We are Ready for Business to Eliminate Relief Dependency-Acholi youth

A group of young people from the Acholi sub-region has underscored the significance of generating more business opportunities in their locality. They firmly believe that fostering such opportunities will foster self-reliance among the local population, thus reducing their dependence on relief aid and charitable handouts.

The Acholi sub-region has grappled with economic challenges, particularly in the wake of the protracted rebel Lord’s Resistance Army-LRA insurgency. Historically, the region's path to recovery has heavily relied on relief donations and government interventions, notably the Northern Uganda Social Adjustment Fund (NUSAF). 

During a presentation of investment prospects for their region at the Gudie Leisure Farm Training Center in Najjera on Tuesday, the youth representing various parishes passionately articulated the necessity for heightened business activity. They perceive this as a pathway to break free from the reliance on relief aid that has been impacting the local population. 

This group of motivated young people, numbering over 4,200, is organized under the banner of the Gudie Leisure Farm Parish Entrepreneurship Learning Associations (PELA). Two representatives from Gulu and Nwoya presented their collective aspirations. Andrew Respect Onekalit, the PELA district chairperson for Nwoya, emphasizes that the time is ripe for serious investors to turn their attention to the region. 

The society has made significant strides in recovering from the war, and there is now an abundance of untapped arable land, presenting vast opportunities for extensive agriculture. Onekalit adds that the youth in the region are prepared and eager to work; what's needed is an injection of investment to provide them with a unique advantage. 

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Another promising avenue in the region is tourism. Osborn Ogwenrwot, the Gulu district PELA chairperson, pointed out that due to the insurgency, numerous potential tourist sites have remained overlooked. Now is the opportune moment to rectify this situation, and investors should explore this promising sector as well.

He remarked, "Although the insurgency attempted to tarnish our image, that's not who we are. We have places like Fort Patiko, the Gulu-Gulu cave, rich culture, and captivating traditions—all awaiting full exploration for the benefit of everyone." Ogenrwot stressed that, despite their past, they should not be defined by it, citing 2nd Corinthians 5:17 from the Bible, which states, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here." 

Juliana Adyeeri Omara, a renowned fruit farmer and chairperson of the Nwoya Fruit Growers Association, highlighted the region's gift of natural flat landscapes. Coupled with the availability of vast, untouched land, this presents an opportunity for mechanized agriculture. 

She explained, "It’s only in this region where a person can have over 20,000 acres of land, all cultivated. It's not surprising that it's where the largest number of tractors in the country are used, opening up opportunities for agri-tourism."  Adyeeri also noted the region's rapidly growing population, which signifies market sustainability and an eager, readily available workforce for participation in innovative enterprises.

Gudla Nayiga Basazza, the founder of Gudie Leisure Farm, highlighted that their organization has gone the extra mile to document unique, unexploited tourism sites. The youth have played a significant role in this effort through their various PELAs. 

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Nayiga believes that all eight districts in the region are actively engaged in this transformation journey, led by the youth. This is seen as a promising sign of continuity and progress.