In a bid to enhance agricultural production for export, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has today, Saturday, February 8, 2025, conducted a comprehensive training session for farmers and religious leaders from Central Buganda at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL) in Kawanda. The training emphasized the importance of value addition, quality, and market readiness for successful export.
Odrek Rwabwogo speaking to the audience at the event
Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo led the PACEID team and delivered an insightful lecture on the challenges of facing the export space including lack of knowledge, failure to comply with international market requirements, transport and logistical constraints, and lack of funds to fulfill orders.
At PACEID, our work on the four pillars has taught us to move to the next level. This is industrial parks for product aggregation, data collection to price our commodities and assets, and bilateral negotiations to build better market entry.” remarked Rwabwogo.
He also highlighted four factors that undermine effective leadership at all levels; inferiority complex, temptation, discouragement, and rejection. “Therefore, for us to lead, to be priests of emotional, spiritual, economic, and overall health turnaround of human beings, we got to be careful about these things that can trip leaders,” he stressed while urging attendees to cultivate resilience and confidence in their roles as leaders within their communities, emphasizing that overcoming these challenges is essential.
“Leaders aren’t always right. Leaders need a community, they need support against depression; they need pastoring too, they need to speak about their weaknesses and mistakes instead of telling us how strong, successful, and powerful they are. Success is a bad teacher; yet failure makes us stronger, adjust better, and grow. It is only God who works in us to keep us going! I want you to imagine a tow truck. Do you ever see it being towed regularly? Do you not see it towing others regularly? Who helps it when it is in trouble? Every leader needs others to pull him over, to ask him to rest, to ask him to reflect and take time off. We cannot keep pursuing the public limelight even if for some, this is the oxygen they live on, without removing God from our lives, feeling wooden, dry and depressed.”
During his address, Matthew Bagonza Head of Secretariat PACEID quoted Psalms 133, which beautifully encapsulates the essence of unity: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” This scripture served as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from solidarity and cooperation, especially in a diverse society like Uganda.
PACEID Head of Secretariat Matthew Bagonza (in yellow) appreciating one of the mobilizers Cissy during his speech
Bagonza reiterated the importance of unity in achieving shared goals. He called on all religious leaders to be ambassadors of peace and collaboration, reminding them that their collective efforts can lead to transformative outcomes for their communities.
He went on to explain PACEID’s four pillar operating model; markets, standards, infrastructure, and export financing. “By focusing on these pillars, PACEID aims to create a robust ecosystem that supports farmers in accessing international markets and achieving sustainable growth”.
Rwabwogo had the opportunity to visit a demo farm in the neighborhood
The training is part of PACEID’s ongoing commitment to empower farmers and community leaders countrywide, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to produce for export and thrive in the competitive global market. –