Acholi chiefdom authorities crack whip on idle youth through agriculture drive

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Acholi chiefdom (Ker Kwaro) authorities have intensified efforts to combat youth unemployment, crime and social decay by mobilising young people into agriculture and other productive activities across the Acholi sub-region.

The cultural institution has embarked on a campaign to empower prime ministers of various chiefdoms to coordinate youth development programs alongside zonal leaders and clan heads.

According to chiefdom agriculture minister David Livingstone Amone, the initiative seeks to redirect errant youth away from criminal behaviour and into meaningful economic activities.

“We are engaging the youth to abandon criminal acts and embrace productive work,” Amone said during a community mobilisation exercise on May 8, 2026.

“Those who refuse to change may be taken to correctional facilities for rehabilitation before they are reintegrated back into their families.”

Amone explained that the intervention followed a recent production tour by the Acholi Paramount Chief across 52 chiefdoms out of the 58, where several social and economic challenges were identified. Among the major concerns were land conflicts, drug abuse, livestock theft, laziness, gender-based violence, unemployment, and illiteracy among the youth.

He noted that many young people have abandoned rural homes for urban centres in search of opportunities, only to end up struggling for survival and, in some cases, turning to theft.

Under the new initiative, affected youth will be enrolled in skills training centres, remand homes, and rehabilitation programs aimed at transforming their mindset before being reintegrated into society.

Amone further urged the youth to participate in environmental conservation and commercial farming through tree planting and cultivation of perennial crops such as coffee and cocoa.

He revealed that Ker Kwaro Acholi is working with development partners and government institutions, including Kijani Forest and Uganda Prisons Service under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, to supply coffee seedlings and other agricultural inputs to youth groups.

Meanwhile, Innocent Betty Achan, the managing director of INNOVE Seed Company Limited, said her organisation has launched empowerment initiatives targeting vulnerable youth in Northern Uganda.

Achan disclosed that the company successfully secured 13,500 coffee seedlings through the office of the prime minister to support 90 youth who will cultivate 30 acres of coffee plantations.

“The beneficiaries have already undergone training on mindset change and modern agronomic practices for coffee growing,” she said.

She added that a charity and fundraising event held on Saturday under the theme, “Charity and Fundraising for Youth Empowerment Projects in Northern Uganda,” aims to raise shillings 10 million to support youth groups in the region.

In the Chua chiefdom, Mario Omona said local leaders had resolved to apprehend wayward youth and send them to correctional facilities for rehabilitation.

Omona said the move has received support from many community members, although some parents, especially mothers, remain concerned about the welfare of their children.

“Several youths have already undergone rehabilitation, and the feedback we are receiving is encouraging. Many are changing positively and will soon return to their communities as responsible citizens,” he said.