Pakwach, Uganda— ITRACOM Fertilisers Uganda-SMC Ltd., a subsidiary of ITRACOM Holdings, has formally expressed interest in acquiring 1,000 acres of land within the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme in Pakwach District for a large-scale rice seed and grain production project.
The proposed investment, according to company officials, is aligned with Uganda’s agricultural commercialisation agenda and aims to enhance food security, improve rural livelihoods, and support sustainable 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, Mr. Jeunlue Bigirimana, communicated the company’s intent.
“We write to express our interest in securing 1,000 acres of land within the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme to develop a large-scale rice seed and grain production project,” the letter reads.
Mr. Bigirimana emphasised that the scheme’s consistent water supply, fertile soils, and strong government backing for agricultural transformation make Wadelai an ideal site for investment.
ITRACOM Fertilisers Uganda-SMC Ltd. positions itself as a key player in Uganda’s agricultural landscape, with a mission to improve food security, empower smallholder farmers, and promote sustainable growth.
The proposed rice initiative is expected to boost yields, create employment, build local capacity, and contribute to the commercialisation of agriculture in West Nile.
“We believe this investment will unlock significant socio-economic benefits while supporting the government’s vision for agricultural development,” Bigirimana stated.
The company has also pledged compliance with all land-use regulations, environmental safeguards, and community engagement requirements—signalling its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
Company Background
ITRACOM Fertilisers Uganda-SMC Ltd is a subsidiary of FOMI Fertilisers, a Burundi-based firm under ITRACOM Holdings, specialising in the production and distribution of organo-mineral fertilisers across the Great Lakes Region.
The company operates in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with its Ugandan headquarters located at Plot 2 Ntinda-Kimera Road, Bukenga Building, Kampala.
Site Visit and Stakeholder Support
The proposal follows a fact-finding mission held on April 5, 2025, involving ITRACOM officials, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), and leadership from the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme.
The mission assessed the scheme’s infrastructure, which includes reliable irrigation systems, nutrient-rich alluvial soils, and access to regional markets—creating an enabling environment for rice production.
A stakeholders’ meeting held in Gulu on April 8, 2025, brought together ITRACOM executives, local farmers, OWC representatives, and General Salim Saleh, Chief Coordinator of OWC.
During the meeting, the project received endorsement from leaders such as Alex Cwinyaai, Chairperson of the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme; Odongo Emilio Wathum, a community leader; and Maj. (Rtd) Emmanuel Owacgiu, OWC Coordinator for Pakwach.
“This investment will integrate thousands of our people into the monetized economy,” Cwinyaai remarked, praising President Yoweri Museveni for prioritising the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme as a key driver of poverty alleviation and inclusive growth.
National Framework and Development Goals
The Wadelai Irrigation Scheme is part of the broader Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Project Phase II (FIEFOC-2), supported by the African Development Bank and the Nordic Development Fund.
The project, with an estimated investment of USD 91.7 million, is one of four national irrigation schemes aimed at increasing farm incomes, building climate resilience, and fostering sustainable natural resource management.
The initiative is central to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plan III, which prioritise agricultural modernisation and agro-industrialisation as levers for economic transformation.
Regional Development Context
ITRACOM’s proposal comes on the heels of a March 23, 2025, memorandum presented by West Nile leaders to General Salim Saleh.
The document—authored by the West Nile Development Association (WENDA) and private sector stakeholders—calls for equitable regional development, enhanced representation, and a targeted development framework for the region’s 3.8 million people.
The leaders also advocate for leveraging West Nile’s strategic proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan to drive trade and economic integration.
Odongo Emilio Wathum, president of the Forum for Development of Greater Nebbi, described the Gulu meeting as a “fruitful outcome” of the Wadelai fact-finding mission, noting its potential to tackle the sub-region’s chronic underdevelopment.
With ITRACOM’s entry, the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme is poised to become a model of agro-industrial transformation—aligning with Uganda’s goals of poverty reduction, food security, and regional equity.
