“Whatever You Do, Do It To Improve Yourself. Let Your Work Speak. Banks, Insurers, Even The Government Will Come Looking For You.”

Success Story: Madam Oroma – From Grapes to Gold in Nebbi

In the heart of Nebbi Municipality, a remarkable woman is transforming her compound into a hub of agribusiness excellence. Madam Oroma, a proud member of the Nebbi Area Cooperative Enterprise, has turned a small initiative into a multi-million-shilling enterprise—proving that with knowledge, commitment, and hard work, greatness is possible.

🍇 From Grapes to Glory
In 2018, Madam Oroma received value addition training from the Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) in Nebbi. That training focused on grape production and the power of adding value to what one grows—even in the smallest of spaces.

With just six grape stems planted in her compound, she harvests three times a year, producing up to 85 kilograms per season. At a market price of UGX 8,000 per kilogram, she makes UGX 2.4 million annually from raw grapes alone. But Oroma didn't stop there—she adds value through processing, packaging, and innovation. Her annual income from value-added grape products has soared to an impressive UGX 63.7 million!

She also earns from seedlings. Each cutting sells for UGX 4,000, and in 2024 alone, she expects to make UGX 7.2 million from seedlings sales. And with grapes having a lifespan of over 100 years, the investment keeps giving.

🍯 The Sweet Side of Success: Honey
Her venture into beekeeping added another layer to her success. Starting with just passion and training, her honey business gained attention. She innovatively processes Vaseline from beeswax, which caught the attention of the Commissioner of Cooperatives. This breakthrough led her to travel to China, courtesy of the Ministry, to showcase her product.

Her hard work paid off again in 2023 when she was profiled under Harvest Money Uganda, emerging winner in West Nile and ranking 13th nationally. In 2025, she’s headed to the Netherlands—another milestone in her journey.

She has since been supported with close to UGX 20 million worth of equipment from the Government of Uganda, including a settling tank, wax extractor, sieving machines, and containers. Just last week, she received 11 modern beehives—a reward for her unwavering work ethic.

“I injected UGX 10 million in honey,” Oroma says proudly. “I buy only combed honey to maintain the highest quality, and from that, I now earn UGX 78 million in profits annually. Nothing from bees goes to waste.”

💡 A Word to Fellow Cooperators
Despite her success, Oroma remains grounded and passionate about the cooperative movement. But she’s quick to point out one major challenge: passive membership.

“People wait until money comes in, then they show up,” she says. “But true cooperators should be active from the start. I won’t chase those who aren’t ready—I’ll focus on producing quality that attracts partners.”

Her message is clear: “Whatever you do, do it to improve yourself. Let your work speak. Banks, insurers, even the government will come looking for you.”

💬 Final Words from Madam Oroma
“In my small community, I’m now the richest woman—and it’s all thanks to the cooperative model and hard work. Let’s stop underutilizing our land. Let’s plant grapes, rear bees, and benefit from this supportive government. Under a cooperative, the world opens up for you.”

📞 To connect with Madam Oroma for mentorship or insight, contact: 0772 515 724