BY OKIDI PATRICK OCAMOYITDYEL
Kampala | June 13, 2026
Agriculture Minister Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, has said government will demand full-time commitment from extension workers and Community Development Officers (CDOs) in the new term of office.
“Farmers must no longer suffer while government continues to invest in these officers,” Tumwebaze said.
The minister made the remarks in a statement posted under the hashtags “Frank At Work, Frank Works”
He said the renewed focus is to ensure farmers benefit fully from government programmes and improved service delivery.
“Together, we shall ensure that farmers benefit fully from government programs and improved service delivery,” he added.
The statement comes as Government rolls out the FY2026/27 Budget with Shs2.26 trillion allocated to agro-industrialisation — the highest ever. The budget prioritises irrigation, mechanisation, extension services, value addition, and market access under the theme “Full Monetisation of the Economy.”
Tumwebaze’s directive targets gaps in last-mile service delivery. Farmers have often complained that extension workers and CDOs are absent or engaged in other activities, leaving government programmes like PDM, NAADS, and OWC with weak implementation at parish level.
The minister’s warning aligns with President Museveni’s “Kisanja No More Sleep” message, which calls for increased accountability and results from public servants.
Key messages from Hon. Tumwebaze:
- Full-time commitment — Extension workers and CDOs must dedicate time to farmers.
- End farmer suffering — Government investment in staff must translate to results in the field.
- Better service delivery — All programmes must reach farmers and improve household incomes.
Agriculture remains Uganda’s largest employer, with over 70% of households engaged in farming. The FY2026/27 Budget seeks to move farmers from subsistence to commercial production through agro-processing, certification, and export.
Extension workers and CDOs are central to that shift. They mobilise farmers, train them, and link them to inputs, credit, and markets under PDM and other wealth creation programmes.
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