Influence of culture on operation Wealth Creation Program (OWC) in Kicwamba Sub-County in Kabarole District

Abstract

This study investigated how culture affected Operation Wealth Creation program practices in Kicwamba Sub-County in Kabarole District in western Uganda, using Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) as a case study. The general objective of the study was to determine the influence of culture on Operation Wealth Creation program practices. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the cultural practices and beliefs of local farming communities in Kabarole District that have a bearing on Operation Wealth Creation program practices, to investigate the extent to which government’s OWC programme that seeks to modernize agriculture takes into consideration the cultural values of local farming communities in Kabarole District in their design and implementation and to determine the avenues that can be utilized to ensure that government’s OWC program that seeks to modernize agriculture is culturally compatible. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the study. Sample size was 350 farmers and 4 key informants were selected. Results show that farmers had not benefited from the government programme of OWC. Mainly men were determinants of land ownership in the culture of the Kicwamba Sub-County in Kabarole District and women and the clan determined land ownership to a small extent. The nature of land ownership determination was perceived to have positively affected Operation Wealth Creation program practices. OWC considered cultural values in land preparation but these were limited mainly to hand digging and garden tools and consideration of cultural values did not positively or negatively changed indigenous practices in land preparation. There limited avenues for inclusion of Operation Wealth Creation programs since most of the farmers did not have a say in decision making programs of OWC thus cultural inclusiveness compromised Operation Wealth Creation program practices. It was concluded that in order to encourage Operation Wealth xii Creation program practices in Kicwamba Sub-County in Kabarole District, there is need to discourage the existing patriarchal forms in agricultural decision-making through empowering women. In addition, farmers need to be encouraged through sensitization to avoid land inheritance and communally owning land. Instead, farmers should be encouraged to give shares to their children given that shareholding will enable large tracts of land to be used for agriculture, which are suitable for Operation Wealth Creation program practices. There is need to help farmers change the orientation of some of their cultural practices and beliefs towards Operation Wealth Creation program practices and adjust to spur agriculture development. This can be achieved through conducting workshops and seminars among farmers in order to educate them about the importance Operation Wealth Creation program practices.