Okere City

April 2026 Newsletter | Okere City - mailchi.mp/79595d14258b/a…

Convened by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, the meeting created an important platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective input toward protecting and promoting Nilotica shea as a distinctive regional product.

The Nilotica Shea Geographic Indication stakeholders’ consultative meeting, hosted in Okere City, brought together key players in the shea value chain from Otuke, Abim, Lira and Alebtong..

Together with Forested , we’re continuing to support community-led restoration; one seedling at a time.

Today was a big day in Okere City. We distributed seedlings from our nursery to farmers across the community, where they’ll now be planted and cared for. From shea and baobab to calliandra and fruit trees, these seedlings will support both the environment and local livelihoods.

Watering may look simple, but it has a big impact on how seedlings develop. Too little and they struggle, too much and they weaken; it’s all about balance and consistency. The timing, frequency and amount of water all shape how well each seedling establishes and grows.

With a focused commitment to restoring and conserving indigenous tree species, our nursery places special emphasis on shea trees, recognizing their deep ecological, cultural and economic value. Alongside shea, we have also raised a selection of complementary species.

In Okere City, restoration has reached an exciting milestone. From our nursery, carefully nurtured seedlings are now ready for distribution and planting across the community.

Africa’s future is usually imagined in cities. Ojok Okello is building it in the countryside.🇺🇬 @OkereCity is inspired by the idea of rural futurism. Find out more here: ow.ly/PnX350Yzjcx Proud to have him as one of our newest #AfricanVisionaryFellows.💚 #SFFrockstars

Consistency in nursery work is what shapes outcomes in the field. From how growing media is handled to how poly bags are prepared, every detail influences seedling performance. Attention to these early-stage processes ensures we raise strong, uniform seedlings.

Farmers under our Shea Carbon Insetting project received hands-on training in yoke use, sustainable farming, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), and tree planting to support land restoration and climate resilience.

@omo_ding The seedlings are available through Okere City in Otuke District but we also do delivery.

@OkereCity Where can one go to access these baobab seedlings?

Our Forestry Officer is carefully pricking out baobab seedlings. Gently separating and transplanting them into individual pots gives each plant the best chance to thrive.

@obba_jerry The seedlings are available through Okere City in Otuke District but we also do delivery.

@OkereCity Where can I access these Baobab seedlings? Pricing?

When the lesson turns into a whole performance 💃 #classroommoments #anthropology #culturalexpression #okerecommunityschool

It’s fruiting season 🌿✨ The shea trees are alive with promise; branches heavy with fruit, marking a season of abundance, renewal and opportunity. Nature showing up, right on time. #FruitingSeason #NatureInSeason #Sustainableliving

Our March Newsletter is out! Catch up on key highlights, stories and impact. Read more here: mailchi.mp/[xxxxxx]/march…

Sorting is one of the key processes in ensuring proper growth of seedlings in the nursery bed. It involves carefully selecting the strongest seedlings to ensure only healthy plants are transplanted, reduce losses and build a strong foundation for resilient landscapes.

Through the Okere Shea Cooperative, Okere City supports women with skills training, quality processing and market access; turning shea into a reliable source of income. For women like Mary Ocen, a widow, this means rebuilding her life and supporting her household.

Quality begins long before processing. Carefully sorting shea nuts ensures only the best make it forward hence protecting product integrity, reducing waste and strengthening incomes for rural women at the heart of the shea value chain. #SheaValueChain #LocalEconomicDevelopment