THE PARLIAMENT of Uganda has hailed Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya for promoting upland rice growing in Uganda making him the first living person to be recognized for his work well done to empower the people of Uganda.

The MPs said the project had improved food security and income in rural areas. It all started as a mere joke to put an end to millions and millions of dollars our country was spending per year on importing rice from Pakistan and India and other countries.

But it was a surprise to all Ugandans when by 2006; Upland rice was almost ranked high as Uganda’s Main Cash crop replacing our traditional cotton and coffee.

His idea of Upland rice took a lot of time for people to grasp what exactly he was striving at.  No one could imagine why of all, Uganda’s enterprises, Upland rice was his favorite.  But through vigorous discussions everyone admitted that this initiative is a direct intervention to fighting household poverty.

Northern Uganda Youth MP Denis Obua, who moved the motion in Parliament, said the project started with 4,000 farmers, but now had 30,000 in over 32 districts.

"The project is applauded by the rural poor as having transformed their lives in its short lifespan," Obua said.

Prof. Bukenya also received a United States Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his efforts in promoting household income and food security.

Obua said: "Considering that the Vice-President had been traversing the country seeking practical ways of eradicating poverty, the Parliament should congratulate him for ensuring that farmers, who can benefit from growing upland rice, can access it.

The motion was seconded by Tororo Municipality MP Sanjay Tanna (Independent), who said: "When Bukenya started the project, he was ridiculed by many people including some MPs."

"Some people referred to him as a peasant, while others called him the minister of rice. Statistics now show that Uganda has over 200,000 hectares of both paddy and upland rice," he added.

Tanna said in 2004, the country imported about 42,000 metric tonnes of rice, which he said had reduced to 19,000, in the last five years.
"This translates to a net saving of foreign exchange to the Ugandan coffers of $50m (about sh100b)," he said.

Hurrah to the Parliament for according Prof. Bukenya what he deserved after encountering amazing challenges while fostering this visible solution to poverty.