By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo District Local Government has officially launched a three-day Agricultural Trade Show and Coffee Conference scheduled for 11–13 November 2026 at the Kyambogo University Paidha Campus playground.

The announcement was made at a press conference held in the district boardroom at the district headquarters on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

Running under the theme “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Agro-Industrialization and Market Linkages for Wealth Creation,” the event aims to showcase the district’s agricultural potential, with a strong emphasis on expanding coffee production and exports to approximately 61 metric tonnes per annum within the next five years.

District Production Officer Dr. Walter Kumakech told journalists the show is strategic for highlighting Zombo’s untapped potential along key priority commodity value chains, including coffee, banana, Irish potatoes, tea, cassava, honey, horticulture, aquaculture, dairy and small ruminants.

It will also promote the unique tourism attractions and cultural diversity of the Alur, Kebu, Lendu and Lugbara communities.

“The event will create direct linkages between farmers, research institutions, academia, agro-input dealers, processors, manufacturers, traders, buyers and investors from across West Nile, Northern Uganda and beyond,” Dr. Kumakech said.

“It offers a major platform for knowledge and experience sharing on modern agricultural technologies, innovations and sustainable management practices suited to highland agro-ecological systems.”

He outlined plans to boost coffee output through targeted government interventions, including the supply of seedlings, fertilisers and associated agro-inputs, alongside continuous quality extension and advisory services to raise farm productivity, improve quality and minimise post-harvest losses.

“Through the Coffee Conference, we intend to highlight the constraints facing the local coffee industry along the value chain for redress,” he added. “Zombo has thick, fertile clay-loam soils with high water-retention capacity that help crops withstand prolonged dry spells. We are also promoting water-for-production systems to counter climate variability and heat waves.”

According to Jovian Kayenyparwoth, district tourism officer said Beyond the trade and conference sessions, the show will feature traditional and cultural regalia, dances of the Alur, Kebu, Lendu, Madi and Lugbara communities, local cuisines and beverages, and various coffee products.

Farmers, traders, students, researchers and members of the public are invited to attend what organisers describe as a key opportunity to gain agricultural knowledge, explore market linkages and celebrate the region’s cultural heritage.

District Agricultural Officer Patrick Aneniu emphasised that the learning platform will prioritise practical local adaptation solutions to climate change, environmental conservation and integrated farming practices.

These measures are expected to raise agricultural productivity, strengthen food and nutrition security, and increase household incomes amid unpredictable weather, soil degradation and land fragmentation.

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Abenaitwe assured stakeholders that the trade show will build farmers’ capacity for large-scale coffee cultivation.

According to a Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) report, Zombo has already exported 5.6 metric tonnes of parchment coffee in 2026.

Current average land holdings stand at about three acres per household, with some 9,500 hectares under coffee at a productivity of 0.1 kg per tree; the goal is to raise this to 3 kg per tree in coming years.

Charles Etoma, Regional Agricultural Officer for the Arua region under MAAIF, confirmed the ministry will provide full technical support.

Participants will include district extension officers, MAAIF, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), the National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI), development partners, civil society organisations, and religious and cultural leaders. Discussions will focus on commercial agriculture, agro-processing, value addition and climate-smart practices.

District LCV Chairperson James Oruna Oyullu, who also chairs the organising committee, urged leaders from other coffee-producing districts in West Nile, as well as farmers, local leaders, business people and other stakeholders, to participate.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Isaac Urochi assured of heightened security and strict adherence to Ebola standard operating procedures.

The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is expected to be the Guest of Honour.

Organisers have designed the event as a one-stop centre combining agricultural learning, business networking, cultural exhibitions, food and entertainment.Zombo leaders posed for a photo after the official launch on WednesdayLeaders during a press conference

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub for African news trends and updates.