Retired civil servant credits Museveni’s visionary leadership for coffee success story

At 68, Julius Akorinako, a retired District Inspector of Schools, is proving that retirement isn’t an ending but a chance for a new beginning. His journey from a modest maize farmer to a thriving coffee entrepreneur in Kamwenge district is a testament to the power of heeding wise counsel, specifically the advice of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

After retiring in 2017, Akorinako faced an uncertain future. “When I retired, I didn’t know what was next. I was earning little from maize, and the returns were discouraging,” he recalls. But a message from President Museveni, delivered during rallies in Kamwenge, stuck with him. “President Museveni always told us… that Maize has no money and that If we wanted to get out of poverty, we should venture into coffee, fruits, poultry and others. That message stayed with me.”

In 2019, Akorinako, residing in Lwamugonera cell, Rwenkuba ward, Kahunge Town Council, Kibale County, decided to act. He started with just two acres of clonal coffee seedlings. Within two years, he was reaping the rewards.

“In the first season alone, I earned Shs 5m. After expenses, I remained with Shs 3m in profit. That was proof that I had made the right choice,” he said, his voice filled with pride.

Encouraged by his initial success, Akorinako expanded his coffee plantation to six productive acres. Today, he earns approximately Shs 20 million every four months, boasting an annual net income of around Shs 40 million.

“I thank President Museveni for opening my eyes,” Akorinako declared during President Museveni’s recent visit to his farm. “I advise fellow Ugandans to take his advice seriously. I have seen the results myself, and my life has changed.”

Coffee farming has not only improved Akorinako’s daily livelihood but also secured a brighter future for his family. “My children have gone for further studies; some even hold master’s degrees. That wouldn’t have been possible without the income from coffee,” he proudly noted.

Akorinako’s farm now employs 20 permanent workers, each earning Shs 200,000 monthly, and provides weekly employment to up to 60 casual laborers. Beyond coffee, he has diversified his agricultural ventures, cultivating bananas on four acres, beans, mangoes on one and a half acres and rearing 60 goats.

To combat drought and maximize productivity, Akorinako has invested in irrigation, utilizing a solar-powered generator to cover five acres, primarily for his coffee and banana crops.

Reflecting on his transformation, Akorinako believes his story can inspire other retirees and aspiring farmers. “Retirement is not the end. It’s a new beginning. With the right mindset and the right crops, you can thrive,” he emphasized.

President Museveni Lauds Kamwenge’s Mindset Shift

President Museveni praised the people of Kamwenge for embracing mindset change and shifting away from subsistence farming, particularly maize cultivation, towards more profitable ventures like coffee growing. “Thank you for listening to my advice and now inspiring others,” President Museveni stated.

He emphasized that this transformation was driven by residents acting on his long-standing message. “When I came here in Kamwenge, people were planting maize… I asked them don’t you see that that’s blindness?”

President Museveni highlighted the importance of knowledge and sound decision-making in alleviating poverty. “Darkness of ignorance is like murder,” he said. He also addressed the dangers of land fragmentation, urging Ugandans to adopt modern land management systems to ensure sustainable prosperity for future generations.

“When we started the student movement in the 1960s, we were already seeing the problems. The enclosure system and inheritance practices were dangerous. If you stay together without dividing the land, then you can share the net profits,” he advised.

He commended Akorinako for his investment in irrigation, pasture, and solar power, highlighting the importance of proactive solutions. “You can’t just sit and wait for rain, then when it doesn’t come, you blame God. In Genesis, God said, ‘Go and multiply,'” he stated.

President Museveni further advised Akorinako to register a company instead of dividing the land, ensuring all family members benefit from the joint enterprise. To support his efforts, the President donated Shs 12 million for the purchase of two more cows and a Fuso truck, symbolizing a continued commitment to empowering Ugandan farmers and fostering economic development.