President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled a new national initiative to transform his demonstration farms into centers of excellence for the 4-acre agricultural model, aimed at eliminating household poverty through structured, small-scale commercial farming.
The President announced on Thursday, 7th August, 2025, while addressing residents of Kityerera Parish at his State Lodge in Mayuge District, that the farms will not only demonstrate modern farming practices but also serve as distribution centers for free agricultural inputs to interested households.
“We’re going to develop this farm here according to plan, but at the same time, start giving materials to you people. Those who want coffee, pigs, chicken, or fingerlings for fish, we shall give them directly,” President Museveni said.
He reiterated the longstanding government recommendation of the “4-acre model,” a strategic plan that promotes diversification within small landholdings. The model prescribes one acre for coffee, one acre for food crops, one acre for fruits (such as mangoes, pineapples, and oranges), and one acre for pasture for livestock. Additionally, small backyard spaces should accommodate poultry for eggs, piggery, or fish farming, especially for residents living near wetlands.
“These seven activities can generate sufficient income for any homestead. If you do them well, you’ll not only escape poverty but also create employment and wealth,” President Museveni stressed.
The President recalled the genesis of his agricultural advocacy from the 1960s, when he and colleagues in the student movement began campaigning for homestead-based income solutions, contrary to political parties at the time, which focused mainly on power and leadership.
“You don’t sleep on roads or in schools or hospitals unless you are sick. You go back home, and poverty is waiting there with your wife and children. So that’s where we must begin,” he said.
He narrated how the strategy had been successful in the cattle corridor by 1995, leading to a transformation from indigenous to Friesian cows and boosting domestic milk production, which replaced imports from Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia.
This success inspired President Museveni to advocate for similar models across the country, including in the Busoga sub-region, although uptake has been inconsistent.
To underscore the model’s viability, President Museveni cited multiple examples of individuals who have embraced the approach and reaped significant rewards.
He singled out Joseph Ijala, a former taxi driver in Serere District, who started poultry and dairy farming on 2.5 acres in 2012. Ijala now sells 310 trays of eggs daily, earns over Shs 3 million per day, produces more than 300 liters of milk, and earns over Shs 1 billion annually retaining around Shs 800 million in net profit after expenses.
Another example was Nyakana from Fort Portal, who operates on just 1.2 acres. He sells 120 trays of eggs daily and earns over Shs 130 million annually in profits from poultry and dairy. His success has enabled him to employ 15 workers.
“These are people who simply picked two of the seven activities. Imagine what can happen if more adopt all seven,” President Museveni noted.
On the other hand, the President revealed that he bought the land in Kityerera with the vision of creating a zonal center that reflects the success achieved in places like Kisozi and the cattle corridor. However, he lamented previous management failures and promised a fresh start.
“We’re going to make this place a center of excellence of the 4-acre model, having all seven activities, including livestock and fish farming,” he pledged.
He advised against environmentally damaging practices like rice farming in wetlands, pointing out that fish farming in peripheral wetland areas is not only sustainable but also significantly more profitable.
“Fish farming can earn you Shs 66 million from just one acre with 8 ponds. That’s more than you can get from growing rice while damaging the environment,” Museveni explained.
He highlighted scientific advancements, noting that while most Banyankore farmers in Bushenyi harvest 5 tons of matooke per acre, Prof. Florence Muranga achieves up to 53 tons with proper management.
To support implementation, President Museveni urged residents to form SACCOs to access financial assistance and pledged direct government provision of inputs, especially for livestock and fish farming, similar to what was done in the Limoto Rice Scheme.
President Museveni reaffirmed his belief that small-scale, intensive agriculture is the most direct route to household prosperity.
“These seven activities, we have been telling you since 1996. Those who listened are now wealthy. Those who didn’t are still struggling,” he urged.
President Museveni also addressed community concerns over theft, especially livestock theft, which residents said hampers commercial farming efforts.
“We are enforcing the sub-county policing model. Each sub-county will have 18 policemen, and if needed, more will be added. Police dogs and surveillance cameras will help track criminals even if they flee in vehicles,” he assured.
Additionally, President Museveni hailed the people of Busoga for taking part in the protracted struggle that brought the National Resistance Movement government into power in 1986.
The President pointed out Bush war heroes such as James Mbigit, William Nkoko, Rashid Ntale and Sam Kasadha who were brutally murdered by former President Idi Amin for their sacrifice towards Uganda’s liberation.
According to President Museveni, Busoga contributed a lot to the prevailing peace Uganda is enjoying currently.
The meeting was also attended by key government officials, including the third Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga; the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, among others.
Rt. Hon. Nakadama thanked President Museveni for not forgetting Kityerera and the people who supported him during the liberation struggle.
She also praised the President for his vision, saying, “You told us that you don’t want poor neighbors, and that’s why you’ve brought us here.”
Ms. Janet Nkoko and her residents of Kityerera requested the President for support especially in terms of agricultural input and financial empowerment, a plea President Museveni responded to in the affirmative.
