Oyam, Uganda | The Office of the President, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has delivered 110,653 hoes to Oyam District.
The hoes are intended for distribution to households captured during the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC 2024), with each eligible household expected to receive one hoe. The initiative aims to support families in increasing food production and improving household livelihoods.
District Production and Marketing Officer Albino Cox Ogwal confirmed the arrival of the hoes and said they would be distributed fairly across all sub-counties based on the official 2024 National Population and Housing Census figures. He noted that households established after the census exercise would not be eligible to receive the hoes.
Resident District Commissioner James Shilaku said the government was supporting Oyam because of its strong agricultural base and encouraged beneficiaries to utilize the tools to enhance food production. He added that the distribution fulfills a Presidential pledge aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and urged recipients not to sell the hoes.
District Police Commander Francis Okongo cautioned against the swindling or diversion of the hoes and stressed that security agencies would ensure the tools reach the rightful beneficiaries. He cited ongoing legal proceedings involving former public officials as an example that Ugandan law spares no office or individual.
The hoes were officially received by local leaders, including LCIII chairpersons, sub-county chiefs and agricultural extension officers from all the 16 sub-administrative units in Oyam District.
Among those present were Denis Anyeki, the LCIII Chairperson of Oyam Town Council, and James Ogwal, the LCIII Chairperson of Myene Sub-county. The leaders welcomed the programme, saying it would help households improve farming and strengthen food security. They also pledged to closely supervise the distribution process to ensure the hoes reach the intended beneficiaries.