The Northern Uganda Farm Festival was officially launched at Tegot Farmstead in Gulu District, with organizers unveiling plans for a two-day event in December 2026 under the theme 'Kodi Pa Lyec – Seeds of Greatness.' The festival, hosted at the working farm that has become a symbol of commercial agriculture and training in the region, seeks to bridge gaps in knowledge, markets, and partnerships across Northern Uganda's diverse communities. Founder Beatrice Mao emphasized the event's role as more than an exhibition, positioning it as a catalyst for honest dialogue about regional challenges and opportunities.
Mao highlighted the untapped potential of Northern Uganda, which spans West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja regions. She noted the area's fertile land, cultural heritage, entrepreneurial youth, and emerging businesses, but stressed that these assets remain disconnected from markets, investment, and collaborative frameworks. 'The festival is a platform to celebrate our strengths, identify gaps, and build relationships to move forward together,' she said, underscoring the need for regional unity to unlock economic and cultural value.
The event's program will blend practical farm learning with public celebration, featuring exhibitions, live farming demonstrations, cultural performances, and discussions on markets, technology, and youth enterprise. Organizers argue that the festival's unique format—bringing farmers, buyers, artists, and investors into direct interaction—can address systemic challenges that isolated workshops often fail to resolve. 'We want this to become an annual meeting point where culture meets agriculture, and communities meet opportunity,' Mao added.
Local leaders and institutions have pledged support for the initiative. Obol Justine Simpleman, a community representative, called for the festival to translate rhetoric into tangible improvements for households. Deputy Premier Martin Okumu, representing Ker Kwaro Acholi, urged the Acholi sub-region to embrace the event as a shared project rather than a Gulu-centric endeavor. 'A well-organized platform could raise incomes if communities treat it as a collective effort,' he said.
Operation Wealth Creation, led by David Pulkol, endorsed the festival as part of broader efforts to transform subsistence farming into commercial agriculture. Pulkol emphasized the need for Northern Uganda to maximize its land use, stating the initiative would align with government strategies to commercialize smallholder farming. 'We will support the festival in its full capacity,' he said, linking it to national development goals.
The December timing leverages the region's festive season, when cultural activities and family gatherings are already central to public life. Organizers hope this will attract a diverse audience, including farmers, officials, young people, tourists, and investors. However, the festival's success as a sustainable regional marketplace will depend on exhibitor participation, cooperative engagement, and the outcomes of the 'honest conversations' Mao emphasized.
As the seed is planted at Tegot Farm, the coming months will test whether Northern Uganda can coalesce around a shared vision. The festival's ability to foster collaboration and address systemic barriers will determine its impact on the region's agricultural and cultural future. The event's organizers remain optimistic, framing it as a critical step toward unlocking Northern Uganda's potential.