ADJUMANI DISTRICT

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ADJUMANI DISTRICT BEGINS CONSULTATIONS ON PROPOSED ATIAK IRRIGATION CANAL PROJECT.

By Bazio DoreenAdjumani District Local Government has begun stakeholder consultations on the proposed Atiak irrigation canal project, which is expected to extend across seven sub-counties in Adjumani as part of a wider irrigation initiative involving neighboring Amuru District.The consultations are aimed at gathering views from local leaders, technical officers and other stakeholders to guide the proposed canal's boundary demarcation, alignment and design ahead of implementation.On October 20th, 2026, the district leadership, in collaboration with Ingeniosite Engineering Consult Ltd, held a consultative meeting at the district headquarters attended by members of the District Executive Committee, district councilors, sub-county chairpersons, Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officers and technical staff from the Production and Natural Resources departments.The proposed project, initiated by Atiak Sugar Factory, is expected to cover approximately 109 kilometers across Ciforo, Ofua, Arinyapi, Pakele, Adropi, Dzaipi and Ukusijoni sub-counties.The project will draw water from the River Nile to support irrigation and agricultural production. It also includes plans for greenhouse establishment and the development of selected agricultural enterprises in the participating sub-counties.Consultations to guide project planningEdema Richard, the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Adjumani District, clarified that the meeting was a consultative exercise and not the commencement of construction works.He explained that the engagement was intended to obtain views from local leaders and technical stakeholders to inform the planning process.Edema also emphasized the importance of preserving the names of streams along the proposed canal route, noting that local geographical features and their names should be recognized during the planning and boundary demarcation exercise.He further explained that the proposed project falls under a public-private partnership arrangement involving Atiak Sugar Factory, in which the Government of Uganda has a 40 per cent stake through the Uganda Development Corporation.Irrigation infrastructure to support agricultural productionEng. Joseph Kyagulanyi, the project team leader, said the proposed canal was initiated to address the factory's need for a reliable water supply to support its operations and agricultural activities.He explained that the proposed design would include fencing, on-site water storage and escape structures to manage excess water and help reduce flooding risks.The use of water from the River Nile is central to the proposed irrigation scheme, which is intended to improve water availability for agricultural production. The technical planning process will guide the canal's alignment and the infrastructure required along its route.Greenhouse farming and new agricultural opportunitiesMesiku Harriet, Adjumani District Senior Land Management Officer, informed the meeting that the proposal includes: the establishment of greenhouses and support for agricultural enterprises in the selected sub-counties.She explained that each participating sub-county is expected to provide 10 acres of land for greenhouse establishment and select an enterprise from nine proposed options, mainly involving fruits, coffee and cocoa.She also outlined plans to irrigate 80 acres along the canal and support eligible beneficiaries to obtain customary land titles.The proposed activities are intended to expand agricultural opportunities in the participating communities by supporting greenhouse farming, crop diversification and access to irrigation. The selection of enterprises will help guide agricultural planning within the respective sub-counties.District leadership calls for coordinated planningHon. Anyanzo John Ambayo, Adjumani District Chairperson, informed stakeholders that a feasibility study had been conducted and that further consultations would be organized with relevant line ministries, local leaders, Horyal Investment Holding Company Limited and the intended beneficiaries.He said a memorandum of understanding would be signed with Horyal Investment Holding Company Limited after the final project design had been presented and approved by the district authorities.The district leadership emphasized the importance of involving local leaders, technical departments and communities throughout the planning process to ensure that their views inform decisions on the proposed canal route and associated agricultural activities.Environmental protection and support for local farmersLagu Charles, the District Agricultural Officer, called for the project to support sugarcane out-growers in Adjumani while creating opportunities for agricultural development across the participating sub-counties.He recommended that a specific agricultural enterprise be selected for each sub-county and urged the project team to ensure that environmental protection is incorporated into the project planning process.His recommendations highlighted the importance of coordinating agricultural development with environmental conservation and the interests of local farmers.Agreed actions to guide the next phaseDuring the meeting, stakeholders agreed on several actions to support further consultations and project planning.These include:Organizing an exchange visit for district councilors, Community Development Officers, Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officers, sub-county chairpersons and district technical staff to learn from comparable initiatives.Holding consultations with Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, Local Council I chairpersons and other stakeholders in the selected villages.Undertaking boundary demarcation along the proposed canal corridor.Conducting community sensitization meetings for residents living along the proposed route.Organizing radio talk shows to raise awareness and provide opportunities for public engagement.Convening a joint meeting involving leaders from Adjumani and Amuru districts and technical representatives from relevant line ministries.Ensuring that Horyal Investment Holding Company Limited is represented in all planned engagements.Fast-tracking the final project design for presentation and consideration by the district authorities.The agreed actions will guide continued engagement between the two districts, the project proponents and local communities as the project design is developed.BackgroundAtiak Sugar Factory is a major agro-industrial investment in Amuru District involving Horyal Investment Holding Company Limited and the Uganda Development Corporation. The factory was established to support sugar production, promote sugarcane growing and create economic opportunities in northern Uganda.The proposed irrigation canal forms part of efforts to strengthen water availability for agricultural production. By linking irrigation infrastructure with greenhouse establishment and selected agricultural enterprises, the initiative is expected to support agricultural development in the participating sub-counties.For Adjumani District, the current consultations provide an opportunity for local leaders and technical officers to contribute to the planning process, coordinate with neighboring Amuru District and ensure that community views are considered in the proposed project's design.Adjumani District Local Government will continue engaging relevant stakeholders as consultations, boundary demarcation and technical planning progress. Construction and implementation arrangements will follow the completion and approval of the final project design and the necessary agreements.END.

ADJUMANI DISTRICT COUNCIL HONORS PIONEER CHAIRPERSON JB OPIO, RESOLVES TO NAME KEY FACILITIES IN HIS MEMORY.

By Bazio Doreen. Adjumani District Council has paid tribute to the late Hon. John Boyi Opio, the first District Chairperson of Adjumani, recognizing his contribution to education, public service, community leadership and environmental conservation.The tribute was made during a special district council meeting held on 16th October, 2026, where councilors and district leaders reflected on the late Opio’s legacy and resolved to name key district facilities in his honor.The council resolved to rename the Administration Road that connects Gulu – Adjumani highway to Paridi Stadium; as JB Opio Road. It also proposed that a planned Resource Centre to be constructed at the district headquarters under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP II) be named after him.District Chairperson, Hon. Ambayo John Anyanzo, described the late Opio as a role model teacher, mentor and political father to many serving leaders in the district.“As a pioneer leader, the late Hon. JB Opio demonstrated that sacrifice is an essential virtue in leadership. His commitment to serving the people earned him their trust and respect,” Anyanzo said.He explained that the meeting was initially intended to be a joint Ma’di Sub-region Council gathering but proceeded as a district-level tribute because the chairpersons of Moyo and Obongi districts were away on official duty in Kampala.Hon. Anyanzo also revealed that the Ma’di Sub-region Convention planned for December 2027 is expected to establish a prominent Ma’di Elders Forum to strengthen the participation of elders in community affairs and regional development.He added that the late Opio’s photograph would be included in the Hall of Fame being developed at the new district council hall, preserving the memory of leaders who contributed to the district’s development.The district chairperson further urged the District Service Commission to consider qualified children of former leaders when filling available positions, in accordance with the established recruitment procedures and merit-based requirements.The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Adjumani, Obumai Simon Peter, described the late Opio as a selfless, peace-loving patriot who dedicated a significant part of his life to serving the people.He called on current leaders to emulate Opio’s example, particularly his commitment to unity, public service and environmental conservation.Representing the Lajopi Clan, Thomas Lagu described the late as a humble and unifying leader who valued teamwork and cooperation.Beyond his political career, Opio served as a head teacher at Cesia and Onigo Primary Schools. He later chaired the District Service Commission during the tenure of former district chairperson Hon. Owole Nixon.He was also a prince in the Lajopi Clan and a respected farmer known for growing mangoes, demonstrating his involvement in both community leadership and agricultural enterprise.His daughter, Glofa Opio, remembered him as a cheerful, hardworking and responsible father who cared deeply for his children.The late Opio who died at Adjumani Hospital on 9th October 2026 after a short illness was survived by a large family, including 6 wives, 22 children and 76 grandchildren, according to information shared during the meeting.The district’s resolutions to honor him through public infrastructure and the Hall of Fame are intended to preserve his contribution to Adjumani’s history and inspire future generations of public servants.END.

SAVE THE CHILDREN LAUNCHES CLIMATE-SAVVY CHILDREN PROJECT IN ADJUMANI TO STRENGTHEN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

By Bazio Doreen.Adjumani District has taken a step towards strengthening climate change resilience among school children and surrounding communities following an inception meeting for the Climate-Savvy Children in Uganda project held on 13th October 2026 at the District Natural Resources Department Boardroom.The meeting brought together key stakeholders and district technical from the education, natural resources and production departments to discuss the implementation of the initiative, which seeks to promote climate literacy, energy conservation, ecosystem restoration and tree planting in refugee-hosting communities.The project is being implemented under the Uganda Refugee Resilience Initiative (URRI) by a consortium led by Save the Children International (SCI), with support from Haldor Topsoe. Valued at Ugx 247,232,380/=, the project is scheduled to run until July 2027.Speaking during the meeting, Aciro Kevin, Programme Manager at Save the Children International, said the project would help children and communities understand climate change and adopt practical measures to respond to its effects.“We can’t run away from harsh weather and therefore people need to adopt resilience initiatives and adapt to climate change,” Aciro said.The initiative targets 10 schools, 10,000 children, 1,000 vulnerable households and 40 artisans across Adjumani and Lamwo districts. In Adjumani, the project will work with selected schools and communities to promote sustainable environmental practices and reduce reliance on traditional firewood use.Planned interventions include: establishing 10 functional climate clubs, installing 10 institutional cooking stoves and planting 500 seedlings across four nursery sites.The project also seeks to reduce firewood consumption, although the precise reduction target and measurement method will need to be confirmed during implementation.Aciro emphasized that community ownership would be critical to sustaining the project's achievements beyond its implementation period.“We shall consider schools that are ready to commit to owning the project and taking good care of the trees,” she said.Allan Ssebutinde, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator at Save the Children International, explained that the organization would assess schools against established selection criteria before identifying the final beneficiaries.“I request the District Education Department to submit a list of 20 schools for assessment, from which five schools will be selected,” Ssebutinde said.The remaining five schools will be selected in Lamwo, bringing the total to 10 schools across the two districts.Among the considerations are the availability of a school feeding programme and the school's readiness to support the interventions and maintain the facilities provided.The Resident District Commissioner, Toko Swaib, commended Save the Children International for selecting Adjumani for the initiative and encouraged the project team to prioritize fruit trees, which could provide both environmental and nutritional benefits.“The PTAs, and SMCs, need to understand what this project is about before they commit to ease implementation. This will also help us achieve sustainability when the project ends,” Toko said.He also called for relevant authorities in selected schools to be oriented on the project and advised the implementing team to avoid schools already benefiting from similar interventions, where possible, to promote fair distribution of resources.The District Vice Chairperson, Hon. Obulejo Geoffrey, urged the project team to extend its engagement beyond school administrations to include communities surrounding the selected schools.“I am a tree grower and I also know the benefits of trees. We have unreliable rainfall and our people are starving. We need our farmers to also embrace afforestation,” Hon. Obulejo said.  He noted that strengthening community participation could help reduce dependence on forest products and encourage households to explore alternative sources of fuel.The initiative comes at a time when Adjumani is experiencing climate-related challenges, including a recent three-month dry spell and concerns about heavy rains and possible flooding. These conditions underline the importance of strengthening preparedness, environmental conservation and community-level adaptation.To promote sustainability, the project plans to support maintenance committees and work with School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). Climate-related activities are also expected to be integrated into school improvement plans to encourage continued action after the project ends.END.