By Diana.N.Kintu
With the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) project scheduled to conclude on 31st December 2025, the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi, has embarked on a series of field visits to assess the progress and real impact of the initiative. His tour takes him through the districts of Kibuku, Kumi, Nwoya, and Katakwi as he evaluates achievements, identifies remaining challenges, and collects recommendations that may inform the possibility of a second phase of the project. The findings are also expected to guide future government-funded programs designed to stimulate local development and improve household livelihoods.
The LEGS project has been jointly financed by the Government of Uganda, the Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, and contributions from beneficiary communities. It has been implemented across 17 districts with the aim of boosting rural economies through investments in water-for-production, rural markets, agricultural value-chain development, and renewable energy infrastructure. As the project edges toward completion, Minister Magyezi’s assessments highlight the visible ways in which these interventions are transforming communities and improving productivity at the grassroots level.
In Kibuku District, the Minister inspected the newly completed Kadama Weekly Market located in Kadama Town Council. The market sits strategically along the busy Mbale–Tirinyi highway, a route heavily used by traders, transporters, and local consumers. The facility is now ready for commissioning and is expected to significantly expand commercial activity in the area. Its dedicated livestock trading section has already attracted attention as a strong complement to the government’s Parish Development Model. Local leaders believe the market will generate substantial revenue for the town council while creating new opportunities for rural business owners.
Hon. Magyezi also visited the Buseta Milk Collection Centre, another notable milestone under the LEGS initiative. The facility has been upgraded with a 5,000-litre milk cooling tank, a farm tractor, and artificial insemination services, providing dairy farmers with access to modern agricultural tools that were previously out of reach. The impact of this support is already evident. The cooperative attached to the centre has grown from only 30 registered members five years ago to more than 200 today. This surge reflects renewed confidence among farmers who now see dairy production as a sustainable and profitable venture supported by reliable infrastructure and services.
In Kumi District, the Minister’s tour continued with a visit to the Kajamaka Earth Dam, one of the largest water-for-production facilities in the region. The dam, currently 89 percent complete, has a holding capacity of 250 million litres and is poised to improve farming, livestock rearing, and climate resilience in surrounding communities. The facility will provide a stable supply of water that farmers can depend on throughout the year, reducing their vulnerability to drought and enabling more consistent agricultural production.
The district has also benefited from localised water supply installations such as the Kanapa piped water system. Powered by a 1,500-watt solar energy plant, the system pumps 24,000 litres of water daily. It already serves eight parishes, a trading centre, and several schools. However, the infrastructure has been designed with enough capacity to support more than twenty parishes, demonstrating a long-term vision that anticipates population growth and increasing demand for domestic water access.
At the close of his visit, Hon. Magyezi urged both political and technical leaders in the benefiting districts to compile detailed reports documenting the project’s achievements, community involvement, and long-term sustainability strategies. He emphasised that these reports will play a key role in measuring success, identifying areas that require further support, and shaping the future of government-led rural development initiatives. According to the Minister, the lessons learnt from LEGS must be preserved and applied to ensure continued improvement in local service delivery and economic empowerment across Uganda.
As the LEGS project enters its final weeks, the government is positioning itself to make informed decisions about the next phase of rural development. Many communities have already seen transformation through increased agricultural output, enhanced market access, and improved access to water and energy services. The ultimate goal, the Minister noted, is to ensure that rural households are empowered and equipped to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s national growth agenda.