Lesotho Premier Visits Kawanda Agricultural Laboratories, Calls For Agric Technology

By Sadique Bamwita

WAKISO

On Wednesday August 14, 2024, the Prime minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho made a courtesy visit to the National Agricultural Research Laboratories in Kawanda in Wakiso district.

Premier Rt. Hon. Sam Matekane prior to visiting Kawanda Agricultural Laboratory facilities first met President Yoweri Museveni at Entebbe State House, where they discussed the importance of strengthening the long –standing bilateral ties between Uganda and Lesotho.

Upon arrival at Kawanda Agricultural Laboratories, he was received by the State Minister for Fisheries Hon, Hellen Adoa, the Director General National Agricultural Research Institute Dr. Yona Baguma, and the Director Kawanda Agricultural Research Laboratories, Dr. Robooni Tumuhimbise.

The premier was taken around to inspect the agricultural laboratory facilities; thereafter he inspected exhibition stalls for variety of agricultural products, then he planted a tree which he named Lesotho tree before addressing agricultural researchers in Kawanda Conference Hall.

During inspection, Premier Sam Matekane said he was impressed with the innovation activities at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories in Kawanda, Wakiso district.

While addressing agricultural researchers who had convened in Kawanda Conference room, Premier Sam Matekane said the purpose for his visit was to discuss how to promote agricultural technological transfer between the two countries. He said it was agreed that students and experts from his country come to the Uganda National Agricultural Research Institute to exchange knowledge and ideas with fellow agricultural experts.

He also revealed that within this month, he will send a delegation of two ministers from his agricultural ministry to come to Uganda and share ideas and expertise aimed at bolstering agricultural production between the two countries.

“I will send a delegation of Ministers to come to Uganda and share with you what they are doing and likewise you share with them what you do, ‘said premier Matekane.

The State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa told the premier that Uganda has embraced modern fish farming and that a number of youths and women are actively involved in the program. She added that Uganda has enough fish to export abroad.

The Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Kintu Nyago, said the premier’s visit to Uganda symbolizes a close relationship between Uganda and Lesotho in different sectors. He thanked Uganda’s Foreign Affairs ministry for championing the relationship between the two countries.

“Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Matekane is here to explore ways of benefiting from the experts of NARO. He also came to Uganda to lobby for the position of secretary general on the Commonwealth committee and President Yoweri Museveni has already endorsed him, “Ambassador Knitu Nyago revealed. ‘

The Director General National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Dr. Yona Baguma, appreciated the premier for making a decision to visit Kawanda Agricultural Laboratories saying it’s one of the best agricultural institutions.

“NARO focuses on crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries and over the years we thank the government for investing in our agricultural research. At NARO we have around 160 experts specializing in different areas. As NARO we invite your experts to Uganda to come and share knowledge and ideas with us and vice versa.

“We lead in banana research across the continent and we also have the leading programs on maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and rice. We also have the best platform for agricultural research in addition to leading in livestock, ‘Dr.Baguma revealed. ‘

The Director Kawanda National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Dr. Robooni Tumuhimbise, noted that at Kawanda agricultural institute they have a number of agricultural technologies and that the institute leads in biodiversity and biotechnology in addition to being the leader in providing agricultural engineering solutions.

Dr. Tumuhimbise further noted Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute is in line with the National Development plan 111 which calls for increased agricultural production and productivity in addition to value addition and agricultural industrialization.