By Okidi Patrick
Repositioning Lango, a great call to action by Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul for Regional coffee production per family.
LIRA, UGANDA- March 27,2026: During a landmark regional consultative stakeholders meeting held at Canon Lawrence on Friday, Ambassador Ogwang Dickson Okul issued a transformative challenge to the people of Lango to embrace coffee and cocoa farming. Under the theme “Repositioning Lango as a hub for high-value coffee and cocoa value chains”, The Ambassador emphasized that the future of leadership and economic stability in the sub-region rests on tangible productivity. He specifically tasked every household in Lango sub- region to dedicate at least two hectares of their farmland for coffee cultivation.
Ambassador Okul noted that leadership in the modern era is defined by one’s contribution to the community’s output. He pointed to prominent figures who are already leading by example, demonstrating that agriculture is the backbone of regional wealth and socio – economic transformation. By integrating high-value crops like coffee and cocoa, Lango can shift from subsistence farming to a robust commercial hub.
The meeting highlighted the proactive roles played by relegious leaders and cultutlral leaders in secular development as well as coffee farming. Ambassador Okul praised Bishop Omara for his tireless efforts in drilling boreholes across Lango sub- region to provide clean water for both domestic use and irrigation. Similarly, Professor Bishop Alfred Olwa was commended for initiating comprehensive training programs and maintaining over ten hectares of coffee trees, proving that high-value agriculture is viable in Northern Uganda.
Sustainability and Environmental Governance
Mr. Hans De Heer, the CEO of Platus Coffee Group, introduced a critical component to the discussion: Strengthening Environmental Sustainability and Good Governance (ESG). He warned against the current trend of charcoal-driven deforestation and proposed bamboo growing as a sustainable alternative. Furthermore, he emphasized the urgent need for processing industries within Northern Uganda to ensure that farmers retain more value from their produce.
Environmental expert Eddy Moris Ogweng emphasized that farming success depends on understanding climate patterns.
Stakeholders were tasked to immediately mobilize farmers for specialized training as the whole rLango sub region gers for coffee farming, a key gradual step towards regional coffee and cocoa Productivity.
The wonderful consultative meeting held on Friday in Lira city marks a strategic move towards Coffee and cocoa growing in the Lango sub-region hence by focusing on coffee and cocoa, the region is moving toward global commodity markets. Ambassador Dickson Okul’s mandate for two hectares per family is not merely an agricultural suggestion but a strategic economic directive aimed at poverty eradication. This initiative requires a business mindset, as echoed by Bishop Omara, who has already established ten water points for demonstration in Amolatar and otger districts in Lango sub- region through his church initiatives.
Water remains the most critical factor for agricultural success where watering of seedlings isneeded . Bishop Omara disclosthat he has provided over 100 water wells in Lango and recently expanded to Kotido district highlights the infrastructure-first approach needed for this project. Without reliable water for production, the ambitious goal of a coffee hub remains out of reach. The integration of irrigation systems with coffee plantations is the intended path forward for regional resilience.
The ESG component aa elaborated by CEO Hans Fe Heer ensures that Lango’s agricultural growth does not come at the cost of its forests or soil health but several collective interventions.
He said processing industries in the North will reduce transport costs and increase the profit margins for local farmers.
In conclusion, a vibrant call to action for Lango farmers has been made by Dickson Ogwang Okul and Hans togather with several stakeholders.
The success of this regional repositioning depends on the active participation of every stakeholder. From understanding climate patterns to adopting new bamboo cultivation techniques, the roadmap is clear. Farmers are encouraged to seek training and align their efforts with the standards set by the Platus Coffee Group and regional leadership.
By embracing the two-hectare challenge, Lango can secure its place as a leader in Uganda’s agricultural export economy, ensuring prosperity for generations to come through sustainable and productive farming practices.
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