By Diana Kintu.
A high-level delegation from State House has met with the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV, to explore new initiatives aimed at accelerating development in the Busoga sub-region. The meeting, which took place at the Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja City, brought together cultural leaders, government officials, and members of the Royal Family in a discussion that highlighted the Kingdom’s aspirations for progress in agriculture and education.
The delegation was led by Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, David Kenneth Mafabi, and Special Presidential Assistant, Nabirye Barbra Nana. They were warmly received by the Kyabazinga, accompanied by chiefs representing all 11 chiefdoms of Busoga, the Kingdom’s Permanent Secretary, its Finance Minister, and other senior officials.
At the heart of the discussions were two transformative proposals designed to address some of the region’s most pressing challenges.
The first proposal was the establishment of a Post-Harvest Service Law Centre. Mafabi highlighted that post-harvest losses remain one of the greatest obstacles to agricultural growth in Busoga, with farmers reportedly losing between 60 and 70 percent of their produce after harvest. He stressed that the centre would provide both infrastructure and training to farmers, equipping them with knowledge in handling, storage, processing, and value addition.
The initiative, according to Mafabi, would not only reduce food waste but also improve the quality of produce destined for both domestic and international markets. In turn, this would increase farmers’ incomes, strengthen food security, and stimulate the local economy. The project is also expected to complement existing government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), by filling critical gaps in agricultural support systems.
Nabirye Barbra Nana, drawing from her expertise in wealth creation, reinforced the importance of packaging and transportation in curbing food losses. “We need to ensure proper packaging and reliable transportation to preserve food quality and enable exports,” she said. Nabirye further emphasised that improving both the quality and quantity of agricultural output is central to poverty reduction in Busoga.
The second proposal presented was the creation of a specialised leadership school for children and young people aged between 8 and 18 years. The institution would offer a unique curriculum tailored to instil leadership skills, cultural awareness, and economic knowledge among young Basoga.
Mafabi explained that the school would serve as a platform to nurture future leaders capable of making meaningful contributions to both the Kingdom and Uganda as a whole. Supporting this, Nabirye shared educational materials she has developed, including children’s books on wealth creation and essential life skills for those under 10 years.
In his remarks, the Kyabazinga praised the proposals, describing them as “vital for Busoga’s progress.” He requested the delegation to provide a detailed concept note to enable a comprehensive review and practical implementation plan. He also suggested that modern technology, such as virtual learning platforms like Zoom, could help expand the reach of leadership programs and make them more sustainable.
According to a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, @KingNadiopeIV, the Kyabazinga said the meeting sought to “explore transformative development initiatives for the Busoga region.” He further pledged collaboration, noting, “We shall move together to concretise these ideas for the benefit of our people.”
The State House delegation, in turn, assured the Kingdom that they would expedite the process of finalising the proposals and ensure that the projects are implemented in partnership with the Busoga leadership.
This meeting is being hailed as a critical step toward addressing Busoga’s long-standing economic and educational challenges. By targeting post-harvest losses and investing in leadership development, the partnership between State House and the Kingdom has the potential to unlock new opportunities for growth, empower local communities, and secure a brighter future for the people of Busoga.