Diana N Kintu
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Ben Kumumanya, has officially opened a stakeholder workshop in the Greater Masaka Sub-region, calling for strengthened extension service delivery and improved management of agro-processing facilities to ensure the effective implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Addressing Chief Administrative Officers, Production and Commercial Officers, Extension Workers, MSME representatives, and technical staff from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Mr Kumumanya emphasised the central role of local government structures in transitioning households from subsistence production to participation in the money economy.
“Government introduced the Parish Development Model as a strategic intervention to move households from subsistence production into the money economy through increased production, value addition, commercialisation and enterprise development,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of frontline officers in guiding farmers and producer groups to adopt modern farming practices, access markets, and efficiently manage agro-processing facilities.
“Production Officers, Commercial Officers, Extension Workers and Input Dealers play a critical role in reducing post-harvest losses, creating jobs, increasing household incomes and stimulating local economic growth,” he noted.
The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the enormous agricultural potential of the Greater Masaka Sub-region but pointed to persistent challenges, including limited extension service coverage, weak market linkages, inadequate value addition, and low levels of commercialisation.
He said the workshop was timely in strengthening coordination, enhancing technical knowledge, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Mr Kumumanya urged officers to broaden their focus beyond production to encompass enterprise development, value chain strengthening, business management, market access and investment promotion.
“Extension services should not only focus on production, but also on enterprise development, value chain strengthening, business management, market access and investment promotion,” he stressed.
He called upon Local Government Accounting Officers to provide strategic leadership and effective supervision, while encouraging Production and Commercial Officers to integrate production and commercialisation within Local Economic Development frameworks.
Addressing extension workers and input dealers, he appealed for professionalism, integrity and accountability.
“I encourage you to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability in ensuring that farmers receive quality inputs, appropriate technologies and reliable advisory services,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and supporting local governments in the effective implementation of both the Parish Development Model and Local Economic Development initiatives nationwide. He also thanked private sector partners, including Brovad Hotel, for supporting the workshop.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the deliberations would contribute significantly to improved service delivery, enhanced productivity and accelerated socio-economic transformation in the Greater Masaka Sub-region.
“I am confident that the deliberations will contribute significantly towards improved service delivery, enhanced productivity and accelerated socio-economic transformation in the Greater Masaka Sub-region,” he said before officially declaring the workshop open.
The PS Representative, Mr. Namara Anthony, and other chief administrative officers together at Brovad Hotel Masaka
Commissioner for Local Economic Development, Mr. Namara Anthony, representing the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya
Source: Ministry of Local Government, June 2026.