Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe in Rukiga Poverty Alleviation Drive

By Moses Agaba

Rukiga: Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe the Deputy Managing Director, Finance and Corporate Strategy at National Water and Sewage Cooperation is spearheading an initiative to uplift household incomes in Rukiga District through agriculture.

The campaign aims was to provide agricultural tools to 35,000 households with the distribution of hoes and pangas to encourage active participation in farming activities.

Maureen Kyarisima, the Personal Assistant for Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating that the distribution began in Kashambya Sub County and as it covered Rwamucucu Sub County, Mparo Town Council, Bukinda Town Council, Bukinda Sub County and it climaxed in Kamwezi Sub county of Thursday moving from village to village, with the goal of completing the distribution.

Kyarisima emphasized that the objective is to empower communities and enhance their economic and social well-being through increased involvement in agriculture.

She further says that previously, Dr Sylvia’s empowerment initiatives included providing planting seedlings, especially coffee seedlings, with the aim of supporting poverty eradication, as coffee is considered a cash crop.

She noted that during their interactions with the LC1 chairpersons of villages in the district, it was discovered that the information census dated back to 2014. This realization prompted the campaign organizers to conduct a fresh survey, identifying 35,000 households as beneficiaries of the agricultural tools.

Gerald Byamukama, a beneficiary, and Edrinah Nyeturize, the woman councilor for Highland ward in Muhanga Town Council, expressed gratitude for the timely donation of hoes and pangas, particularly as the cultivating season approaches.

They believe that these tools will significantly aid in garden preparation and contribute to increased agricultural productivity.

Residents who have benefited from the program expressed their appreciation for Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe’s gesture, acknowledging her commitment to uplifting the community, especially during crucial farming seasons.

It’s worth noting that Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe the Deputy Managing Director, Finance and Corporate Strategy at National Water and Sewage Cooperation has been actively involved in uplifting household incomes through strategic investments in agriculture. In September of last year, she flagged off the distribution of approximately 5 million coffee seedlings across the entire Rukiga District.