The Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, while delivering his New Year message on Kasese Guide Radio - Omusondolya said Ugandans must exploit all possible opportunities to fight poverty, according to AllAfrica.com.

"I wish to encourage all Ugandans and also thank the people of Kibaale and Masaka districts in particular, who are exporting large amounts of pork, eggs and chicken to the eastern DRC," Dr Kiyonga said.

Dr Kiyonga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bukonzo West, a constituency that borders with the eastern DRC, said information coming to him indicate that the current pork and poultry product exports to the DRC are just a drop in the ocean.

He advised Ugandans to move away from growing crops which consume a lot of inputs and yet do not pay well.

Dr Kiyonga said crops like cotton grown at peasantry level are not profitable.

He advised people to grow horticultural crops like pineapples and mangoes and also to go into pig and poultry farming to boost their income.