Jane Frances Acilo launches district-wide maize grain buying across Oyam

Acaba, Oyam | On December 19, 2025, Jane Frances Acilo, the NRM candidate for the Oyam District Woman MP seat, officially launched the district-wide maize grain buying initiative for farmers.

As part of her core campaign agenda for the people of Oyam, Acilo distributed 1kg of maize seeds to 10 farmers per village early this year, aiming to improve their household incomes.

With beneficiaries of these improved seeds making bumper harvests but lacking markets to sell their produce, Frances promised to link farmers to a profitable market.

While many had thought she would be the buyer of the grains, with the same thoughts turning into political propaganda, Jane Frances Acilo Foundation’s Lesily Ojom-nek cleared the air on Friday.

“She (Jane) won’t buy maize grains for herself, but has linked farmers to a better buyer.”

Bless Ajok, former NRM aspirant with Acilo in the primary election for woman MP flag, echoed the same message in Obangangeo that Jane has only secured a market for farmers.

Throughout her campaigns and at the launch on Friday, Jane asked farmers to utilise the 16 offices she has opened across sub-counties to register their names for a new round of maize seed distribution in February 2026.

She also announced that a kilogram of maize grain would be bought at not less than shs1,000. Should the market demands allow, she said a price per kilo may go upto shs2,000.

Ibrahim Wamala, a producer-dealer with Bayne Corporation Limited, an international company sourced by the JFA Founder and Director, Jane, said once the people of Oyam stand with (Mama) Jane Frances Acilo, the Corporation will remain with the people.

“I want to assure you, this is not political. We have been in the produce business for a long time. I request you to give Mama huge votes for this great opportunity in Oyam.”

The Bayne Corporation Limited’s target, Wamala said, is to make Oyam a model district in produce. “It’s going to be on the record of Lango district that Oyam is leading in produce.

“We are going to give you a very competitive price. But, on condition that you give us good quality maize. It must be dry, cleaned well, and if it’s like that, we are offering shs1,000 per kilogram because we know there is a low price here, but we will give you the price in Kampala,” Wamala promised.

“So, please, please, please. Stand with Mama.”

Speaking to the residents and farmers of Obangangeo and neighbouring Ogwangaapur, Frances said: “To you the people of Obangangeo, truly, God is with you! God knows you. My priority is on grassroots income generation through agriculture. I would like to give strength to the people of Oyam: men, women and the youth.

“I can’t lead you when you are poor.” Human beings, she made it public, can’t be strong enough when they don’t have money in their pockets.

On wealth creation, and how she’s going to achieve it, Acilo urged the people of Acaba not to listen to propaganda and misinterpretation of her promises. “No one should misinterpret my message to you: I have not said anywhere that I will give money to each of you to be wealthy.”

“My vision is to give the people of Oyam hooks, not fish. These hooks are improved maize seeds, wealth creation programs and better markets for our produce.”

“Each and every one of us must have money in our pockets to support households,” she emphasised the message during her rallies at Lelaanok and Wigweng in Anyeke parish and Oporowie Primary School and Atipe Kampala in Atek Ober parish on Friday.

Acilo is aiming to put an end to a “begging culture in Oyam” – a move she said will push her people to work hard.

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“I would like to reduce this idea of when you have a problem you call an MP or a leader. The people of Oyam are farmers but they lack a better market. As a leader, I will link you to a better market, not only for maize, but for everything we produce. This is just the beginning.

“I have not been elected to Parliament yet, but I have done a lot in Oyam which has made me popular. We have been talking for many months, and today, we are here in Obangangeo to launch the maize grain buying.

“This is going to happen across my offices in Oyam, and I will not look at one’s political party. Just go to any of my offices with your maize and get money.

Walter Ebong, a farmer in Obangangeo became the first to sell his maize. With a tipper full of maize grain sacks, Ebong’s two bags weighed 249 kilograms, an equivalent of shs249,000.

“To you, the people of Obangangeo, concentrate on maize farming. A rich buyer has come,” he said with a beaming face and laughter from the crowds.

Evaline Omara of Ogwangaapur said leaders – including aspiring ones – must live to their words. “There is one certain thing: Acilo is winning every heart across the district. What do I need? A true and honest leader.”

Oyam has 1,093 villages, with each having 10 model farmers for maize – according to Jane Frances Acilo.

Statistics from World Vision International and World Food Programme indicate that Oyam is a major maize hub in Uganda, contributing tens of thousands of tonnes annually and experiencing growth in its output.

In recent times, the district has seen substantial increases, with forecasts indicating rises of nearly 9,000 metric tonnes (14%) in some seasons.