### **BUKEDEA: State House Delivers 3,360 Passion Fruit Seedlings to Empower Apopong Farmers**
The Office of the President, under the State House Poverty Alleviation Program, has delivered 3,360 passion fruit seedlings to farmers in Apopong Parish, Kolir Sub County, Bukedea District. The event, which took place on Tuesday, 11th November 2025, was witnessed by William Wilberforce Tukei, the Resident District Commissioner for Bukedea.
The seedlings, intended to benefit 45 model farmers in the region, are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to uplift local communities through sustainable agricultural initiatives. Tukei emphasized the significance of this program, noting that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is committed to improving the livelihoods of Ugandans through various poverty alleviation schemes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and Women Empowerment Programs (WEP).
“Today, we received the passion fruit seedlings, and with a kilo of passion fruit currently priced at 5,000 shillings, we are optimistic that this will improve our household incomes once we start harvesting,” Tukei remarked.
Ms. Hellen Akello Ekumu, the Private Secretary to the President, explained that the initiative specifically targets youth in the region, with the goal of helping them break free from the cycle of poverty. “This project was lobbied by Speaker Anita to provide a sustainable source of income for the people of Bukedea,” Akello stated.
One of the beneficiaries, Joseph Odeke, expressed his gratitude for the government’s support, highlighting the challenges local farmers have faced in setting up their own ventures. “We are grateful to the President and the government for this initiative. We hope this will help us build a stable income and improve our living conditions,” Odeke shared.
The passion fruit project is initially being piloted in Apopong Parish before being expanded to other parts of Bukedea District, offering hope for future growth and prosperity in the region.
