SOS distributes fruit tree seedlings to 150 households in Pader

11 November 2026, 11:36 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

At least 150 households in Pukor Sub-county, Pader District, have received fruit tree seedlings from SOS Children’s Villages Uganda in an initiative aimed at improving household food security, environmental conservation and livelihoods.

Each household received six seedlings during a distribution exercise held at Pukor Sub-county headquarters on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

The beneficiaries included members of parents’ groups, youth council representatives and other community stakeholders, as SOS seeks to encourage community participation in environmental protection and sustainable household livelihoods.

The exercise was supported by Roofings Uganda, which donated 2,000 seedlings to SOS Children’s Villages Uganda. However, the organisation had so far collected 1,150 seedlings, with further distributions expected in other communities.

Stephen Tabu, the Area Programmes Manager for SOS Children’s Villages Uganda in Gulu, said the initiative was part of the organisation’s efforts to promote environmental conservation while enabling families and communities to benefit economically from fruit trees.

Tabu appreciated Roofings Uganda for the donation and Pader District Local Government for supporting the organisation’s interventions in the district.

He said the District Forestry Officer would follow up on the exercise to monitor the planting and survival of the seedlings.

Pader District Forestry Officer Martin Okello said the beneficiaries had been guided on proper planting and management practices, including soil preparation, spacing, watering and protecting young trees from destruction by animals.

Okello recommended a spacing of 10 metres by 10 metres for mango and jackfruit trees, advising beneficiaries to plant them near their homes where they could easily monitor and maintain them.

He said well-managed jackfruit trees could begin producing fruits after about four years, while mango trees could take approximately five to six years, giving households an opportunity to benefit from future harvests.

One of the beneficiaries, Esther Akidi, 59, a resident of Lapina Buru Opuk Village in Kineni Parish, said she hoped the seedlings would provide food for her children and an additional source of income.
Akidi with her seedlings wrapped in a piece of cloth waiting to go home after the exercise 

Akidi said she intended to sell some of the fruits once the trees matured and use the proceeds to support her children’s education, particularly by paying school fees.

She said she already had experience growing mango and jackfruit trees at her home but appealed for future distributions to include other varieties, particularly oranges and guavas.

The distribution exercise is expected to continue in other communities, with another round scheduled for Wednesday as SOS works towards reaching more beneficiaries with the donated seedlings.