Lango Prime Minister Salutes Museveni’s Efforts in Poverty Reduction and Agricultural Reform

Prof. Okullo made the remarks on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Lango Cultural Centre during the reception of 150,000 coffee wilt disease-resistant (CWD-R) planting materials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), in a major initiative aimed at transitioning households from subsistence to commercial farming.

He also commended the government for extending agricultural development programmes to the Lango subregion, noting that such interventions are key in improving household incomes and advancing wealth creation among communities.

The Prime Minister further praised the Won Nyaci, Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, for his leadership and coordination with the institution’s Minister for Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries, Michael Abeja, which facilitated engagement with MAAIF and enabled the allocation of the coffee seedlings.

Prof. Okullo urged beneficiaries to handle the seedlings responsibly and apply proper agronomic practices, warning that failure to do so could undermine future government support. He added that the institution would closely monitor implementation in collaboration with the regional coffee coordinators to ensure the success of the project.

Itogo Chairperson Rashid Eton cautioned beneficiaries against poor handling of the seedlings, warning that negligence could discourage government from extending similar support in the future. He also advised against politicising the initiative, noting that it presented a rare opportunity for the region that should be protected.

Earlier on Monday, the institution’s Minister for Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries, Michael Abeja, said the introduction of coffee farming marked a major turning point for Northern Uganda, which has historically depended on low-value crops such as maize and soybeans following years of conflict and economic disruption.

Abeja revealed that although the institution had requested 393,519 seedlings, only 150,000 were approved by MAAIF, adding that distribution would be carried out proportionally among registered beneficiaries.

He further indicated that strict monitoring mechanisms would be enforced to ensure proper planting, survival, and management of all distributed seedlings across the sub-region.

Regional Agricultural Officer in the Coffee Sector Andrew Okello Awany said extensive farmer sensitisation had already been conducted across Lango, equipping beneficiaries with practical knowledge on coffee production and proper agronomic practices.

He noted that collaboration between MAAIF and the cultural institution had strengthened mobilisation efforts, largely due to the influence of cultural leaders at the grassroots level.

The development follows a formal request dated March 9, 2026, from the Won Nyaci Me Lango Office of the Prime Minister to MAAIF seeking 393,519 coffee seedlings for the 2026 planting season after farmers had been mobilised, trained, and registered.

In response, MAAIF confirmed on March 27, 2026, the allocation of 150,000 CWD-R coffee planting materials sourced from a nursery operator in Lira, with the government committing to pay UGX 2,000 per cutting upon verified supply.