RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – The Director of the Rural Initiative for Poverty Alleviation (RIPA), Vincent Bamugaya Tumusiime, has urged farmers to start small income-generating projects to support their families and increase productivity.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Vincent Bamugaya, who also serves as a senior economic advisor in the Office of the President, made this call on Friday during a training session for farmers aimed at boosting family incomes.
During the training, which was meant to improve livelihoods, especially through livestock farming, Bamugaya explained that the meeting aimed to equip farmers with skills to manage livestock effectively.The meeting gathered feedback from farmers who have received goats and cows.
Participants shared challenges, and new applicants were informed about the “Animal Banking” project.The event advanced RIPA’s mission to empower communities socially and economically.
The organization works with families using methods that respect nature and culture, focusing on key areas including production, marketing, partnerships, micro-finance, and research.
Christopher Akampurira, RIPA’s Head of Strategy, highlighted that while Rubirizi District has a high population, it has less than 500 heads of cattle.
This has prompted RIPA to bridge this gap by promoting zero-grazing dairy farming and targeting 500 households in five years.
He shared worrying national statistics: 41.8% of Ugandans live below the international poverty line, 71.2% face food insecurity, and 76% live in rural areas where 73% of the workforce depends on agriculture.
RIPA Project Coordinator, Ms. Lion Kwesiga Rosebel Akiki Tumusiime, outlined the organization’s vision for the “sustainable alleviation of poverty in rural communities.”
She reported good progress so far, noting that over 70 families in Rubirizi are now benefiting from dairy and goat zero-grazing projects. This builds on last year’s support, which provided goats to 100 families and dairy projects to 30 families.
Tumusiime also set ambitious future targets, including a new poultry project to benefit at least 500 families and the creation of 11 supported youth groups in Rubirizi.
Furthermore, she aims to train young people in entrepreneurship and agribusiness skills, with a goal of impacting 10,000 people and creating over 500 youth jobs by 2026.
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