Otuke WMP Susan Abeja launches maize seed distribution amid delay in OPM relief

31 July 2026, 9:47 pm

By Dickens Aruca

The Parliamentary Commissioner and Woman Member of Parliament for Otuke District, Hon. Susan Abeja, has commenced the distribution of hybrid maize seed to farmers across the district following delays in the delivery of relief assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Speaking in response to the worsening food situation caused by the prolonged drought, Abeja said the seed distribution is an immediate intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable households while residents await additional government relief.

She revealed that 12 tonnes of hybrid maize seed have already been distributed in four administrative areas—Okwang Sub-county, Orum Sub-county, Okwongo Town Council, and Otuke Town Council—with each beneficiary receiving two kilograms of seed.

According to Abeja, the initiative is intended to boost agricultural production, strengthen household food security, and improve family incomes through increased crop yields.

She added that the exercise will be extended to the remaining sub-counties of Otuke District in the coming days to ensure more farmers benefit from the intervention.

As the prolonged drought continues to threaten livelihoods and food security in Otuke District, local leaders are calling on the government to expedite emergency relief through the Office of the Prime Minister. In the meantime, the ongoing distribution of hybrid maize seed is expected to help farmers prepare for the next planting season and begin restoring household food production.

Meanwhile, authorities in Otuke District have expressed growing concern over the worsening effects of the prolonged drought, saying the situation continues to deteriorate despite repeated appeals to the Office of the Prime Minister for emergency intervention.

The LC V Chairperson of Otuke District, Francis Abola, made the remarks during an exclusive telephone interview with the Radio Wa News Desk after the district submitted data showing that more than 34,000 households have been severely affected by the prolonged dry spell.

Abola said the district requested urgent food relief and agricultural support from the Office of the Prime Minister but has yet to receive a response, even as residents continue to face acute food shortages.

He noted that reports circulating on social media indicate that the Government of Uganda has allocated five tonnes of hybrid maize seed to Otuke District. However, he questioned whether the allocation would be sufficient, arguing that Otuke remains one of the districts hardest hit by the drought in the Lango Sub-region.

Abola appealed to the government to urgently provide food relief and additional agricultural inputs to help affected households recover and prepare for the next planting season.