ONC Empowers Luweero Residents Create Wealth

Sulaiman Kanyike of Kigoloba Village in Lutembe Parish, Katikamu Sub-county received two goats, one male and one female, under the ONC empowerment drive in 2023 courtesy of Hajjat Namyalo Senior Presidential Advisor on wealth creation. Three years later Kanyike’s livestock project has grown to 20 goats, demonstrating the potential of small-scale livestock enterprises when managed properly. According to Kanyike, the project has become a dependable source of household income and has contributed significantly to improving the welfare of his family. Beyond livestock production, he has integrated the goat enterprise with his coffee and banana plantations, creating a sustainable farming system where crop residues feed the goats while goat manure is used to improve soil fertility and boost crop yields. “The support changed my life. I thank President Museveni for sending Hajjat Namyalo to empower local communities. People should embrace government programmes and trust the government because these opportunities belong to all of us,” Kanyike humbly said. He also appreciates Hajjat Namyalo’s continued monitoring efforts, noting that such visits motivate beneficiaries to remain committed to growing their enterprises. On amonitoring session to evaluate the impact of the project Namyalo praised Kanyike’s discipline and commitment, describing his progress as a clear demonstration of how government empowerment initiatives can transform household livelihoods when beneficiaries embrace hard work and proper management. The monitoring exercise also took Hajjat Namyalo to HK Beauty Salon in Modern Zone, Wobulenzi Town Council, one of the beneficiaries of two hair dryers provided through the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) empowerment program. The salon has grown into a skills development hub within the community and currently trains 15 learners in hairdressing and beauty therapy, equipping them with practical skills for self-employment and income generation. Hajjat Namyalo later visited poultry farmer Ms. Wasswa Liz, another beneficiary of the ONC empowerment programme. Ms. Liz received 200 chicks, poultry feeds and technical support, including follow-up visits by veterinary officers under the programme. Since then, she has expanded her poultry enterprise to 1,300 broiler chickens and now earns approximately Shs1.5 million in profit per production cycle. She said the project has greatly improved her family’s living standards, enabling her to educate her children and meet daily household needs without financial strain. “All my children are now in school and we are able to provide meals consistently. The market is available and with additional support I can expand to 3,000 birds,” she said. Liz credited the programme for helping her transition from subsistence living to commercial farming and thanked President Yoweri Museveni and Hajjat Namyalo for extending support to rural communities. Another beneficiary Tandeba John, has equally registered remarkable progress after receiving 200 broiler chicks under the ONC empowerment programme. Recognising the long-term potential of poultry farming Tandeba transitioned from broilers to Kuroiler chickens, a dual-purpose breed known for both egg and meat production. The shift has enabled him to diversify his income streams and build a more resilient poultry enterprise. Today, he keeps about 260 birds and earns between Shs400,000 and Shs500,000 per month from poultry-related sales. Tandeba said the enterprise has significantly improved his household income and provided him with a reliable source of livelihood. His main challenge, he noted, is limited poultry housing, which constrains further expansion. “I encourage young people to embrace such projects because they can genuinely fight poverty and create sustainable sources of income,” he said. While addressing beneficiaries, Hajjat Namyalo commended their commitment, innovation and prudent use of the resources they received. She said the success stories emerging from Luwero demonstrate that government empowerment programmes are yielding tangible results and helping households transition from subsistence production to participation in the money economy. “These stories prove that the empowerment drive initiated by the Office of the National Chairman is transforming lives at village level. When beneficiaries remain focused, disciplined and committed to reinvesting in their projects, the results become visible,” she said. Hajjat Namyalo further urged Ugandans, particularly the youth, to embrace government wealth creation initiatives such as the ONC empowerment programme and the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying they provide practical opportunities for individuals and households to improve their economic status.