Hundred of Indigenous Chief Executive Officers from the Northern Region of Uganda are expected to participate in the upcoming Presidential CEO Forum.
The Forum due to take place in the Acholi City of Gulu will also attract attendance by Development partners, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies including Political, Cultural and Religious leaders.
This is being done as a way of marking a pivotal moment in fostering private sector engagement and economic development for Northern Uganda.
The retreat was officially announced by State Minister for Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Fred Bwino Kyakulaga while addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala.
Kyakulaga says the retreat will focus on Economic Growth and Job Creation, Increased Agricultural Productivity and Export Diversification.
“With the Gulu Logistical hub for export, agro-industrial products can now be exported globally. This marks a significant milestone for the Northern Region and our Country overall”, said Kyakulaga.
He says focusing on value-added exports will reduce reliance on traditional commodities including Coffee which is slowly penetrating Northern Uganda.
“Think of coffee beans being transformed into packaged specialty blends or cassava chips making their way to international markets”. This is a question that Kyakulaga posed and answered at the same time.
Citing the examples of Gulu Fruit Processing Cooperative, Lira Rice Milling Cluster and Kitgum Honey Processing Unit, Minister Kyakulaga expressed hope in the coming together of farmers to establish a fruit processing plant, Farmers collaboration to combine their harvests and bee keeping recognition potential in Kitgum.
“The cluster has created jobs for women in rice parboiling and packaging”, said Kyakulaga.
All these being results of Agro-industrialization which in Uganda currently, is not a dream far from being tangibly real.
“By harnessing the potential of our agricultural resources, let us continue to invest in infrastructure, research, and policy frameworks that support this transformation. Together, we can propel Uganda towards sustainable development, ensuring prosperity for all”, concluded Kyakulaga.
According to the World Bank Report of 2019, Agriculture remains the backbone of the Uganda’s economy, contributing a quarter of the national gross domestic product (GDP) while employing 70% of the population.
The sector, however, is reported to be growing at a slow pace – way below its potential, with annual output growth at only 2% over the last five years.
Unfortunately, in comparison to the East African Community Member States, an annual output growth as high as 5% has been witnessed.
These are some of the industrial anomalies and economic disparities that the three-day Presidential CEO Forum is seeking to address.
It will be held under the theme: “Battle to Green Field: Transforming Northern Uganda into a Commercialized Production and Logistical Hub for Exports”.
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