The great displacement: How Nwoya was denied its $3million agro-processing institute

𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙥𝙞𝙡.

The relocation of the $3 million World Bank-funded Agro-Processing Institute from Nwoya to Bunyoro has left many in Nwoya District grappling with a deep sense of loss. This missed opportunity is particularly painful given the district's potential for significant agricultural and economic development, coupled with the vast, yet untapped, oil wealth in Jobi.

A crucial question emerging from this situation is why Nwoya, despite its clear promise, was overlooked.

Notably, Hon. Tonny Awany, the Physical Infrastructure Chairman and a native of Nwoya, was in a prime position to influence this decision.

Yet, the institute was ultimately constructed in Bunyoro, raising concerns about the representation and advocacy for Nwoya's interests at the national level.

The loss extends far beyond mere monetary value. It has denied the district's youth critical employment opportunities and the potential to acquire skills that the Agro-Processing Institute was poised to provide.

This institute could have been a cornerstone for economic empowerment in Nwoya, nurturing skills that align with the district's agricultural potential and enabling local residents to thrive.

Moreover, there is growing unease regarding the management and distribution of the vast oil wealth in Jobi.

Despite government assurances, the anticipated benefits from this resource have yet to materialize.

The pressing question now is whether Nwoya will receive any form of compensation or benefit from this oil wealth, or if it will become yet another missed opportunity, akin to the loss of the Agro-Processing Institute.

Further complicating the situation is the ongoing development of oil infrastructure, which is being promoted under the misleading notion that Uganda's largest oil fields are located in Bunyoro (mid-western Uganda).

In reality, the Acholi sub-region accounts for approximately 4 billion barrels, representing 60% of Uganda's declared oil reserves.

The Lyec oil field alone contains more than 1 billion barrels, and together with the Jobi and Jobi East fields, these sites stand out as some of the most accessible and valuable in the country.

Given that ATRO E$M (formerly Mott MacDonald Uganda) was contracted by the Ministry of Education and Sports and the World Bank to conduct comprehensive surveys and investigations—including topographical surveys, geotechnical studies, environmental and social impact assessments, architectural and engineering designs, and preparation of technical specifications—what prompted the relocation?

These activities, initiated in Nwoya, Northern Uganda, in 2020, were successfully completed by 2021.

The institute was expected to be a vital asset, equipping the region’s youth with the skills necessary to capitalize on employment opportunities arising from the burgeoning petroleum industry.

The relocation raises serious questions: Why, after the successful completion of these detailed activities, was the institute shifted?

Is this a case of mismanagement, corruption, or deliberate oversight? The World Bank, having invested substantial funds, must critically examine how these resources were utilized to ensure that such a vital project is not squandered.

In conclusion, Nwoya District has suffered a considerable setback with the loss of the Agro-Processing Institute—a setback further exacerbated by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding its oil wealth.

It is imperative that local leaders and the community demand accountability, ensuring that Nwoya receives its rightful share in Uganda’s national development initiatives.