At Kasolwe Stock Farm in Kamuli District, a quiet transformation is taking shape. Young farmers from across Uganda’s Busoga region are finding new confidence, skills, and income prospects through a poultry initiative led by the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank. What began as a training and breeding program is quickly becoming a pathway for youth to turn small backyard flocks into reliable businesses.
Opening doors for young farmers
For many rural youth, poultry farming offers one of the fastest routes into agribusiness. It requires modest space, manageable start-up costs, and delivers quick returns. The Kasolwe program taps directly into this potential by attracting hundreds of young people and small scale producers eager to access improved chicken breeds and practical training.
The goal goes beyond handing out birds. The initiative is designed to modernize poultry practices, raise household incomes, and strengthen food security in village communities where jobs are scarce and opportunities are limited.
The power of the Kuroiler
At the heart of the effort was the distribution of 50,000 Kuroiler chickens, a breed well suited to local conditions. Kuroilers are valued for their dual purpose nature, providing both meat and eggs, and for their ability to thrive in free range and backyard systems common in rural Uganda.
These birds mature quickly and show strong resistance to disease, reducing losses that often discourage first time farmers. Each hen can lay up to 200 eggs a year while also offering steady meat output that families can sell or consume. That resilience makes poultry farming a realistic income stream even for beginners.
Tools that turn birds into businesses
Alongside the birds, participants received essential inputs such as mineral salts to improve fertility and artificial breeding kits aimed at raising the quality of future flocks. These additions may seem small, but they mark a shift from survival farming to planned production.
By pairing superior genetics with updated techniques, the program equips young farmers to manage challenges like disease outbreaks, poor feed quality, and limited access to reliable breeding stock. The result is better productivity today and stronger flocks tomorrow.
Government backing for youth-led agriculture
The handover ceremony drew national attention, with Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga highlighting the role poultry farming can play in tackling youth unemployment. She emphasized that chicken rearing offers young Ugandans a way to earn income, support national food supplies, and build livelihoods without leaving their communities.
Her message was clear. With proper care routines and a business mindset, poultry can move from a side activity to a dependable enterprise.
Kasolwe as a learning hub
Kasolwe Stock Farm has grown into more than a breeding center. It now serves as a training ground where youth and small farmers gain hands-on experience in modern poultry production. Sessions cover housing design, feeding programs, vaccination schedules, egg production techniques, and biosecurity practices that protect flocks from disease.
This practical approach bridges the gap between theory and the daily realities of farming. Farmers do not just receive advice. They see it applied and learn how to adapt it at home.
Strength through collective action
Farmer groups have played a crucial role in amplifying the program’s impact. Organizations such as Uganda First mobilized more than 139 farmer groups to participate, encouraging collaboration, shared learning, and peer support among new entrants.
For many participants, the chance to connect with others facing similar challenges has been just as valuable as the birds themselves. Shared experiences help spread best practices faster and reduce the isolation that often undermines small ventures.
A model for sustainable growth
What is unfolding at Kasolwe Stock Farm points to a broader opportunity for Uganda’s poultry sector. By investing in quality genetics, practical training, and youth engagement, the country can build a more resilient and profitable poultry industry.
For the young farmers of Busoga, the program is already changing daily life. Chickens that survive better, lay more eggs, and fetch higher prices translate into school fees paid, savings built, and confidence restored. With continued support and disciplined management, these small flocks could become the foundation of a new generation of agripreneurs powering Uganda’s rural economy.
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