WACU revives 78 cooperatives to revitalise cotton production in Acholi
GULU, April 13, 2026 — West Acholi Cooperative Union [WACU] has revived 78 primary cooperative societies across the districts of Gulu, Amuru, Omoro and Nwoya over the past 11 years, in a deliberate effort to boost cotton production, a largely export-oriented crop.
According to Mr Bob Albert Ogen, the General Manager of WACU, the union — established in 1961 — previously had 102 primary cooperatives, but only five remained operational following the prolonged conflict in Northern Uganda.
Mr Ogen told theCooperator News that the revival initiative is intended to increase cotton output, which remains the union’s main enterprise.
“Cotton production has generally declined across the country. In West Acholi, it dropped to about 60 per cent. This has been one of the worst production seasons we have experienced. We produced less than 3,000 bales of cotton, compared to previous seasons when we recorded over 10,000 bales,” he said.
He attributed the decline partly to sustained negative campaigns against cotton in favour of alternative crops.
“Leaders have been discouraging cotton growing while promoting other crops, which has significantly affected its production,” Mr Ogen explained.
The Government of Uganda has in recent years prioritised perennial high-value crops, particularly coffee, in the Acholi sub-region. In 2025 alone, the government, through Operation Wealth Creation [OWC], distributed more than 2.2 million coffee seedlings to farmers in the area.
Mr Ogen further cited declining yields and inadequate government investment as key factors behind the downturn in cotton production.
“Seed development is a government responsibility. Through research stations, new seed varieties should be introduced every five years. However, farmers have been using the same cotton seed variety for over 15 years, leading to significant deterioration. Many farmers abandoned the crop after realising the returns were no longer viable,” he said.
Currently, WACU has about 4,000 cotton farmers, down from more than 10,000 in previous years.
In a bid to reverse the trend, the union last year introduced a new high-yielding seed variety, BPA 2015, which is expected to attract both former and new farmers, particularly young people.
“With the new variety, a farmer can harvest up to 1,000 kilogrammes of cotton per acre. We are training farmers on its use and supporting them to expand acreage. Cotton farmers are assured of a ready market,” Mr Ogen noted.
Despite the challenges, he maintained that cotton remains a viable cash crop and should not be abandoned.
WACU’s cotton production fell to 3,000 bales in 2025, down from annual averages of over 10,000 bales in earlier years.
In response, many cooperative members have diversified into other crops such as soybeans, maize and rice.
Mr Marino Okot, a farmer from Luzira village in Atiak Sub-county, Amuru District, who has grown cotton since the 1970s, said he abandoned the crop two years ago due to low yields and exploitation by middlemen.
“I used to depend on cotton because it was a reliable crop. It is not easily stolen, and even poultry cannot damage it when it is drying. You were also assured of payment by December. However, poor yields forced me to stop growing it. Middlemen also offered very low prices, making it unprofitable,” he said.
Mr Okot added that he would consider returning to cotton farming if prices stabilise.
The price of cotton fell to Shs 1,500 per kilogramme from Shs 2,200 in 2025, further discouraging farmers.
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