The morning sun rose gently over the undulating hills of Zombo, casting long rays across the fertile lands of Nebbi and Zombo districts. By 7am, small-scale farmers were already working their gardens. Women carried baskets of food to market, while men debated football, politics and life at trading centers.
For generations, Nebbi with 299,398 people and Zombo with 312,621 have been known for their beauty, hardworking communities, rich traditions and strong agricultural backbone. The two districts, home mainly to the Alur people, carry stories of resilience, unity and hope.
At Kango trading center, 69-year-old Joseph Opio sat beneath a tree watching traders arrange sacks of coffee by the roadside. ‘In those years, we grew a lot of maize, cassava, beans and Irish potatoes and hunger was not heard of. The land was very fertile and people envied us for the gift. But these days, people sleep hungry because they sell all food items because of high demand for food and money for upkeep,’ he said.
Coffee has become the new mainstay. Zombo’s cool highlands and fertile soils make it one of the leading Arabica coffee-growing areas in the region, prized for its unique flavor. ‘You cannot miss taking coffee once you visit a family here. Even when you are in the garden, we sipped coffee while working,’ Opio said.
Muscular men loaded coffee beans onto trucks bound for Kampala, Mbale, Arua, Lira, Masindi and Gulu. For farmers like Denis Odarowa, who inherited a two-acre plantation, coffee has been transformative. ‘Coffee changed my life,’ he said while sorting ripe red cherries. ‘I paid school fees for my younger brothers and built my mother a better house.’
Social policy analyst Sam Kumakech calls Zombo the food basket of the region. ‘We produce huge amounts of bananas, coffee, Irish potatoes, vegetables which are organic. The fine Arabica coffee places huge opportunities because many farmers can reap from it,’ he said.
Being on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo also opens cross-border trade. Ministry of Trade statistics show over 2,500 traders ply routes to and from DRC weekly, with trucks carrying building materials, fuel and other goods through Goli and Padea border points daily. Local industries are emerging too, including wine and coffee processing plants in Paidha town employing dozens of youth.
Tourism is another untapped opportunity. Zombo has Leda, where two rivers meet; Ajere Hills with traditionally known ‘magic’ waters; Nyagak River falls and meanders where hydro-power dams sit; and royal tombs dating back centuries. ‘We have royal tombs that are dated centuries ago that are still visible in Zombo district,’ Kumakech said. ‘We need the tourism sites which need to be developed right from Pakwach to Zombo because these can create economic opportunities. Even our cultural sites, dances, cuisines remain a hidden treasure for us.’
In Nebbi, hidden gems include the burial site of Nyipir at Kucwiny, Nduru Hill, and Biku Church in Goli, home to what is said to be the smallest church in the world. ‘The Alur King’s Royal Palace still needs development. We have Nyagak which has falls, the Agu Hills for hiking and picnics. From Agu Hill, you can have the view of Lake Albert in Panyimur in Pakwach district,’ said Zombo District Tourism Officer Jovian Kayenyparwoth.
Cross-border trade, however, is hampered by insecurity. Last year, Col. Disanoa Laula, Administrator of Military Affairs in Mahagi Territory, admitted challenges remain. ‘We have challenges in managing our economy due to border conflicts and crimes which shouldn’t be the case. If we all speak the same language, we can manage and transform our economy,’ he said.
Across the two districts, young people increasingly see agriculture as business, not just survival. The rolling hills produce bananas, maize, beans and groundnuts, and markets overflow during harvest.
Culture remains the glue. Marriage ceremonies, clan meetings and traditional dances unite communities. At a recent celebration in Paidha, dancers moved to Agwara trumpets, Ndara xylophones and Adungu instruments while elders narrated stories of the Alur kingdom. ‘Our young people need to be exposed to our traditional culture because some are staying in the cities where different cultures are being practiced,’ said Alur Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala. ‘Through cultural events that now take shape to guard against erosion, people are made to know their culture.’
Nebbi’s plains in Erussi, Ndhew and Atego support crop farming and livestock, while trade routes link the districts to DRC. President of Greater Nebbi Forum Emilio Odongo sees more potential. ‘We still have huge demands for development of the hotel industry because we have huge economic and tourism opportunities. Fish farming is a huge opportunity because we have a cool environment,’ he said. ‘Coffee and cocoa are standing as huge export earning crops. If we can promote commercial cocoa growing, then the chocolate production can be done in Kampala, which is not far for transportation.’
Challenges persist. Roads like Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Warr-Vurra remain in poor state, though some feeder roads have improved. Farmers still struggle with poor storage, changing weather and fluctuating prices. ‘In the financial year 2024/25, we managed to work on most of our feeder roads. So, this was to enable our farmers to transport their goods to markets easily because people need money in their pockets,’ said Zombo LC5 Chairperson James Oyullu.
Farmers are adapting through savings groups and women’s associations that add value to cassava flour, simsim paste and dried fruits. At sunset, Nebbi town glows quietly as motorcycles buzz through streets and traders close shop.
For elders like 78-year-old Celestina Acikani of Kango Sub-county, the lesson is clear. ‘We survived to live long because we worked together. The land gave us organic food, and culture gave us our identity. We did not tolerate laziness, everyone was a hard worker,’ she told children gathered around a fire.
Today, Nebbi and Zombo stand as symbols of resilience in West Nile. From coffee hills at the Congo border to valleys in Erussi, farmers step into gardens with hope.
‘I am targeting to earn Shs 28 million in two years in the piggery and the practicing of good agronomics in onion growing,’ said Ezekiel Onyuthi, a farmer in Gonyobendo. ‘There is a huge market for onions both in our local markets and DRC.’
As drums of tradition beat across hills and valleys, the message remains: progress and heritage can thrive together. These districts are more than lines on a map. They are living examples of how culture and agriculture can shape communities, strengthen economies, and inspire hope.