By Agago District Communications OfficeAGAGO, UGANDA – In a significant boost to agricultural productivity and food security, Agago District Local Government has officially flagged off the distribution of 67,740 hand hoes to farming households across all 26 sub-counties. The ceremony, held at the district headquarters, was presided over by LCV Chairperson Wilson Otto, who led a team of district leaders in launching the much-anticipated agricultural support program.
Government Support Through OWC
The hand hoes were provided through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries under the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) program. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to support smallholder farmers, improve household income, and combat food insecurity in rural communities.Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, LCV Chairperson Wilson Otto expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Office of the Prime Minister for supporting Agago households.”Today I am privileged to release about 67,740 household hand hoes that are going to our communities to support farming. I want to thank so much the Minister of Agriculture for supporting Agago households,” said Otto.
Distribution Based on UBOS Statistics
The distribution plan is based on Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) household census data, ensuring equitable allocation across sub-counties. Each household is entitled to receive one hand hoe, and every sub-county will receive a number proportionate to its household count.”Every sub-county will receive according to the UBOS statistics of the number of households they have. Not all sub-counties will get the same number because each has a different number of households counted during the census,” Otto explained.The Chairperson noted that by Saturday, all sub-counties should have received their consignments, after which distribution will cascade down to the household level through lower local governments.
Call to Utilize Tools for Farming
Chairperson Otto urged farmers to make maximum use of the hand hoes during the current rainy season. He emphasized that the tools should be used alongside seeds already distributed through Operation Wealth Creation to plant cassava, potatoes, and maize.”Let us utilize this opportunity of these hand hoes to support us during this rainy season. With the seeds you have received, use the hoes to plant them so that with the rain that has come, you are able to get some harvest to help us fight hunger that is currently striking our district very badly.”He further cautioned farmers against selling the tools, warning that monitoring teams would follow the distribution to the doorsteps of beneficiaries.”Please utilize these hand hoes. Do not sell them. Let them support you to farm cassava, farm potatoes, farm maize so that at the end it can support you.”
Leaders Present at the Ceremony
The flag-off ceremony was attended by a cross-section of district leadership, demonstrating unity and commitment to the agricultural transformation agenda. Among those present were LCV Chairperson Wilson Otto, Chief Administrative Officer Olila Patrick, Mawa Geoffrey, Secretary Finance, Planning and Administration Alexander Okidi, Secretary of Health Akot Susan, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Ocana Morris, Vice Chairperson Achola Fiona, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), and Secretary Works and Production Onen-Chan David.
CAO Calls for Monitoring and Accountability
Chief Administrative Officer Olila Patrick emphasized the importance of proper monitoring to ensure the hand hoes reach intended beneficiaries. He appealed to the offices of the Resident District Commissioner and the Chairperson to consistently monitor utilization.”I am appealing to the office of the Resident District Commissioner and the office of the Chairman to ensure that we consistently monitor the utilization of these hand hoes because there are people who are going to get them and then sell them. If people get and sell them, we should be able to apprehend them and bring them to law.”Olila also noted that the timing of the distribution coincides with favorable weather conditions, urging farmers to take full advantage of the rainy season.”The season we are entering is a very conducive season for planting crops. The weather is improving on a daily basis. These hand hoes can push for change in the district.
Assistant RDC Calls for Mindset Change
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Ocana Morris, who represented the office of the RDC, commended the government of Uganda under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Office of the Prime Minister for providing the hand hoes. He called upon community members to embrace mindset change and work hard to prosper.”I want to appreciate the government of Uganda headed by His Excellency the President, and the Office of the Prime Minister for providing this. These hand hoes are given at the right time because any good farmer should work 24/7.”Ocana drew comparisons with farmers in other regions, urging Agago residents to adopt a culture of year-round farming.”I love the way Baganda always do their work — they can start working from January to December. But our community sometimes is very stubborn. Let us utilize these hand hoes. Let us change our mindsets. Let us work hard to prosper.”He also issued a stern warning to local leaders and police officers to prevent theft or diversion of the tools.”We are sending these hoes to stores at the sub-counties. Please let the hoes not grow wings. We dislike that. I am calling upon our police officers and the executive to control until the days come for distribution to our community.
A Starting Point, Not the Destination
Chairperson Otto emphasized that the hand hoes are just the beginning of a broader agricultural transformation agenda. He expressed hope that in two to three years, farmers who properly utilize the tools would graduate to ox-plows and eventually tractors for commercial farming.”In two to three years from now, those who have received and put them to proper use and are in a position to produce higher yields and improve productivity, we would love to see them migrating to ox-plows, and those who can afford can also go to tractors so that we can do commercial farming. This is just a starting point and they should not remain in the same place.
Unity Among Leaders Praised
The ceremony showcased rare unity among district political and technical leaders, national leaders, and security organs. Chairperson Otto thanked Members of Parliament for Agago, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the President for their support.”I want to take this opportunity to also thank the Ministry of Agriculture, the President of this country, the leaders of this district, and the Members of Parliament for the unity we have exhibited at this time.”He called upon lower local governments to demonstrate the same unity during distribution and warned LC1 chairpersons against nepotism.”LC1 should not remove the name of a beneficiary and begin to put children, aunties, or nieces. We are going to follow this to the doors to ensure that every household receives one hand hoe.
Conclusion
The distribution of 67,740 hand hoes marks a significant investment in Agago District’s agricultural sector. With favorable rains and government support through OWC, district leaders are optimistic that the initiative will boost food production, reduce hunger, and set farmers on a path to prosperity.As distribution begins, all eyes will be on local leaders to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely delivery to every beneficiary household.—For more information, contact:Agago District Communications OfficeP.O. Box, Agago, UgandaFollow Agago District on social media:#AgagoDistrict #OWC #FoodSecurity #UgandaAgriculture