Government gives Lango 150,000 coffee seedlings to boost wealth

15 April 2026, 10:43 am

By Sarah Ejang

The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, has given the Lango Cultural Institution 150,000 coffee seedlings to be distributed to farmers.

Giving these coffee seedlings is part of the government’s commitment to uplift coffee farming in Northern Uganda.

The Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Olusegun Omona, told the clan leaders (Owitong) of Lango last year that the government had allocated 80 billion shillings to expand coffee farming in Northern Uganda to reach a production target of 20 million bags by the year 2030.

On March 9, 2026, the Prime Minister of Lango, Prof. Willy Okullo, wrote to the Ministry of Agriculture requesting coffee seedlings for the people of Lango.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, in his letter to Prof. Willy Okullo, stated that the government received the request for seedlings from the Lango Cultural Foundation, which is why they have provided 150,000 seedlings to be distributed to those interested.

Speaking to the press on Friday 9th.April.2026 at the Lango Cultural Center, the Minister of Agriculture for the Lango Cultural Institution, Michael Abeja, noted that Lango used to focus on crops that didn’t bring in much money, but now the government is promoting coffee because others are earning significant wealth from it.

Abeja mentioned that they had requested 300,000 seedlings, but the government granted half that amount, which the people must now accept and plant diligently.

According to Abeja, they expect about 1,000 people to receive these seedlings.

He urged those who receive them not to let them go to waste, as government seedlings often fail when they are not properly cared for.

The RDC of Ngora, who also served as the former Minister of Agriculture for the Lango Cultural Institution, Josephine Omara Olili, remarked that those who started coffee farming early have earned a lot of money.

She urged the people of Lango to embrace this farming seriously but warned them not to forget to grow food crops for consumption as well.

The spokesperson for the Lango Cultural Institution, Patrick Okwir, said this initiative helps Lango farmers start growing a “perennial” crop (one that isn’t harvested just once), unlike in the past when Lango focused only on food crops.

Okwir stated that the Paramount Chief (Won Nyaci), Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, will officially launch the seedling distribution this coming Thursday at the Lango Cultural Center.

Andrew Okello Awany, the Regional Agricultural Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that they have trained people on the skills of planting, maintaining, and ensuring the coffee grows well.