The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has encouraged Ugandans to adopt poultry farming as an effective means of increasing household incomes and alleviating poverty. He made this appeal while meeting with leaders of the Poultry Association of Uganda at Bulange, Mengo, where he expressed his support for the upcoming World Egg Day Expo, scheduled for October 9-11 at the Old Kampala Secondary School playground.
Mayiga stated that economic transformation begins with simple, community-based enterprises that empower citizens directly. “The most practical way to tackle poverty is to ensure that the population engages in activities where there is a comparative advantage,” he said. “If we want to fight poverty, people should raise chickens. They can eat the chicken, the government collects taxes, and families earn money for fertilizers. To achieve significant goals, we must first practice small initiatives.”
He highlighted that poultry, like coffee, has deep cultural roots in Ugandan households, making it an accessible entry point for economic empowerment. “Every household had chickens—our own local breeds, not just improved varieties. So when you talk about chickens, it doesn’t feel foreign,” he explained. “This is why we need to collaborate with the Poultry Association of Uganda and promote these fundamental practices that can transform the country.”
The Katikkiro also emphasized the importance of sustainability through succession planning, warning that many enterprises fail when their founders pass away.
