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From war to agro business giant aspiration; Acholi Land
27 September 2023, 4:17 pm
Byamukama Alozious
Acholi land encompasses about 28,500 km2 (11,000 square miles) near the Uganda-Sudan border. Statistics indicate that current the population is estimated to be around 2,155,000 individuals, or six percent of the total national population.
The Acholi people are known for their ethnic dances and agrarian communities organized into villages and chiefdoms. Throughout the 20th century, the Acholi people were greatly persecuted by rebel factions such as the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony
Due to the war between 1980s to mid-2000, many people fled their homes in such for a secure area and many others died, especially the old people leaving the area to be occupied by young people who survived
Making reference to the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5; 17, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here … (NIV), The war has gone and the new youth led generation is now transforming Acholi to a big investment destination in Uganda especially for agro Business
As of today Acholi has about 270 investors who are in different business disciplines, the number is few there are hopes for many to come to invest in areas of education, agriculture, Health among others
Acholi has 8 districts which includes Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago, Amuru and Nwoya,and experiences tropical dry climate similar to the southern part of Sudan which favors farming
Gudie Leisure Farm under Prof.Gudula Basaza, the founder, has invested in training youths by changing them to be profitable entrepreneurs on areas of white meat production , Fish keeping , Piggery , Poultry and agro-Tourism among others, so far over 42,000 youth have been equipped with the skills.
Prof, Gudula says Gudie Farm is in Acholi to solve poor agricultural practices, low technological poor access to extension services and low quality inputs. ‘’We call upon investors to invest in Acholi to work with the youths we have trained who are able to supply them with their own products ’’ Prof. Gudula says
Acholi is mostly known for different types of fruits, Cassava, honey, Millet, Corn (maize), sorghum, beans, squash, peanuts (groundnuts), and other savanna crops which still need lots of value addition before accessing nearby board markets of S. Sudan, Congo, local markets and the rest
‘’Acholi is hidden gem brimming with unique cultural richness and unexplored economic prospects, we can ignite interest and active investment both local and international in development, particularly in the endeavors of its young entrepreneurs ’’
Ms.Julian Omalla, Founder and Managing Director, Delight Uganda Ltd. Is among Ugandan investors who are investing in Nwoya. She explains that hospitality, variety of land and labor has enabled her agro business investment to grow.
“It’s is an absolute honor for me as a Ugandan to be one of the active investors in the Acholi region, I have been privileged to impact the lives of local communities especially youth and women, and to integrate them in our company’s supply chains’’
Ms. Julian has got 2000acres in Nwoya on which she has agro forest for fruits and herb medicines and for cosmetics and a model farm training institute in which the youth get free skills on modern farming
Mr. Respect Onekalit, District Young Agribusiness Leaders Representative, Gulu District calls for the people willing to push Acholi business agenda to join them
‘’As young investors in Acholi region, we are looking for people and companies we can partner and do business with because we understand the role that investment can play in unlocking opportunities for our people especially the youth in the agricultural sector. We are therefore looking forward to learning about enterprise and people we can partner’’ Mr. Onekalit says
In the efforts to exploit agro business investment in Acholi, Gudie leisure farm has prepared a spotlight and a business symposium on 1st and 2nd October 2023 at Gudie headquarters in Wakiso,Najjera which is expected to gather youths from Acholi with business experts to brainstorm on opportunities