Leaders in Bukedi Sub-region have intensified efforts to fight household poverty through the promotion of coffee and cocoa growing, crops they believe could transform the region economically after decades of dependence on low-income farming.
For years, many families in Bukedi have relied heavily on maize, cassava and rice for both food and income. However, leaders say continued dependence on these crops has contributed to persistent poverty across the sub-region.
Now, Bukedi leaders are championing coffee and cocoa farming as a new economic direction for the area, unveiling the renewed campaign during a colourful event organised by the Bukedi Leaders Forum, which attracted hundreds of farmers, local leaders and stakeholders from the seven districts that make up the sub-region.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who presided over the launch, applauded the initiative and called on the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen support systems for farmers from planting to harvest.
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"Be helpful to us as we introduce crops of high value to our economy. They should be preserved from the time of planting up to harvest," Alupo said.
She expressed optimism that the initiative could drive industrialization, create jobs, and increase household incomes in the region.
"When you produce millions of bags of coffee and cocoa, it means we shall need factories and industries here to process them for export markets. This will create thousands of jobs that will benefit our people," she added.
The campaign comes at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture says scientific studies have confirmed that Bukedi's soils are highly fertile and suitable for coffee production.
Rauben Keimusya, Assistant Commissioner for Coffee Production at the Ministry, said the findings open new opportunities for farmers in Bukedi, Teso, and Northern Uganda.
"We can now confirm that coffee can successfully be produced in Bukedi Sub-region, Teso and Northern Uganda," Keimusya noted.
He added that coffee farming offers significantly higher returns compared to traditional crops.
"After deducting production costs, a farmer can remain with nearly Shs.18 million per acre. These crops are the real deal," he said.
To support the initiative, leaders also launched the annual Bukedi Coffee Run, aimed at raising funds for seedling production and distribution to farmers.
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Tororo County North MP-elect Nicholas Owino described the initiative as a major economic shift for the region.
"It means Bukedi is finally returning to the money economy," Owino said.
Bukedi Leaders Forum Coordinator Jona Oboth said the annual run will be held for the next ten years to ensure sustained seedling support and farmer participation.
"The run will be organized annually for the next ten years as we target raising all these seedlings and even more for our farmers," he explained.
Coffee currently contributes nearly 20 percent of Uganda's export earnings, and leaders in Bukedi believe that with consistent farmer engagement and government support, the region could become a key agricultural growth hub.
