P7 dropout, teacher, now millionaire poultry farmers in Lira

Lira | President Muesveni Yoweri Kaguta has issued a number of wealth creation messages as one of the ways to lift Ugandans out of poverty.

Museveni’s pro-wealth messages, whether through demonstrations or speeches, have inspired some. Those who took his words seriously are now millionaires.

Curfew Okello, who left teaching, believes that commercial farming is preferable to teaching. “I was a primary school teacher at one of the government-aided schools, but due to my low salary, I decided to leave teaching and start a business.”

Curfew told tndNews from his home in Anai cell, Anai Ward, Lira City West division, that he prefers business to teaching. “I am now earning more than shs3m per month.”

“I began this project in 2022 with ten chickens and am still graduating. Currently, I have over 300 birds. I buy chicks for shs3,000 and then sell them for shs10,000 after one month.

Curfew sells mature chickens for between shs35,000 and shs40,000. “This project is much better than teaching,” he insisted.

“Unfortunately, I wish I had started this project when I was younger. I am now 57 years old, with five children. Although I have not yet benefited from government programmes such as PDM, my business is doing well.”

A teacher turned poultry farmer has a message for job seekers. “I am telling you that you do not have to rely on your qualifications; you can outperform those who work for the government.”

“I am requesting government assistance because I am experiencing difficulties in running this project. My challenge is security due to the unfenced environment. Two months ago, I lost over 20 chickens at the hands of the wrong people.

“Another challenge is that the environment in which I keep over 300 birds is a small plot of land measuring 25/30.”

Another motivated P7 dropout!

Jasper Okello is a primary seven (P7) dropout. Following the President’s speech on commercial farming, he revealed that he currently earns more than sh2 million per month from poultry.

Okello, 52, began his project in 2018 with 40 local chickens, but all died. “I did not give up. Again, in 2019, I switched to cross breeds, and I now keep more than five different types of birds on my small 11/27-metre plot of land.

He has eighty chickens, including pigs, rabbits, and goats. “I dropped out of Alibi Primary School in Oyam district.”

Currently, the 52-year-old project is located in Anai Ober Cell, Anai Ward, Lira City West Division.

“I want to assure the public that commercial farming can be profitable. I am only a P7 dropout, but I plan to expand my farm to a demonstration site soon. Right now, I have an egg-laying machine.

Okello said he now receives orders from all over the country.

“I have trained over 200 people,” he said with pride.