent on smallholder agriculture and fishing face the highest levels of deprivation, but there is also urban and peri-urban poverty linked to unrealistic wages paid by factories, the volatility of informal employment, and a high cost of living.

Incomes are concentrated in a narrow set of activities, especially sugarcane out-growing, agricultural commodities trade, petty trade, low-value services, and low-wage-paying factory jobs. This leaves households vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations, seasonal demand fluctuations, a low-wage trap, and the attendant problems.

Additionally, human-capital leakages (adolescent pregnancy, school drop-out, preventable disease burden) further depress productivity and perpetuate intergenerational poverty. Weak last-mile infrastructure, limited access to affordable finance and insurance, and fragmented delivery systems compound these constraints.

Without a focused, Busoga-specific agenda that addresses high-income enterprise selection, stabilises incomes, diversifies livelihoods, provides a living wage by factories/employers, and strengthens service and market systems, the region risks remaining a national poverty hotspot through the next planning cycle.

4. Current Initiatives and how they are contributing to poverty reduction
   
   

The Busoga region has several initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and improving the lives of its residents. Let's explore how some of these initiatives can contribute to poverty eradication. We highlight four self-driven initiatives that hold promise for poverty eradication in Busoga. These include:

1. The Sugar (Amendment) Act 2025: Sugarcane is now the leading cash crop in Busoga. Many people blame poverty in Busoga on overdependence on sugarcane as the primary cash crop.
   
   Until the President assented to the new law, the sugar/sugarcane industry was unregulated, with a pricing formula that focused solely on sugar and did not consider all the products and by-products realised when sugarcane is processed in determining the price of sugarcane. This left the farmers at the mercy of the factory owners in terms of setting the cost, which could drop at any time, hence negatively impacting household incomes and exacerbating poverty in the region.
   
   The new law now mandates that the Sugar Council investigate all these issues. The Council will comprise representatives from all industry stakeholders. (Also see Hon. Daudi Migereko’s article on “The New Sugar and Sugarcane Law” in the New Vision of August 2, 2025, and Prof Ibrahim Okumu’s article on “The New Sugarcane Law” in the Daily Monitor of July 2, 2025).
   
   
2. The sugar/cane industry Regulations are expected to set the minimum amount of land one must have to qualify as a sugarcane farmer. Those with small land holdings will be expected to focus on intensive farming in line with the four-acre model.
   
   Indeed, we would like to request that the Government develop a program to support these individuals with the necessary inputs and aggressively educate them on the benefits that can be derived from some of the selected crops and livestock. This will incentivise them to leave sugarcane growing but also guarantee them better returns on their investment.
   
   
3. Busoga Education Initiative (BEI): Improving access to quality education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. BEI has achieved notable success, including increasing access to education for over 10,000 needy learners in Busoga.
   
   By supporting poor learners in disadvantaged schools in Busoga, BEI, in partnership with well-wishers, is voluntarily striving to provide scholastic materials, supporting school feeding programs, and improving infrastructure, such as renovating or building new classrooms, and providing furniture and sanitary pads to needy pupils/ learners.

The support from Busoga Education Initiative (BEI) plays a crucial role in poverty eradication by:

1. Improving access to quality education: BEI has increased access to education for over 10,000 children in Busoga, equipping them with essential skills for future economic opportunities.
   
   
2. Breaking the poverty cycle: Education is a key factor in breaking the poverty cycle, as it enables individuals to gain knowledge, exposure, and acquire the tools and skills necessary for solving problems, securing better-paying jobs, setting up sustainable businesses and improving their socioeconomic status.
   
   

• Empowering communities: By supporting education, BEI empowers communities to drive their development and reduce their dependence on external aid.
  
  
  2. Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD): Promoting poverty reduction through improved agriculture and export-oriented production. The consortium has established partnerships with over 5,000 farmers in Busoga, promoting modern agriculture and diversification of agricultural practices, to increase the incomes of low-income homesteads and enhance food security.
     
     The projects being promoted by BCD include the soya-bean and chilli-growing projects, which were launched in partnership with the Chinese Government. The projects aim to boost economic development and improve household incomes in Busoga. By promoting the cultivation of soya beans and chillies on over 100,000 acres, the projects are expected to generate an annual export value of over $300 million. This initiative has the potential to lift households out of poverty by:
     
     

1. Increasing farmer incomes: With a guaranteed price policy, farmers will be able to earn over sh15 million per acre annually, thereby improving their financial stability.
   
   
2. Creating job opportunities: The project will generate employment opportunities in farming, processing, value addition, and export, thereby contributing to economic growth.
   
   

• Enhancing food security: By promoting agriculture and increasing incomes, the project will improve food security and reduce poverty.

However, BCD needs support to scale up its initiatives and improve market access to both national and international markets. Currently, it's promoting the export of soybeans and chilli to China, where it's expected to bring in significant dividends to the farmers involved.

However, the project's coverage is limited to a few districts, and there is a need to support farmers with affordable irrigation infrastructure, fertilisers, mechanisation, and value-added equipment to maximise production and productivity, as well as returns on investment. This way, these projects are likely to have a significant impact on poverty reduction.

3. Busoga Health Forum (BHF): Enhancing health outcomes through malaria eradication and other initiatives. The forum has achieved significant success in reducing malaria prevalence in Busoga. The Busoga Health Forum's malaria eradication project will significantly contribute to poverty eradication by:
   
   

1. Reducing healthcare costs: By controlling malaria, households will be able to allocate more resources to other essential needs, thereby reducing their healthcare expenses.
   
   
2. Increasing productivity: Malaria eradication will lead to improved productivity, as fewer working days are lost to illness.
   
   

• Improving overall well-being: By reducing the burden of malaria, the project will improve overall health and well-being, enabling individuals to participate more effectively in economic activities.
  
  
  4. Kyabazinga Initiative (KI): Leveraging leadership and influence to promote economic empowerment and health and socioeconomic development. The Kyabazinga initiative, led by His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, aims to reduce poverty in Busoga by addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancy, including poverty, lack of parental involvement, and limited access to reproductive health services.
     
     

The Kyabazinga initiative, established in 2023, has outlined strategic interventions to develop Busoga, aiming to reduce poverty. These strategies are to be supported by a consortium of UN agencies, including UNAIDS, UNICEF, and UNFPA, with a focus on education, health, and economic development issues, aiming to achieve a long-term reduction in poverty in Busoga. These include:

1. Reducing Teenage Pregnancy: By targeting the drivers of teenage pregnancy, the initiative will help decrease the number of girls dropping out of school due to pregnancy, enabling them to complete their education and secure better-paying jobs.
   
   
2. Empowering Girls through Education: Education is key to breaking the poverty cycle. By keeping girls in school, the initiative will empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure better-paying jobs and improve their socioeconomic status.
   
   

• Promoting Male Involvement: The "Abasaadha Ne'Mpango" (Men are the Pillars) campaign encourages men to take an active role in addressing teenage pregnancy, promoting a cultural shift towards greater male involvement in parenting and family leadership.
  
  

1. Addressing Poverty: By tackling poverty and promoting economic empowerment, the initiative will help reduce the vulnerability of girls and women to early pregnancy and improve their overall well-being.
   
   

Since the above five initiatives focus on education, Agriculture, health, socioeconomic development, community engagement, and cultural leadership, they contribute to a healthier, more prosperous future for the Busoga region.

The above four initiatives, therefore, demonstrate the potential for collaborative efforts to drive economic growth and improve education and health outcomes. The Government, thus, needs to support them by scaling up their efforts and ensuring that various stakeholders collaborate to reduce poverty and improve the lives of residents in the Busoga region.

5. Recommandations

In addition to strengthening support for the above initiatives, and to effectively address poverty in Busoga, it is recommended as follows:

1. Establish a Busoga Special Poverty Eradication Task Force; Create a multi-sectoral task force—housed in the Office of the Prime Minister—with clear mandates, timelines, and performance indicators to coordinate all anti-poverty interventions in Busoga. This body should consolidate existing fragmented initiatives into a unified Busoga Livelihoods Compact with quarterly public progress reporting.
   
   
2. Launch a Dedicated Busoga Development Fund (BDF); Set up a ring-fenced financing mechanism to resource high-impact community-based programs, including BEI, BCD, BHF, and KI, through results-based grants. The BDF should work with the public and private sectors, in addition to marshalling diaspora contributions, directly targeting interventions in the affected poor communities and enhancing investment.
   
   

• Development of Incubation Hubs and Industrial Parks (Jinja-Iganga-Kamuli Triangle): H.E. the President's decision to set up Incubation Hubs and Industrial Parks is most welcome. These facilities train and equip young people with vital knowledge and skills for self-employment. We appreciate what has been put in place. We, however, need more incubation hubs and industrial parks to drive economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship in Busoga.
  
  

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and non-governmental organisations specialising in this sector, such as the African Women in Production (AWIP), should take the lead in supporting Busoga in establishing these hubs that would help the poor gain employment through industrialisation.

The hubs/parks should integrate skills bootcamps linked to employers, common-user facilities, and clean energy solutions to ensure job readiness and sustainable operations. At the same time, the graduates produced by this program will need to be supported with start-up capital.

1. Foster Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to Crowd in Capital and Know-How: Facilitate partnerships with private investors to build and manage cold-chain networks, processing and manufacturing facilities, plus feeder-road corridors using performance-based contracts. Such PPPs should be tied to local supplier development, youth apprenticeship programs, and measurable targets for reducing post-harvest losses to drive economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship in Busoga.
   
   
2. Tailor and Scale National Programs to Regional Realities: Enhance the targeted implementation of government-supported programs such as GROW, EMYOGA, PDM, OWC initiatives, and Youth Skilling initiatives in Busoga, etc., ensuring they are tailored to the region's specific needs and capacity. This can be achieved through interventions such as promoting crop-mix diversification (sugarcane, food crops, and horticulture), bundling weather-index insurance with affordable credit, using cash-flow lending models and e-vouchers for inputs, and linking agriculture to nutrition via school feeding programs sourced locally.
   
   
3. Education and Human Capital Investments: Expand initiatives to retain girl children, implement comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, and establish re-entry programs for young mothers. Provide school-linked feeding programs to enhance attendance and learning outcomes, while supporting local farmers and the private sector involved in processing and value-added activities.
   
   

6.0 Proposals for Government Support during the political season

During this campaign period for the 2026-2030 political era, it is proposed that the following initiatives should be prioritised for government support:

1. Establishment of a Busoga Development Fund to support poverty reduction initiatives in the region.
   
   
2. Setting up of a revolving fund to modernise and ensure optimal sugarcane production, value addition and manufacturing of products and by-products.
   
   

• Development and improvement of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, markets, and Internet capacity, to improve access to markets and economic opportunities.
  
  

1. Zone the area in line with activities or crops that yield the highest returns and guide, or support, the population to produce the same for the market. This should be in line with the four-acre model for those with small land holdings. Support for agricultural development initiatives, including provision of inputs, extension services, and market access for crops that give the highest return.
   
   
2. Establishment of incubation hubs and industrial parks to drive economic growth and job creation.
   
   

7.0 A call for action

Government must come up with a comprehensive plan to fight poverty in Busoga. This should be well spelt out in the NRM Manifesto. A focus on the interventions highlighted above should lead to a fall in poverty levels. Other regions appear to be getting significant support, which has led to a steady eradication of poverty in those regions. Busoga cannot continue to be ranked as having the highest poverty rates.

Tackling the poverty problems and being able to register the desired success will partly depend on the initiative and drive of the leadership in the region. Clearly, the task will be greatly eased if leaders with a transformative agenda who are team players can be supported to take charge of the affairs of the region.

The writer is the Chairperson, Busoga Education Initiative (BEI)