Kalangala’s raging polygamy blamed on “highly profitable” palm oil project

Rapid increase in household incomes in Kalangala district has led to high levels of polygamy, family breakdown, and domestic violence
Palm oil production has transformed the island district from being one of the poorest to one of the fastest-growing in Uganda
Men in the district are choosing polygamy due to increased income, leading to social problems

This is being blamed on the recent rapid increase in household incomes in the district which has driven men to lead reckless and irresponsible lives as husbands.

The island district, which used to be one of the poorest in the country is among the fastest growing today, thanks to palm oil production.

Social education needed

Families involved in out-grower palm oil farming are said to be earning an average of a 3million shillings a month.

As a result, men have chosen polygamy as one of the ways to spend their money.

“What Kalangala needs now is social education from the government because men are going into 12 to 13 wives, and this is causing a lot of problems,” said Ignatius Tumwesigye, the program coordinator of Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL)

“Poverty is no longer an issue. Even though this used to be the poorest district in Uganda.”

According to Tumwesigye, the palm oil business in Kalaganga is generating up to Shs 76 billion annually, which goes to out-grower families.

Palm oil production started in 2005 in the island district. The government initially invested Shs 53 billion to support the program. But as of today, all these money has been fully repaid by the farmers, according to Tumwesigye.

Palm oil production started around 2005 in Kalangala pulse uganda

Saridin Damanik, the OPUL General Manager says thanks to the project, they have been able to construct over 630 km of roads on the island, which has greatly eased transport for the locals.

Opul is now trying to expand to Kyotera district where the company has set up what is expected to be the world’s largest palm oil nursery bed, and later on two large scale processing plants.