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Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi has emphasized the need to utilize cross-border markets and inter-border business opportunities in realizing benefits from the Parish Development Model-PDM program.
Magyezi said that the new border market in Kasese district should be an opportunity to expand and improve agriculture production.
He was addressing district leaders at the newly constructed Mpondwe-Lhubiriha One Border Post Market in Mpondwe town council in Kasese district.
The over 5 billion shillings facility was funded by the World Bank through Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project. The facility is meant to enable cross-border trade by increasing the capacity for commerce and reducing the costs faced by traders, especially small-scale and women traders, at targeted locations in the borderlands.
The minister tasked leaders in the district to focus their attention on teaching farmers tips on proper enterprise selection within both the agriculture production and value addition chains so that they can fully benefit from the new markets the government is constructing.
The minister also noted that once households’ incomes are lifted, the local governments will be able to increase the tax base.
Magyezi also pledged to support the creation of Bwera Municipality in 2025 but asked local leaders to step up their revenue collection.
The minister said it was upon the leaders now to have a common voice on the split of the district.
The Kasese LCV Chairperson, Eliphazi Muhindi pledged the leaders’ commitment to protect the market and utilize it to boast local economies.
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