By Ricahrd Onapatum
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Vice President Maj. Rtd Jessica Alupo, in collaboration with State House, empowered farmers in Katakwi District with hybrid goats under the State House Poverty Alleviation Programme.
The Poverty Alleviation Programme is a government initiative aimed at reducing poverty by providing access to food, financial assistance, and basic essentials to households living below the poverty line.
In this second phase, 112 beneficiaries from Aketa Model Village in Ongongoja Sub-county, Usuk County, received 404 goats from the State House’s Poverty Alleviation Department. This follows the first phase on February 27, 2024, where 49 beneficiaries received 191 goats.
The programme identifies, trains, and supplies rural farmers in model parishes with goats, pigs, sheep, and other resources to improve their livelihoods. The Head of Department, Madam Joan Kakwenzire, highlighted Vice President Alupo’s support for implementing the programme in Katakwi District. She noted that the programme’s approach of providing tangible items has made a significant impact in helping vulnerable people escape poverty quickly.
Madam Kakwenzire expressed gratitude to Vice President Alupo for her leadership and authorization, allowing the programme to benefit Aketa Village. She emphasized the importance of beneficiaries maintaining and multiplying the goats rather than selling them. She encouraged a pass-on practice, where beneficiaries share their goats’ offspring with neighbors, fostering community growth.
Kakwenzire also stressed the importance of food security in Teso, leveraging the region’s ample land to prevent famine. She educated women on establishing kitchen gardens to provide nutritious food for their families and introduced her technical team, which will return to train the villagers on hygiene, home management, food security, and animal care.
Vice President Alupo, who is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi District, expressed appreciation to President Museveni for supporting the Poverty Alleviation Programme. Through RDC of Karenga District, Filbert Ocailap, she urged beneficiaries to embrace government programmes and protect the provided resources. She commended the NRM government for its focus on alleviating poverty through income-generating projects.
“In Teso, without cow dung or a kraal, you are considered a poor person,” remarked RDC Ocailap.
The next model parishes to be empowered are Arusiaakan in Ngariam County and Angodingond in Toroma County.