First Lady Janet Museveni (left), President Yoweri Museveni (second from left) and President Park Geun-hye attend the May 30 launch ceremony for the National Farmers' Leadership Center (NFLC), a facility that will train local farmers in agricultural techniques based on Korea's New Community Movement, or Saemaul Undong. The center is located in the rural district of Mpigi and its goal is to produce future agricultural leaders.
The National Farmers' Leadership Center (NFLC), a training facility for future leaders of Uganda's rural agricultural development movement, opened its doors in Mpigi, Uganda, on May 30.
Mpigi is a rural district southwest of Kampala, and the center was only able to open thanks to support it received from both the Korean and Ugandan governments. At the training facility, members of the local community will learn about agricultural leadership and receive training in farming techniques, as well as chicken and pig husbandry, all with the aim of increasing the income of the average farmer.
The policies implemented at the center are modeled on Korea's New Community Movement, or Saemaul Undong, a series of rural and agricultural policies that Korea itself successfully implemented in the 1970s and 1980s to transform its economy from agriculture to industry.
Both President Park Geun-hye, currently on an official state trip to East Africa, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni attended the NFLC launch ceremony on May 30.
"Korea's Saemaul Undong, by reforming national consciousness, modernized the nation's agricultural landscape and contributed to its tremendous economic growth," said President Museveni. He added that, "The people of rural Uganda naturally possess the philosophy of the New Community Movement, which are diligence, a spirit of self-help and cooperation. We are grateful that you have shared with us the meaning of this philosophy."
In response, President Park Geun-hye said, "It has only been seven years since Uganda adopted the Saemaul Undong, but there are already 30 pilot projects here, putting Uganda at the forefront of this revolution. Outstanding leadership, combined with passion and innovation, is the proper formula to create history-in-the-making. Korea, as Uganda's partner in the propagation of the New Community Movement, will walk alongside as a close friend." The president expressed her hope that the newly-opened leadership center would become a cradle that will foster learning for Uganda's next generation of agricultural leaders.
President Park Geun-hye and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, accompanied by other dignitaries, arrive at the launch ceremony for the National Farmers' Leadership Center (NFLC) in Mpigi, Uganda, on May 30. The facility will train local farmers in agricultural techniques based on Korea's New Community Movement, or Saemaul Undong.
President Park Geun-hye talks to volunteers and students during the launch ceremony of Korea Aid, held in the rural district of Mpigi, Uganda, on May 30.
Following the opening ceremony of the NFLC, the two presidents made their way to the launch ceremony of Korea Aid, also being held in Mpigi. Korea Aid is the government's new developmental aid program that will provide healthcare and food relief, as well as media and content, to remote communities that lack access to medical and food services. The first wave of Korea Aid cooperation includes ten customized medical trucks that will provide gynecological examinations, pediatric care for children, general checkups as well as food relief services in rural communities across the region.
At the event, President Park spoke with on-site medical staff and examined the food services and multimedia trucks.
The Korea Aid medical team in Uganda consists of nine doctors from the Ewha Woman’s University Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital, and 10 doctors from Uganda's national hospital in Kampala.
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
hlee10@korea.kr
President Park Geun-hye visits a food services truck and speaks to volunteers during the Ugandan launch ceremony for Korea Aid held in the rural district of Mpigi, Uganda, on May 30.
Residents arrive at the Ugandan launch ceremony for Korea Aid, held in the rural district of Mpigi, Uganda, on May 30.
