KITGUM, August 9, 2026 — Kitgum District Local Government has received its first consignment of 30,000kg of hybrid maize seeds under the Government’s Operation Wealth Creation [OWC] programme, in an initiative aimed at helping farmers recover from the prolonged drought affecting Northern Uganda.
Denis Ocira, the Kitgum District Agriculture Officer, said the consignment is part of a planned total of 80,000kg of maize seed allocated to the district to boost food production in the next season planting season.
The seeds will be distributed to farmers in Chua West and Chua East counties after undergoing germination tests.
In addition to the maize seed, Ocira said the district expects to receive more agricultural inputs to support farmers during the second planting season. These include 5,000kg of sesame, 14,200kg of soybean, 1,000kg of beans, 1,500kg of groundnuts, 500kg of peas and 934kg of sunflower seed.
Ocira attributed the successful lobbying for the consignment to the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, who is also the Kitgum District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Simon Peter Oryema, as well as Chua West Constituency MP Simon Peter Adum and Chua East County MP John Calvin Okoya.
Retired Lt Col Benson Bukello Odur, the OWC Coordinator in Kitgum district, said the maize seeds are intended to help address food insecurity caused by prolonged dry spells in northern Uganda, including Kitgum.
“The next consignment is expected to arrive by next week, allowing farmers to prepare for the second planting season,” Odur said.
He said OWC would continue working with local leaders to ensure transparency and the timely delivery of agricultural inputs as farmers prepare for the rains.
Kitgum District Vice-Chairperson Smith Opon welcomed the delivery but said the consignment was insufficient to meet the needs of farmers in the district.
With more than 50,000 households in the district, Opon described the 30,000kg of maize seed as “just a drop in the ocean”.
He urged OWC to expedite the delivery of the remaining consignment to ensure that no farmer is left behind. He also encouraged farmers to plant the seeds immediately after receiving them, noting that hybrid maize typically takes about three months to mature.
Geoffrey Oguti, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, said the 30,000kg consignment would be stored until the next delivery arrives next week to allow for simultaneous distribution.
He urged farmers to remain calm as they await the full consignment and warned against misuse of the seeds.
“These seeds are intended for planting, not for human consumption,” Oguti cautioned.
He confirmed that distribution would target farmers in Chua West and Chua East once the consignment is complete and germination test results are available.
OWC is a Government OF Uganda intervention aimed at facilitating national socio-economic transformation by raising household incomes and promoting wealth creation. The programme focuses on transforming subsistence farmers into commercial farmers as part of efforts to reduce poverty.
https://thecooperator.news/owc-boosts-gulu-ghetto-mothers-sacco-with-shs-8mln/
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