Farmers occupying the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme in Pakwach District fear losing their crops to theft or destruction as district authorities enforce a directive requiring them to vacate the project area.
The concerns emerged on Friday during a monitoring visit to the multi-billion-shilling irrigation project by State Minister for Water Aisha Sekindi, district officials and other stakeholders. Several families were still occupying the area despite an eviction deadline of October 30, 2026.
Beru Mugisa Oyirwoth, a farmer and resident of Dei Sub-county, said the proposed relocation areas are far from their gardens, making it difficult for them to monitor their crops if they leave.
Oyirwoth fears that unattended gardens could be vandalised or their produce stolen. While some farmers have relocated to neighbouring communities, others are yet to leave the project area.
Pakwach District Chairperson Shaban Ofoi Kinobe said the eviction directive would remain in force, urging the affected farmers to relocate to neighbouring communities to allow the irrigation project to operate without future disputes over occupancy.Kinobe said the authorities were determined to enforce the directive to protect the project area from continued occupation.
About two weeks ago, district authorities, together with the Resident District Commissioner, directed all households occupying the project area to vacate or risk having their structures demolished.However, Sekindi declined to comment on the concerns raised about the project, saying her visit was intended to follow up on its implementation at the direction of the President.
According to project figures, 753 farmers, comprising 16.5 percent women and 83.5 percent men, are using more than 1,210 acres of the completed and functional command area. Of the 20 blocks in the original project design, 10, covering 1,210 acres, are currently under active cultivation.
The scheme is managed by the Wadelai Irrigation Water Users Association, a farmer-based organisation responsible for generating revenue to support the project’s operation and maintenance. Farmers pay an annual water-user fee of 100,000 Shillings per acre to support the sustainability of the irrigation scheme.At least 223 farmers have also subscribed to the Wadelai cooperative society. Membership costs 10,000 Shillings, while each share costs 5,000 Shillings. A farmer must purchase at least five shares to qualify for membership-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
