The Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, today held a consultative meeting with khat (mayirungi) growers from Kasenge and Ssisa in Wakiso District to discuss the key challenges affecting their farming activities and the sustainability of the sector.
The engagement provided an opportunity for farmers to share concerns impacting their productivity and livelihoods. Among the issues raised were inadequate irrigation infrastructure, security, taxation, and limited access to essential agricultural inputs. The growers noted that khat farming remains a major source of income and employment for many households in the area, underscoring the need for greater support to enhance the sector's growth.
Addressing the farmers, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo commended them for their contribution to local economic development and the livelihoods of their communities. She emphasized the importance of conducting farming activities within the established legal and regulatory framework while encouraging continuous engagement between farmers and government.
Hajjat Namyalo assured the farmers that the concerns they presented would be forwarded to the relevant government institutions for consideration. She reaffirmed the Office of the National Chairman's commitment to promoting dialogue and collaboration aimed at identifying practical, sustainable solutions that safeguard livelihoods, strengthen agricultural productivity, and contribute to national socio-economic transformation.