Beyond the Crown: CEO City Gate Mixed Farm- Pius Olam Encourages Northern Uganda's Youth to Build Wealth Through Agricultu

LIRA CITY, UGANDA – While thousands of  flocked to Lavington Park in Lira City last Saturday to witness the crowning of the new Miss Tourism Northern Uganda queen, one message stood out beyond the glamour and celebration: Uganda's future prosperity lies in agriculture.

That was the central message delivered by Mr. Pius Olam  the Chief Executive Officer of City Gate Mixed Farm, who used the colourful tourism event to challenge young people, professionals and the beauty contestants to embrace farming as a profitable enterprise capable of transforming lives.

Speaking during the grand finale, Olam said although many young Ugandans continue to pursue white-collar jobs, agriculture remains the backbone of the country's economy and one of the most reliable avenues for wealth creation, employment and food security.

 "Agriculture should never be viewed as a profession for people who have failed elsewhere. It is a business with enormous potential. Whether you are a doctor, teacher, engineer, civil servant or entrepreneur, you can invest in farming and build another source of income," Olam told the audience.

He thanked the Miss Tourism Northern Uganda organisers for partnering with City Gate Mixed Farm and incorporating agritourism into the competition by taking contestants on an educational visit to the farm.

According to Olam, exposing beauty queens to modern farming demonstrates that agriculture and tourism can complement each other in promoting economic development, environmental conservation and cultural heritage.

 "We were honoured to host the contestants at our farm. They showed genuine interest in learning modern farming practices, and I encourage other young people, schools and community groups to visit, learn and appreciate the opportunities available in agriculture," he said.

Olam revealed that his decision to establish City Gate Mixed Farm was inspired by his lifelong passion for livestock farming and the government's continued campaign encouraging Ugandans to embrace commercial agriculture, particularly the Presidential Four-Acre Model.

He admitted that starting the project was challenging because of limited resources and the prevailing economic conditions but said determination and gradual investment enabled him to grow into one of Northern Uganda's emerging model farms.

 "You do not need hundreds of acres to become successful. Start with what you have, however small it may be. Consistency, good management and patience will help you expand over time," he advised.

He challenged graduates and working professionals to stop viewing farming as a retirement activity, arguing that investing in agriculture alongside formal employment creates financial security and additional income.

 "Many people die poor because they underestimate the value of land. If you own ancestral land, put it to productive use instead of leaving it idle. Land is one of the greatest assets a family can possess."

Before the pageant finale, Miss Tourism Northern Uganda contestants visited City Gate Mixed Farm in Amuca along the Kampala–Lira Highway, where they exchanged high heels for gumboots and participated in practical demonstrations on modern farming techniques.

The visit formed part of the pageant's agritourism programme aimed at promoting agriculture as a viable career and business opportunity while encouraging young women to become ambassadors for food security, environmental protection and rural development.

Unlike conventional beauty contests that focus mainly on fashion and entertainment, the Miss Tourism Northern Uganda initiative increasingly integrates entrepreneurship, cultural preservation and community development into its activities.

City Gate Mixed Farm has grown into an integrated demonstration farm that receives students, farmers, investors and community groups seeking practical knowledge on commercial agriculture.

The farm combines dairy cattle, poultry, coffee, bananas, pasture production and organic manure processing, creating multiple income streams throughout the year.

One of its flagship projects is a thriving coffee plantation, challenging the long-held perception that coffee cannot be successfully grown in Northern Uganda.

Olam said the farm also provides agricultural consultancy services, quality farm inputs, livestock, training opportunities and market linkages to farmers across the region.

"Agriculture is one of the few businesses where demand never stops. Every day hotels, schools, hospitals, restaurants and households need milk, eggs, meat, fruits and vegetables. The market is always there for farmers who produce quality products," he noted.

He nevertheless cautioned that profitable farming requires discipline, proper planning, improved breeds and seeds, disease control, adequate feeding and strong farm management.

Olam observed that one of the biggest obstacles preventing many young Ugandans from venturing into agriculture is the negative perception that farming is only for the elderly or those who have failed academically.

He urged schools, parents and development partners to change that narrative by encouraging practical agricultural education and entrepreneurship among young people

"Agriculture is not punishment. It is business. It creates employment, improves household incomes and contributes significantly to Uganda's economy. We need more young people to see farming as a pathway to prosperity."

Contestants Inspired

Miss Tourism Northern Uganda Operations Manager  Jimmy Olal said the pageant seeks to produce ambassadors who can champion community transformation beyond the beauty stage.

"Our goal is to nurture leaders who appreciate culture, tourism, entrepreneurship and agriculture. We want these young women to return to their communities as role models promoting sustainable development," Olal said.

One of the contestants, Melisa Atim, described the farm visit as eye-opening, saying it had inspired her to invest in commercial goat farming after the competition.

"I discovered that agriculture is much bigger than I imagined. It is about creating jobs, fighting poverty and improving livelihoods. I want to encourage fellow young women to embrace farming as a business," she said.

Agriculture and Tourism Working Together

As Northern Uganda continues to recover economically and attract new investments, partnerships that combine tourism, agriculture and youth empowerment are increasingly being recognised as practical tools for creating jobs and reducing poverty.

For many who attended this year's Miss Tourism Northern Uganda finale, the most memorable message was not only who wore the crown, but the reminder that lasting wealth can begin with a small piece of land, a clear vision and the determination to invest in agriculture.