Chief Justice backs coffee farming to transform Acholi region

By Claude Omona

GULU - Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo has called on the Acholi people to embrace coffee farming as a strategy to combat poverty and rebuild their communities.

Speaking at the launch of the Acholi Education and Scholarship initiative on February 18, 2025, at Watoto Church in Gulu city, the Chief Justice highlighted coffee cultivation as a sustainable way for the region to regain the wealth lost during the civil wars.

"In just four years, you can begin harvesting beans, generating income throughout the year," he said.

Justice Owiny-Dollo, a key figure behind the ‘Roco Paco’ program launched two years ago, was joined by Ambassador Olara Otunu, another founder of the initiative, who reinforced the message, emphasising that coffee farming will help lift many out of poverty.

However, concerns were raised about the risk of farmers being exploited if they continue selling their harvests to middlemen instead of accessing better markets.

Caroline Adong, Gulu city's finance secretary, stressed the need to include people with disabilities in the program, noting that they are often excluded from such economic initiatives.|

Gulu city mayor Alfred Okwonga called for the establishment of a reliable coffee market to support farmers, while Samuel Abola, a former forest officer, suggested setting up a mother garden for seedling production to ensure easy access to quality planting materials.

Timothy Jokene Okee, a past winner of the Vision Group's Best Farmers Awards, warned that some farmers might sell their coffee prematurely, preventing them from maximising their profits.

Meanwhile, Gulu District Local Government chairman Christopher Opiyo Ateker announced that land has been allocated to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) for coffee production. 

He revealed that the initiative, backed by an investment of over shillings 13 billion, has the potential to transform the Acholi region’s economic future.