LUUKA. The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) flag-bearer Presidential candidate Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu has assured voters in Busoga sub region that his government if elected next president will prioritise expanding the economy to generate jobs for youth and women.
“Busoga, with its fertile land, rare earth minerals and abundant water resources, has immense agricultural potential but lacks government will to expand the economic avenues to lift its people out of poverty,” Muntu said while addressing a campaign rally at Kyanvuma trading centre, Magada ward, Kyama town council in Luuka district on December 11, 2025.
Muntu said there is a need to transform Uganda’s economy, focusing on agriculture, agro-processing and tourism to create employment opportunities.
“Forget about jobs for the youth and women if the Government does not have the will to expand the economy in whatever you are producing for food and money. You have been growing sugarcane for decades, but you have never come out of poverty because you are not empowered to add value to your sugarcane,” he said.
There has been a monopoly in the sugar market, and the existing government policies do not support you to start your own factories and market your own products to compete with investors who have monopolised the sugar industry, he added.
“We will prioritise constructing skilling centres in every district in Busoga sub-region to equip our youth with market-relevant skills, enabling them to participate in the economy. I will set up co-operative movements to revise prices of sugar and guard against exploitation and monopoly,” Muntu emphasised.
He added that his government would revive co-operative structures and establish a co-operative bank to support farmers and improve rural livelihoods.
Muntu said his vision is to add value to agricultural produce, creating jobs and increasing household incomes.
“We will establish a separate fund to provide cheap credit to farmers and allocate 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture,” he said.
Local leaders express concern over growing poverty levels.
The region has long struggled with poverty, and leaders are calling for inclusive growth and job creation.
Local leaders in Busoga expressed concern over the high levels of poverty in the region, citing limited access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Speaking at a campaign rally, Farouk Musasira, the area chairperson for Kyanvuma cell, urged the government to prioritise Busoga in national development plans, emphasising the need for infrastructure development, including roads and electricity.
“We are lagging compared to other regions in terms of development,” Musasira said. “We need the Government to invest in our people and infrastructure to improve their lives.”
The leaders also called for increased funding for agriculture, citing the region’s potential for farming and agro-processing.