GULU, August 5, 2026 – The Government has kick-started efforts to revive the stalled Unyama Irrigation Project, with a Shs 446 billion investment expected to give farmers in Northern Uganda a new lease of life through improved access to water for production.
The Ministry of Water and Environment has allocated the funds to the project as part of a broader strategy to expand water for production while ensuring that community and district leaders are actively involved in its planning and implementation.
The project is expected to boost commercial farming in the region, strengthen climate resilience and improve water and sanitation services in Northern Uganda.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Alfred Okot Okidi, said the Government had learnt lessons from previous attempts to implement similar projects, prompting a shift towards a more participatory approach that promotes community ownership.
“We urge the communities to understand the purpose of the project. Government provides the infrastructure, but ownership remains the responsibility of the community to guarantee its sustainability,” Okidi said while addressing leaders from the Acholi Sub-region.
He said many irrigation schemes are delayed by misinformation, inadequate community engagement and limited participation by beneficiaries, adding that the ministry is committed to addressing such challenges through extensive consultations.
The irrigation Scheme is expected to be implemented over at least two years and will cover about 1,750 acres in Patiko Sub-county in Gulu district, as well as Opara and Pabbo sub-counties in Amuru district.
The scheme will provide farmers with a reliable, year-round water supply for agricultural production, reducing their dependence on unpredictable seasonal rainfall and helping them adapt to the effects of climate change.
The project was initially scheduled to commence in 2017 but was stalled by compensation disputes involving at least 105 project-affected persons.
However, a series of community dialogues, sensitisation campaigns and exposure visits organised by government, including visits by communities to other irrigation schemes in Uganda, have helped build confidence and trust in the project.
Bollingtom Pa’Ongwech, the Secretary for Production and Marketing at Gulu District Local Government, described the scheme as a transformative investment that could accelerate the transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
While pledging the local government’s support for the project, Pa’Ongwech called for transparency in the compensation of affected persons and urged farmers to take advantage of the opportunities the scheme will create.
Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for the majority of households in Northern Uganda, but the sector continues to be affected by erratic weather patterns, undermining productivity. This makes irrigation a critical investment in the region’s efforts to transform agriculture and improve household incomes.
The Resident District Commissioner for Amuru, Geoffrey Ochieng, said the district continues to struggle with faecal sludge management, posing a serious public health challenge in urban centres and other public facilities.
Meanwhile, Patrick Olanya, from the Pader District Water Office, urged the Ministry of Water and Environment to update its water coverage database, saying the use of outdated information and statistics was denying some districts equitable funding.
As government moves to implement the irrigation scheme alongside water supply and sanitation interventions, sustained collaboration between communities and local governments will remain critical to ensuring that the project delivers its intended benefits.
The scheme is expected to contribute to increased agricultural production, higher household incomes and improved public health across the region.
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