Auma the Lira district woman Member of Parliament addressing participants during the Lango,Acholi budget conference. Photos by Arnest Tumwesige
By Arnest Tumwesige
Gulu-As the Ugandan government continues to implement strategies aimed at generating household income, the success of these initiatives relies heavily on the understanding and appreciation of them by local government officials.
Dr. Kenneth Olusegun Omona, State Minister for Northern Uganda, emphasized that without the full comprehension of technocrats, resident commissioners, and local leaders, it will be difficult to achieve the desired outcomes.
Dr. Omona pointed out that rather than informing the beneficiaries, some actors are sowing confusion by sharing conflicting, unsupported information, leaving the public uncertain.
Speaking at a Local Government Budget Consultative Engagement for the Lango and Acholi sub-regions held at Acholi Inn Hotel in Gulu City, Dr. Omona expressed concern over the lack of visibility of technocrats, particularly sub-county extension officers.
“I have been farming in Acholi land, especially growing matooke, for the last 10 years. I have never seen an extension officer visit me, despite their presence at every sub-county,” the Minister remarked. He questioned how these staff could influence farmers’ mindsets if they are not spending 70% of their time in the field, helping beneficiaries adopt better farming practices.
Dr. Omona also noted the inconsistency between government efforts and the results on the ground. “Since 2013, the government has distributed 43 million coffee seedlings to Northern Uganda, yet you can hardly see them in the community. Who is failing the people? It’s not the government or the locals, but those who know what to do and aren’t doing their jobs,” he said.
The government has rolled out several programs, including the Youth Livelihood Program, Uganda Women Empowerment, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Leaders Must Lead by Example
Moses Otimong, Town Clerk of Apac Municipality, supported Dr. Omona’s view, stressing that leaders must first understand and communicate the correct approach to the people. He noted that many citizens view the PDM as merely a source of funds, when it is actually a comprehensive framework designed to shift mindsets toward wealth creation.
“The key to overcoming poverty is mindset change. We have experts who explain these concepts, but the retention of this knowledge and its application in transforming people’s lives has been lacking. That’s where we need to focus,” Otimong explained. He added that leaders should stop complaining and instead act as role models in their communities.
Market Regulation to Protect Farmers
Linda Agnes Auma, Lira District Woman MP, commended the government for zoning the country for agricultural cash crops, with Northern Uganda designated for oil seed production. However, her concern lies in the lack of regulation on buyer pricing, leaving farmers vulnerable to exploitation.
As Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Auma called for government intervention to address market fluctuations, particularly during periods of bumper harvests. She suggested establishing regional silos to store produce until prices improve.
“As we embrace commercial farming, especially with high-value crops, regions like Northern Uganda need affirmative action, such as the provision of free coffee seedlings,” she urged.
Focusing on Value Addition
Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, highlighted the government’s strategic direction for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, aiming to grow the economy tenfold by 2040. The target is to increase the country’s GDP from USD 50 billion in 2022/2023 to USD 500 billion within 15 years.
In his keynote address, delivered by Dr. Omona, Kasaija said the ambitious plan will be driven by agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral development (including oil and gas), and advancements in science, technology, and innovation.
Regarding agriculture, he urged local governments to formalize value-chain associations, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, and to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to provide business development services.
Advocating for a Bottom-Up Approach
Michael Lakony, Chairperson of Amuru District, stressed that districts should be consulted on the best strategies for reactivating existing value-addition facilities. In Amuru alone, over 36 facilities, including storage houses and processing plants, remain underutilized.
Lakony believes that involving local leadership is essential for designing effective approaches, as they are familiar with community dynamics. He also called on the government to address market issues, ensuring that farmers benefit from their hard work by creating direct marketing linkages, bypassing exploitative middlemen.
