MARKET, QUALITY OF PRODUCE Esteri finds better market for the Matooke produce, she convinces the women that the only way they can get a better price is by joining their produce and selling in Bulk. Dorotia is sceptical about the idea and she thinks she will be cheated, even Esteri’s buyer takes long to arrive which unnerves the women. The women rally behind Esteri and decide they will not sell to Aggrey but to Esteri’s produce buyer. Dorotia, tired of waiting convinces Jenny to talk to Aggrey so that they can sell their produce, they need money. Jenny tries to get Aggrey to pay her what he owes but Aggrey tricks her into convincing the women to sell to him, at a lower price. Esteri is surprised when Jenny, Dorotia and Joy decide to sell to Aggrey who cheats them, there is celebration at the market when the buyer arrives offering the market Price. QUALITY, INCREASE IN PRODUCTION, PESTS AND DISEASES, RE-PLANTING Isaiah is tired of Benson’s constant reminder to pay the debt; he asks Joy for help with some money but Joy has no money to give him. Joy promises to give him something when she returns, but he has to help her dig holes to plant a new banana plantation. Isaiah is left with no choice but dig the holes, with Alphonse’s help he learns on the proper measurements to plant Matooke. Isaiah is disappointed when Joy comes back and tells him he has no money yet he worked so hard like she asked. Joy is happy with his efforts but tells him they need to start working as a family and he should stop demanding to be paid. THE YOUTH AND WORK Benson offers Agatha a delivery of feed supplements to his farm, he promises to make her his official transport person if she does a good job. Agatha is stopped on the way by Shaka who is demanding for Rent money or she pay in Kind. Shaka insists, Agatha offers him what is left of the jewellery Lucia left her. Shaka takes it.

Welcome to Mpeke Town From the producers of Shamba Shape Up and Makutano Junction, comes Mpeke Town, a drama series which depicts the hidden charms of rural life and unearths the idea that farming can be a lucrative business, with the potential for increasing food production and family incomes. Set in the undulating hills of rural Central Uganda, Mpeke Town depicts the loves, hopes, trials and tribulations of a small village struggling to earn a livelihood. Follow as Isaiah, fueled by juvenile innocence, youthful ambition, and visions of gold takes on the big city, in a battle he loses. Cowed and humbled, he retreats to his little village town Kabulonda Mpeke where his encounter with the determined Isabella thrusts him into a whirlwind of possibility. Here the journey to discover the untapped potential of agribusiness, begins.

Welcome to Mpeke Town From the producers of Shamba Shape Up and Makutano Junction, comes Mpeke Town, a drama series which depicts the hidden charms of rural life and unearths the idea that farming can be a lucrative business, with the potential for increasing food production and family incomes. Set in the undulating hills of rural Central Uganda, Mpeke Town depicts the loves, hopes, trials and tribulations of a small village struggling to earn a livelihood. Follow as Isaiah, fueled by juvenile innocence, youthful ambition, and visions of gold takes on the big city, in a battle he loses. Cowed and humbled, he retreats to his little village town Kabulonda Mpeke where his encounter with the determined Isabella thrusts him into a whirlwind of possibility. Here the journey to discover the untapped potential of agribusiness, begins.

ACCESS TO LAND, ACCESS TO FINANCES Isabella and Isaiah go out of their way to assert the future of the youth and the VSLA by leasing land from Crescent. Isaiah proposes to Isabella VALUE ADDITION, NEW MARKETS, FARMING AS FAMILY BUSINESS, MATOOKE At a party organized by Crescent so he proposes to Jenny, the market women realize the business potential of adding value to their products. They launch their new initiative to supply value added products. This sees Alphonse and Joy celebrate the growth of their family business and working together. MECHANIZATION Jenny accepts Crescent’s proposal for marriage. She leads the women into appreciating mechanization and farming under joint acreage after receiving land from Crescent in support of her efforts

ACCESS TO LAND, ACCESS TO FINANCES Isabella and Isaiah go out of their way to assert the future of the youth and the VSLA by leasing land from Crescent. Isaiah proposes to Isabella VALUE ADDITION, NEW MARKETS, FARMING AS FAMILY BUSINESS, MATOOKE At a party organized by Crescent so he proposes to Jenny, the market women realize the business potential of adding value to their products. They launch their new initiative to supply value added products. This sees Alphonse and Joy celebrate the growth of their family business and working together. MECHANIZATION Jenny accepts Crescent’s proposal for marriage. She leads the women into appreciating mechanization and farming under joint acreage after receiving land from Crescent in support of her efforts

NEW MAIZE SEED VARITIES, PLANTING, USE OF MANURE Isaiah finds out that he needs fertilizer for his land but doesn’t have enough money to buy the required quantity. Gabriel advises that he can mix fertilizer with manure and get better yields. He starts collecting cow dung from the cow shed at home to the new farm land, with the help of Isabella. Alphonse learns from Gabriel that he can get better yields from Maize if he plants new seed instead of replanting, he starts on the process of clearing the land and applying manure. Alphonse is surprised when he finds no cow dung in the shed, and Isaiah is using it without asking. Isaiah apologizes and promises to start planning as a family to avoid such clashes. Alphonse and Esteri are happy with Isaiah and Isabella’s farm and they promise to support them. Isaiah and Isabella are having a light moment together. Isaiah is surprised to see Sue, his ex-girlfriend in KabulondaMpeke. ACCESS TO LOANS, BANKING, USE OF TRACTOR Jenny takes Esteri, Dorotia and Mercy to a tractor showroom, she tells them its time they bought a tractor themselves because they can. She is offering her land as collateral to get a loan but she needs other members to contribute, be her guarantors so that she can fully cover the Tractor price. A meeting is a called and Jenny shares her idea with them but most are reluctant since they have no money. Crescent offers to partner with her but she rejects his offer to the shock of the rest. Dorotia and Joy convince Jenny to give Crescent a chance, he is willing to help with no strings attached. Jenny decides to talk to Crescent and he is sincere that he wants to help not only her but the farmers that will benefit as well. Jenny accepts his offer to be her guarantor. INVESTMENT After seeing Jenny and Crescent together, and with knowledge that they stole the tractor idea from him, Aggrey pushes Shaka to walk away from his community service punishment and help him stop them. Shaka refuses claiming Aggrey is taking things personal, and he has been in enough trouble because of him already. Aggrey makes it clear to Shaka that he puts a roof over his head so he should decide on whose side he wants to fall onto. Shaka decides to quit and leave Aggrey’s place but Dorotia is not ready to go. Shaka is trapped when Dorotia tells him to sort it out with Aggrey because she can’t leave her investments so far, and a future is coming to the village, she wants to be part of it.

NEW MAIZE SEED VARITIES, PLANTING, USE OF MANURE Isaiah finds out that he needs fertilizer for his land but doesn’t have enough money to buy the required quantity. Gabriel advises that he can mix fertilizer with manure and get better yields. He starts collecting cow dung from the cow shed at home to the new farm land, with the help of Isabella. Alphonse learns from Gabriel that he can get better yields from Maize if he plants new seed instead of replanting, he starts on the process of clearing the land and applying manure. Alphonse is surprised when he finds no cow dung in the shed, and Isaiah is using it without asking. Isaiah apologizes and promises to start planning as a family to avoid such clashes. Alphonse and Esteri are happy with Isaiah and Isabella’s farm and they promise to support them. Isaiah and Isabella are having a light moment together. Isaiah is surprised to see Sue, his ex-girlfriend in KabulondaMpeke. ACCESS TO LOANS, BANKING, USE OF TRACTOR Jenny takes Esteri, Dorotia and Mercy to a tractor showroom, she tells them its time they bought a tractor themselves because they can. She is offering her land as collateral to get a loan but she needs other members to contribute, be her guarantors so that she can fully cover the Tractor price. A meeting is a called and Jenny shares her idea with them but most are reluctant since they have no money. Crescent offers to partner with her but she rejects his offer to the shock of the rest. Dorotia and Joy convince Jenny to give Crescent a chance, he is willing to help with no strings attached. Jenny decides to talk to Crescent and he is sincere that he wants to help not only her but the farmers that will benefit as well. Jenny accepts his offer to be her guarantor. INVESTMENT After seeing Jenny and Crescent together, and with knowledge that they stole the tractor idea from him, Aggrey pushes Shaka to walk away from his community service punishment and help him stop them. Shaka refuses claiming Aggrey is taking things personal, and he has been in enough trouble because of him already. Aggrey makes it clear to Shaka that he puts a roof over his head so he should decide on whose side he wants to fall onto. Shaka decides to quit and leave Aggrey’s place but Dorotia is not ready to go. Shaka is trapped when Dorotia tells him to sort it out with Aggrey because she can’t leave her investments so far, and a future is coming to the village, she wants to be part of it.

BEST MARKET, BOOK KEEPING AND RECORDS Isabella, Isaiah and the VSLA youth manage to get good market for their joint maize produce selling it to Maganjo grain millers. This is after they get the idea of being their own middle men from Alphonse who fails to execute the idea himself after being advised by his wife that they are not yet ready as a family to invest in being produce dealers. VALUE ADDITION TO MILK, PLANNNING AND BUDGETING Shaka over hears Mercy mobilizing farmers in Kabulondampeke to feed and take good care of their cows to increase milk production so that they can support the Value added milk initiative that will empower many. Shaka tells Aggrey of this and the two immediately plot to beat Mercy and Benson at this idea. Aggrey later adulterates the milk adding water and powder to it. Shaka ends up in trouble selling the adulterated yogurt to unknowing people when Mercy discovers the milk used was not pure. MARKET, USE OF A TRACTOR(MECHANIZATION) Jenny, Dorotia, Esteri and other women successfully take tractor lessons learning all the basics they need to know about operating a tractor. They are later approached by the youth who ask them to pull together their maize produce so that they can be able to sell to as one to Maganjo grain millers and make a bigger profit.

BEST MARKET, BOOK KEEPING AND RECORDS Isabella, Isaiah and the VSLA youth manage to get good market for their joint maize produce selling it to Maganjo grain millers. This is after they get the idea of being their own middle men from Alphonse who fails to execute the idea himself after being advised by his wife that they are not yet ready as a family to invest in being produce dealers. VALUE ADDITION TO MILK, PLANNNING AND BUDGETING Shaka over hears Mercy mobilizing farmers in Kabulondampeke to feed and take good care of their cows to increase milk production so that they can support the Value added milk initiative that will empower many. Shaka tells Aggrey of this and the two immediately plot to beat Mercy and Benson at this idea. Aggrey later adulterates the milk adding water and powder to it. Shaka ends up in trouble selling the adulterated yogurt to unknowing people when Mercy discovers the milk used was not pure. MARKET, USE OF A TRACTOR(MECHANIZATION) Jenny, Dorotia, Esteri and other women successfully take tractor lessons learning all the basics they need to know about operating a tractor. They are later approached by the youth who ask them to pull together their maize produce so that they can be able to sell to as one to Maganjo grain millers and make a bigger profit.

HARVESTING, DRYING, SHELLING, STORAGE Isabella and the VSLA youth launch their initiative to work together as they harvest, dry, store, save to buy a shelling machine for their maize and also look for good market prices. USE OF TRACTORS (MECHANIZATION), VALUE ADDITION, BEST MARKET Aggrey tries to convince Jenny to see things from his perspective about farmers using the tractor to improve on their lives he doesn’t know what she has in store for him. FARMING AS A FAMILY BUSINESS, STORAGE, DRYING The Ssebyuuma’s democratically decide on who is going to run the family business.

HARVESTING, DRYING, SHELLING, STORAGE Isabella and the VSLA youth launch their initiative to work together as they harvest, dry, store, save to buy a shelling machine for their maize and also look for good market prices. USE OF TRACTORS (MECHANIZATION), VALUE ADDITION, BEST MARKET Aggrey tries to convince Jenny to see things from his perspective about farmers using the tractor to improve on their lives he doesn’t know what she has in store for him. FARMING AS A FAMILY BUSINESS, STORAGE, DRYING The Ssebyuuma’s democratically decide on who is going to run the family business.

BEST MARKETS, STORAGE, SHORT TERM CROPS (HORTICULTURE) Isabella, Isaiah and the youth (VSLA) have a discussion on how to find good market for their produce, they also get a demonstration on how to use pic bags for storage and also what is best to plant as a short-term crop in order to always have a cash flow. BEST MARKETS, ORANGE SWEET FLESH POTATOES, The SACCO celebrate their merger and also discuss their way forward as a group, they hold an auction. FAMILY WORKING TOGETHER Alphonse and Joy re-commit to each other and promise to work together as a family

BEST MARKETS, STORAGE, SHORT TERM CROPS (HORTICULTURE) Isabella, Isaiah and the youth (VSLA) have a discussion on how to find good market for their produce, they also get a demonstration on how to use pic bags for storage and also what is best to plant as a short-term crop in order to always have a cash flow. BEST MARKETS, ORANGE SWEET FLESH POTATOES, The SACCO celebrate their merger and also discuss their way forward as a group, they hold an auction. FAMILY WORKING TOGETHER Alphonse and Joy re-commit to each other and promise to work together as a family

FINANCIAL LITERACY, PROPER MANAGMENT OF SACCO Dorotia wants all her money she has saved with the SACCO but Esteri urges her and all the women that rather than take the money they should save more. She shares the idea of bringing in more members, so that they can have, more money to lend out. The women are sceptical about the idea, but she assures them that the only way the SACCO will benefit them is if they involve everybody who is able to earn and save. Jenny returns and she is welcomed back, she manages to convince Crescent and the Co-operative members to join the SACCO. Excitement as they set the date to launch the SACCO. ACCESS TO LAND, PLANNING, BUDGETING, SHORT TERM CROPS Isaiah with the help of Alphonse apologizes to Isabella and she forgives him. Isaiah is excited to start the farming journey with her since he was given land by Alphonse. Isabella is happy for him and his new attitude. Isaiah plans to plant quick growing vegetable varieties on the land. Isabella and Isaiah take vows to support, plan and farm together from now on. WORKING TOGETHER AS FAMILY Joy finds out that Alphonse has been cheating on her after everything she has sacrificed. Alphonse pleads and promises its Over but Joy finds it hard to believe. Isaiah saves since he was witness when he broke it off with Trinity. Joy accepts to forgive Alphonse on condition that he starts getting involved in the family business, they need to start working together. Alphonse accepts.

FINANCIAL LITERACY, PROPER MANAGMENT OF SACCO Dorotia wants all her money she has saved with the SACCO but Esteri urges her and all the women that rather than take the money they should save more. She shares the idea of bringing in more members, so that they can have, more money to lend out. The women are sceptical about the idea, but she assures them that the only way the SACCO will benefit them is if they involve everybody who is able to earn and save. Jenny returns and she is welcomed back, she manages to convince Crescent and the Co-operative members to join the SACCO. Excitement as they set the date to launch the SACCO. ACCESS TO LAND, PLANNING, BUDGETING, SHORT TERM CROPS Isaiah with the help of Alphonse apologizes to Isabella and she forgives him. Isaiah is excited to start the farming journey with her since he was given land by Alphonse. Isabella is happy for him and his new attitude. Isaiah plans to plant quick growing vegetable varieties on the land. Isabella and Isaiah take vows to support, plan and farm together from now on. WORKING TOGETHER AS FAMILY Joy finds out that Alphonse has been cheating on her after everything she has sacrificed. Alphonse pleads and promises its Over but Joy finds it hard to believe. Isaiah saves since he was witness when he broke it off with Trinity. Joy accepts to forgive Alphonse on condition that he starts getting involved in the family business, they need to start working together. Alphonse accepts.

FAKE CHEMICALS Isaiah in a bid to make up for his mistakes to Isabella makes things worse by using fake weed killer destroying some of her crop. He learns that quick fixes are never the way out. GOOD PRACTISES VIA COFFEE, WORKING TOGETHER AS COUPLES, JOINT ACCOUNTS, SAVING The women are determined to make the men listen and agree on working together as partners in- order to improve on their lively hoods by saving together and making important decisions. PROPER MANAGMENT OF CO-OPS Aggrey gets suspended from the Co-operative for duping one of the members selling him poor quality coffee berries knowingly, and not sharing important knowledge on coffee as a member.

FAKE CHEMICALS Isaiah in a bid to make up for his mistakes to Isabella makes things worse by using fake weed killer destroying some of her crop. He learns that quick fixes are never the way out. GOOD PRACTISES VIA COFFEE, WORKING TOGETHER AS COUPLES, JOINT ACCOUNTS, SAVING The women are determined to make the men listen and agree on working together as partners in- order to improve on their lively hoods by saving together and making important decisions. PROPER MANAGMENT OF CO-OPS Aggrey gets suspended from the Co-operative for duping one of the members selling him poor quality coffee berries knowingly, and not sharing important knowledge on coffee as a member.

NUTRITION Having recently attained a small part of a coffee plantation as pay from Aggrey, Shaka sets out to seek membership at the cooperative. His efforts take him to Agatha, where Dorotia stumbles on them. In his attempt to prove that nothing suspicious is going on between them, Shaka finds himself in a hospital where he attends a very uncomfortable lecture among pregnant women and mothers about good feeding and nutrition. MARKET, QUALITY, BAD PRACTISES VIA COFFEE Dorotia steals coffee berries from her husband Shaka’s plantation in order to buy nutritious foods for Agatha and the children. She mixes ripe coffee berries with unripe coffee berries and sells to Matia who is surprised to later learn from Aggrey that they are of poor quality and are not worth much. Angry, Matia attacks Shaka who finds out that he was fooled by both Aggrey and his wife. Hurt, he locks up Dorotia in their house. JOINT ACCOUNT, MALE CROP (INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN), WORKING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY As Alphonse is heading for the coffee meeting at the cooperative, he is stopped by Joy who begs to be added as a signatory to the coffee account. Alphonse tells her such a thing will not happen. Women’s work when it comes to farming coffee is at the farms and they should leave anything to do with money to the men. At the meeting the men plot how to keep women out of issues concerning earnings from coffee. The women at their market are also discussing how to get their men to listen to them and involve them more in the on-coffee farming.

NUTRITION, GET A LOAN Dorotia kicks Agatha and the kids out of her house. As they walk the street with Shaka, Isabella sees them and gets the idea to farm nutritious foods and make money. This was the missing link in her application for a loan. DANGERS OF QUICK MONEY, BUDGETING AND PLANNING Alphonse, tired of seeing his son Isaiah laze around at home, gets him a plumbing job at the Cooperative. Uninterested, Isaiah absconds from the assignment and teams up instead with Isabella, when he sees the opportunity of making quick money through the loan she is seeking from the Micro-Finance. Isabella gets the loan but this creates a rift between her and Isaiah when he learns that he is getting no cut from the loan as she intends to put it to use as applied for. MISMANAGEMENT IN SACCOS The market women, who are also seeking a loan for their SACCO kick out their Chair, Jenny, at the encouragement of Dorotia. Her crime is mismanagement.

BUDGET, PLANNING, ACCESS TO LOANS Isabella with Isaiah’s help tries to get a loan to support her idea of commercial farming and in the process Isaiah learns more about budgeting and planning. FINANCIAL LITERACY (CREDIT WORTHINESS, COLLATERAL) The women in the SACCO learn more from Otai on better ways to access finances and loans. Otai opens their eyes to the fact that Aggrey has been exploiting them with the high interest rates. IMPROVE MILK PRODUCTION Alphonse learns from Benson that he can improve on his milk production and produce more than two litres per day. Benson tells him about improving the feeds for the cows and also asks him to consider owning a new breed.

GENDER ISSUES Back home in Kabulondampeke, life is not any better for Isaiah. His father is pushing him to go back in the city claiming it is where jobs for youths like him are found. Isaiah fails to convince his father that life in the city is not a joke. It is only Joy, his mother who is on his side and is happy to have him back home but even she is pushing him into farming something that Isaiah has never been interested in. Isaiah later talks his father into having him stay in the house a little longer after he spots him at Trinity’s bar having a good time and getting too close to the bartender and owner Trinity. NUTRITION (ORANGE SWEET FLESH POTATOES), MULCHING Dorotia very tired of the expensive and lazy habits of her sister Lucia, Agatha and the children tricks Shaka into kicking Lucia out of the house. She succeeds at this by pushing Shaka to the limits through denying him food and using Lucia to demand for the expensive and nutritious five food products per day for the children who are slowly beginning to lose weight. ACCESS TO FINANCE Aggrey through Shaka has spread fear and panic in the whole village collecting debts prematurely. Jenny who is slowly developing feelings for Aggrey over looks all this and shuts her ears to any advice from Mercy who warns her to stay away from Aggrey because he is a hard man.

YOUTHS AND EMPLOYMENT Isaiah, the son of farmer Alphonse, has moved to the city to ride a boda-boda, however the drama of working in the city catches up with Isaiah when his bike is stolen and he gambles away his last coins before being forced by circumstances to return to Kabulondampeke. IMPROVE FARMING, IRON RICH BEANS, MAIZE, INTER CROPPING Isabella who returns from Agriculture School to help out on her mother Esteri’s farm is determined to make a living farming. With the support of her mother and assistance from Gabriel, the handsome Agro-vet, she begins to slowly understand her new calling. ACCESS TO FINANCE, STORAGE Aggrey a local business man is hell bent on seeing the local farmer’s cooperative fail so that he promotes his new bulk store facility.

NUTRITION Having recently attained a small part of a coffee plantation as pay from Aggrey, Shaka sets out to seek membership at the cooperative. His efforts take him to Agatha, where Dorotia stumbles on them. In his attempt to prove that nothing suspicious is going on between them, Shaka finds himself in a hospital where he attends a very uncomfortable lecture among pregnant women and mothers about good feeding and nutrition. MARKET, QUALITY, BAD PRACTISES VIA COFFEE Dorotia steals coffee berries from her husband Shaka’s plantation in order to buy nutritious foods for Agatha and the children. She mixes ripe coffee berries with unripe coffee berries and sells to Matia who is surprised to later learn from Aggrey that they are of poor quality and are not worth much. Angry, Matia attacks Shaka who finds out that he was fooled by both Aggrey and his wife. Hurt, he locks up Dorotia in their house. JOINT ACCOUNT, MALE CROP (INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN), WORKING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY As Alphonse is heading for the coffee meeting at the cooperative, he is stopped by Joy who begs to be added as a signatory to the coffee account. Alphonse tells her such a thing will not happen. Women’s work when it comes to farming coffee is at the farms and they should leave anything to do with money to the men. At the meeting the men plot how to keep women out of issues concerning earnings from coffee. The women at their market are also discussing how to get their men to listen to them and involve them more in the on-coffee farming.

MARKET, QUALITY OF PRODUCE Esteri finds better market for the Matooke produce, she convinces the women that the only way they can get a better price is by joining their produce and selling in Bulk. Dorotia is sceptical about the idea and she thinks she will be cheated, even Esteri’s buyer takes long to arrive which unnerves the women. The women rally behind Esteri and decide they will not sell to Aggrey but to Esteri’s produce buyer. Dorotia, tired of waiting convinces Jenny to talk to Aggrey so that they can sell their produce, they need money. Jenny tries to get Aggrey to pay her what he owes but Aggrey tricks her into convincing the women to sell to him, at a lower price. Esteri is surprised when Jenny, Dorotia and Joy decide to sell to Aggrey who cheats them, there is celebration at the market when the buyer arrives offering the market Price. QUALITY, INCREASE IN PRODUCTION, PESTS AND DISEASES, RE-PLANTING Isaiah is tired of Benson’s constant reminder to pay the debt; he asks Joy for help with some money but Joy has no money to give him. Joy promises to give him something when she returns, but he has to help her dig holes to plant a new banana plantation. Isaiah is left with no choice but dig the holes, with Alphonse’s help he learns on the proper measurements to plant Matooke. Isaiah is disappointed when Joy comes back and tells him he has no money yet he worked so hard like she asked. Joy is happy with his efforts but tells him they need to start working as a family and he should stop demanding to be paid. THE YOUTH AND WORK Benson offers Agatha a delivery of feed supplements to his farm, he promises to make her his official transport person if she does a good job. Agatha is stopped on the way by Shaka who is demanding for Rent money or she pay in Kind. Shaka insists, Agatha offers him what is left of the jewellery Lucia left her. Shaka takes it.

NUTRITION, GET A LOAN Dorotia kicks Agatha and the kids out of her house. As they walk the street with Shaka, Isabella sees them and gets the idea to farm nutritious foods and make money. This was the missing link in her application for a loan. DANGERS OF QUICK MONEY, BUDGETING AND PLANNING Alphonse, tired of seeing his son Isaiah laze around at home, gets him a plumbing job at the Cooperative. Uninterested, Isaiah absconds from the assignment and teams up instead with Isabella, when he sees the opportunity of making quick money through the loan she is seeking from the Micro-Finance. Isabella gets the loan but this creates a rift between her and Isaiah when he learns that he is getting no cut from the loan as she intends to put it to use as applied for. MISMANAGEMENT IN SACCOS The market women, who are also seeking a loan for their SACCO kick out their Chair, Jenny, at the encouragement of Dorotia. Her crime is mismanagement.

BUDGET, PLANNING, ACCESS TO LOANS Isabella with Isaiah’s help tries to get a loan to support her idea of commercial farming and in the process Isaiah learns more about budgeting and planning. FINANCIAL LITERACY (CREDIT WORTHINESS, COLLATERAL) The women in the SACCO learn more from Otai on better ways to access finances and loans. Otai opens their eyes to the fact that Aggrey has been exploiting them with the high interest rates. IMPROVE MILK PRODUCTION Alphonse learns from Benson that he can improve on his milk production and produce more than two litres per day. Benson tells him about improving the feeds for the cows and also asks him to consider owning a new breed.

GENDER ISSUES Back home in Kabulondampeke, life is not any better for Isaiah. His father is pushing him to go back in the city claiming it is where jobs for youths like him are found. Isaiah fails to convince his father that life in the city is not a joke. It is only Joy, his mother who is on his side and is happy to have him back home but even she is pushing him into farming something that Isaiah has never been interested in. Isaiah later talks his father into having him stay in the house a little longer after he spots him at Trinity’s bar having a good time and getting too close to the bartender and owner Trinity. NUTRITION (ORANGE SWEET FLESH POTATOES), MULCHING Dorotia very tired of the expensive and lazy habits of her sister Lucia, Agatha and the children tricks Shaka into kicking Lucia out of the house. She succeeds at this by pushing Shaka to the limits through denying him food and using Lucia to demand for the expensive and nutritious five food products per day for the children who are slowly beginning to lose weight. ACCESS TO FINANCE Aggrey through Shaka has spread fear and panic in the whole village collecting debts prematurely. Jenny who is slowly developing feelings for Aggrey over looks all this and shuts her ears to any advice from Mercy who warns her to stay away from Aggrey because he is a hard man.

YOUTHS AND EMPLOYMENT Isaiah, the son of farmer Alphonse, has moved to the city to ride a boda-boda, however the drama of working in the city catches up with Isaiah when his bike is stolen and he gambles away his last coins before being forced by circumstances to return to Kabulondampeke. IMPROVE FARMING, IRON RICH BEANS, MAIZE, INTER CROPPING Isabella who returns from Agriculture School to help out on her mother Esteri’s farm is determined to make a living farming. With the support of her mother and assistance from Gabriel, the handsome Agro-vet, she begins to slowly understand her new calling. ACCESS TO FINANCE, STORAGE Aggrey a local business man is hell bent on seeing the local farmer’s cooperative fail so that he promotes his new bulk store facility.

Welcome to Mpeke Town From the producers of Shamba Shape Up and Makutano Junction, comes Mpeke Town, a drama series which depicts the hidden charms of rural life and unearths the idea that farming can be a lucrative business, with the potential for increasing food production and family incomes. Set in the undulating hills of rural Central Uganda, Mpeke Town depicts the loves, hopes, trials and tribulations of a small village struggling to earn a livelihood. Follow as Isaiah, fueled by juvenile innocence, youthful ambition, and visions of gold takes on the big city, in a battle he loses. Cowed and humbled, he retreats to his little village town Kabulonda Mpeke where his encounter with the determined Isabella thrusts him into a whirlwind of possibility. Here the journey to discover the untapped potential of agribusiness, begins.