ITRACOM holdings seeks 1,000 acres for large-scale rice seed and grain production in Pakwach

Pakwach: ITRACOM Fertilizers Uganda-SMC Ltd, a subsidiary of ITRACOM Holdings, has officially expressed interest in acquiring 1,000 acres of land within the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme in Pakwach District.

The goal is to establish a large-scale rice seed and grain production project, in line with Uganda’s agricultural commercialization agenda.

The proposed project aims to significantly enhance food security, improve rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable agricultural development in the region.

In a letter dated April 6, 2025, addressed to the Chairperson of the Pakwach Wadelai Rice Irrigation Scheme Cooperative Society Ltd, ITRACOM’s Country Representative Jeunlue Bigirimana outlined the company’s intent, highlighting the ideal location due to Wadelai’s reliable water supply, fertile soils, and the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation.

ITRACOM’s initiative aligns with the company’s broader mission to improve food security, empower smallholder farmers, and drive sustainable growth in Uganda’s agricultural sector.

The project is expected to boost rice yields, generate employment, enhance local capacity, and contribute to the commercialization of agriculture in the region.

Bigirimana expressed confidence that the investment will unlock socio-economic benefits and align with the government’s vision for agricultural development.

ITRACOM’s proposal also includes adherence to land-use regulations, environmental standards, and community engagement protocols, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive approach to development.

Company background

ITRACOM Fertilizers Uganda-SMC Ltd is part of FOMI Fertilizers, a Burundi-based firm that operates under ITRACOM Holdings.

The company specializes in the production and distribution of organo-mineral fertilizers across the Great Lakes Region, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Uganda, ITRACOM operates from its office at Plot 2 Ntinda-Kimera Road, Bukenga Building, Kampala.

Stakeholder engagement

The decision to invest in the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme follows a fact-finding mission on April 5, 2025, conducted by ITRACOM Holdings, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and local leadership.

The scheme’s infrastructure including reliable irrigation, fertile soils, and proximity to regional markets provides a strong foundation for high-yield rice production, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan that prioritizes agricultural productivity and value addition.

On April 8, 2025, a stakeholder meeting in Gulu gathered ITRACOM officials, Wadelai farmers, OWC representatives, and General Salim Saleh, OWC’s Chief Coordinator.

The meeting garnered strong support for the project, with local leaders lauding the initiative for its potential to drive poverty alleviation and economic inclusion.

Alex Cwinyaai, Chairperson of the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme, credited President Yoweri Museveni for prioritizing the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme as a catalyst for economic transformation, stating, “This investment will integrate thousands into the monetized economy.”

The Wadelai Irrigation Project, part of the Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Project (FIEFOC-2), is funded by the African Development Bank and the Nordic Development Fund, with a government investment of approximately USD 91.7 million.

The project aims to enhance farm incomes, build climate resilience, and promote sustainable agricultural practices, all of which are key elements of Uganda’s Vision 2040.

Broader regional context

ITRACOM’s proposal comes in the wake of a memorandum submitted by West Nile leaders to General Salim Saleh on March 23, 2025, highlighting the region’s development gaps.

The West Nile Development Association (WENDA), along with private sector stakeholders, has called for increased representation and a tailored development framework for the region’s 3.8 million people.

This proposal envisions leveraging West Nile’s proximity to DR Congo and South Sudan to drive trade and socio-economic growth.

Emilio Wathum Odongo, President of the Forum for Development of Greater Nebbi, described the Gulu meeting as a “fruitful outcome” of the Wadelai fact-finding mission, underscoring the project’s potential to address chronic underdevelopment.

With ITRACOM’s investment, the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme could become a model for agro-industrial growth, contributing to broader goals of poverty reduction, food security, and regional equity.

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