farming 18 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Retired Teacher Dickson Ogira Thrives with Shs36 Million Mango Farm in Abim
After early retirement due to threats in Kaabong, 64-year-old Dickson Ogira Koreya transformed free government mango seedlings into a booming commercial farm in Abim District, earning Shs36 million annually from over 200 trees. His success story promotes modern farming in Karamoja, funding family needs and his first car. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/dickson-ogira-retired-teacher-who-has-found-joy-in-mango-farming-5427152
In Arengekitohoe Village, Abim District, 64-year-old retired teacher Dickson Ogira Koreya tends to his mango orchard under the midday sun. This former educator from Kaabong took early retirement following three attempts on his life over positions in the education department.
Several years ago, he received free mango seedlings from the government’s Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) program. Unlike many locals who neglected theirs, Ogira nurtured them diligently, seeking advice from other farmers and walking over 10km for irrigation water.
His farm now boasts over 200 fruit-bearing trees, including high-yielding Apple, Kent, and Boribo varieties that fruit twice yearly. Each mature tree produces 300-600 fruits, generating Shs18 million per season or Shs36 million annually—far more than his teaching salary.
Ogira protected young plants from goats and cows using dung as a repellent. He stresses selecting sandy, loamy, well-drained soils and opting for grafted varieties ideal for commercial use due to early maturity and better quality.
Proceeds have covered family fees, medical bills, and enabled him to buy a Toyota Harrier. He plans to expand to 1,000 trees, start goat farming, and explore agroforestry with pine trees.
Challenges include theft, anthracnose, powdery mildew, fruit flies, and seed weevils, managed through pesticides, pheromone traps, and advice from the district agricultural officer.
Retired extension worker Steven Adei notes mangoes thrive in Karamoja’s greenbelts and calls for mindset shifts, using model farmers like Ogira as learning centers.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)