Kabaka urges on cooperatives

Kabaka Ronald Mutebi is carried shoulder-high by his subjects in Sembabule District during the 21st coronation celebrations yesterday. PHOTO BY Joseph Kiggundu

What you need to know:

Word of the wise. The monarch has asked that government promotes processing plants to add value to agricultural products.

Sembabule.
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has called for intensified effort to ensure that pro-farmers cooperatives are revived to propel good returns for farmers and ensure a thriving agricultural sector.

“We ask that there should be increased effort in the revival of cooperatives, right from the village to county level. We ask that cooperatives also do their job of advising the farmers and looking for markets with integrity,” the Kabaka stated.
The monarch was speaking during the commemoration of his 21st coronation anniversary held at Mawogola County (Ssaza) headquarters, Ssembabule District.

Kabaka Mutebi observed that processing produce is the surest way farmers can earn substantially from their sweat. Thousands of people thronged the Sembabule playground to witness the occasion characterised by fanfare, music, dance and drama.
The Kabaka, dressed in a white tunic (kanzu), draped with a leopard skin and backcloth, sounded royal drums (mujaguzo) on arrival. He was them carried aloft and moved around the venue waving at his cheering subjects.

The Nnabagereka (queen) of Buganda, who arrived a few minutes before the Kabaka, sat majestically in the royal tent where princes and princesses sat.
The Kabaka asked parliamentarians to support government’s plan of value addition on agricultural produce. “We continue to ask our friends, who represent us in Parliament and at other levels, to advise government to procure machines that process juice from fruits and other plants that are grown in the communities. This is how every farmer can benefit from his work,” the Kabaka said.

He also appealed to the leaders to encourage people to love farming. He said Buganda was keen on implementing a zoning programme where residents of each of the 18 counties would grow crops that flourish best where they stay.

Katikiiro speaks
Buganda’s Premier Charles Peter Mayiga thanked the Kabaka for having sailed Buganda through the 21 years since his coronation. He cautioned Saza (county) chiefs not to wait for Mengo to assist them in managing the different properties of the kingdom within the counties. H e also handed over instruments of power to the newly appointed Mawogola county chief Felix Kabajo.