By Haron Okwir
Otuke, Uganda – The Woman Member of Parliament for Otuke District, Hon. Susan Abeja Okello, has launched a coffee-growing initiative aimed at transforming livelihoods and boosting household incomes in Northern Uganda.
The launch ceremony, held on Saturday at her home in Awonaluk B Village, Ogoro Parish, Barjobi Sub-County, saw Hon. Abeja distribute over 50,000 coffee seedlings to farmers.
She also donated 2,500 hand hoes and handed over 10 tents worth 26 million shillings to the community.
Addressing residents, Hon. Abeja urged farmers in Otuke and across Northern Uganda to embrace coffee cultivation, warning that traditional crops were no longer yielding sufficient income to sustain families.
“…The only way farmers can save themselves from poverty is by embracing coffee growing…,” Hon. Abeja stated.
She revealed that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had promised to supply free coffee seedlings to Otuke District and encouraged recipients to take good care of the seedlings to maximize the benefits.
In addition, Hon. Abeja reaffirmed her commitment to serving the people of Otuke, announcing a donation of 1.2 million shillings to support Abeja’s SACCO groups across the district.
Regional Whip for NRM Members of Parliament, Hon. Tonny Ayoo (MP for Kwania County), called for a “mindset change” among farmers in Lango and Northern Uganda, urging leaders and religious figures at all levels to champion coffee growing as a tool for wealth creation.
“…It is time to shift from politics of division to politics that promotes economic empowerment…,” Hon. Ayoo said.
Hon. David Lagen Latuka, MP for Agago Constituency, emphasized the need for agricultural officers and extension workers to intensify training in coffee farming practices, highlighting that Northern Uganda was lagging behind in coffee production.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Otuke, Mr. Jonathan Joel, applauded the government’s support to citizens through initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) and now, coffee growing.
The event, attended by religious and district leaders, concluded with calls for voters to support leaders like Hon. Susan Abeja Okello, who they said had demonstrated a genuine commitment to uplifting communities.
