President Museveni has commissioned the Shs71 billion Achomai Irrigation Scheme in Kamutur Sub-county, Bukedea District, urging farmers to shift to irrigation-based rice cultivation on dry land instead of wetlands to protect the environment and boost productivity.
Addressing residents, government officials, and local leaders at the commissioning ceremony, Museveni described the completion of the project as a significant milestone in Uganda’s agricultural modernization efforts, particularly in the Teso and Bugisu sub-regions.
“I’m very happy to commission this Achomai irrigation scheme,” he said. “It’s good to grow rice, but grow it safely, not in the swamp. Take water from the swamp to the dry land and irrigate. That way, you’re helping nature by creating rain when it’s not raining — that is healthy and good.”
The President cautioned farmers against cultivating rice in wetlands, noting that the practice destroys ecosystems and disrupts natural water cycles.
He emphasized that irrigation offers dual benefits — increasing yields and controlling floods through efficient water storage and management.
“When you irrigate, you produce more per hectare, and at the same time, you prevent floods from destroying property. With proper dams, water is captured and used when needed,” he explained.
Museveni said the project demonstrates the government’s broader commitment to transforming subsistence farming into commercial agriculture, through the use of technology and infrastructure to improve productivity per acre.
“The result of all this is higher yields from the same land,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who also serves as Bukedea Woman Member of Parliament, praised the President for fulfilling his pledge to the people of Bukedea, describing the irrigation scheme as “a dream turned into reality.”
“Before you brought this dam here, I used to think it was a myth. Now I see it in reality. This place used to flood, but today we have a fully-fledged irrigation scheme serving nine villages — seven from Bukedea and two from Bulambuli,” Among said. “I also want to thank you for improving the road network, which now makes it easier to cross into Bulambuli.”
Among, who launched the project’s construction in December 2021, also commended Dott Services Limited, the contractor, for the quality of work delivered.
Engineer Athanasius Ssebugwawo, the Contract Manager for the Achomai Irrigation Scheme, said the project was implemented under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme (AVCP) — a government initiative supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
He explained that before the project, the area experienced extreme weather conditions — severe droughts during dry seasons and floods during rains — making it difficult for farmers to sustain livelihoods.
“Before the project, Achomai and surrounding areas faced prolonged droughts and heavy floods. Today, farmers grow crops all year round, and livelihoods have greatly improved,” Eng. Ssebugwawo said.
The irrigation scheme now covers approximately 2,200 hectares, stretching across Bukedea and Bulambuli districts. It features an administration block, drying yards, a warehouse, workshop, bridge, and 58 kilometers of access roads.
The Shs71 billion ($19.9 million) project was co-funded by the Government of Uganda and the African Development Bank, as part of efforts to strengthen the agricultural value chain — from production to processing and market access.
With over 1,800 acres already cultivated and plans to expand to 2,000 acres in the next planting season, the Achomai Irrigation Scheme is expected to transform the region’s agricultural landscape, improving food security and household incomes.
The commissioning marked the final stop on the President’s Teso sub-region tour, after which he began his campaign engagements in the Bugisu sub-region ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Throughout the tour, Museveni has consistently highlighted irrigation, value addition, and agro-industrialization as key pillars of Uganda’s path to achieving middle-income status.
