Oyam Police Commander Urges Youth to Embrace Farming Over Risky Job Promises

9 June 2026, 11:25 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

The District Police Commander of Oyam, SP Francis Okongo, has called on the youth in Oyam District to make better use of the available land for farming instead of chasing false job opportunities that often end in suffering.

Speaking to our reporter on Tuesday afternoon, SP Okongo made the remarks after receiving 21 youth at Oyam Central Police Station. The group had been rescued from Hoima City after being lured with fake job offers in Kiboga forest plantations. When the situation worsened, they trekked to Hoima City, where they were eventually rescued.

Okongo cautioned the youth against falling victim to deceitful promises of “juicy jobs” without proper verification. He emphasized that farming within Oyam and the wider Lango region offers a safer and more sustainable livelihood. He also appreciated Hon. Patrick Ogwang Obura, the Oyam South MP and Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, for providing accommodation, food, and transport to the stranded youth in Hoima.

Stephen Agip 18, from Aleka Sub-county in Oyam North, shared his ordeal, saying he suffered greatly during the two weeks in Kiboga. He explained that he survived on soup with little food, bathed only once, and was forced to sleep under makeshift shelters while locals slept comfortably in houses. He described the experience as segregation and hardship.

Ivan Okello 20, a Senior Four leaver from Dokolo District, recounted how he and others were forced to work from morning until sunset under the so-called China International Forestry Company. He advised fellow youth to avoid such exploitative jobs and instead return to farming, promising to resume cultivation himself. Okello further revealed that recruitment centers for these fake jobs exist in Abok and Aleka in Oyam District, as well as Kole and Agwata in Dokolo District. He urged leaders to remain vigilant and dismantle these centers to protect young people.

Denish Omara, 21, from Okwerodot Sub-county in Kole North, said he feared for his life after realizing the false promises. He explained that they were fed only soup, sometimes with just three beans, and had no beds to sleep on.