Otuboi town: Growing business hub in Kalaki

With more urban councils sprouting up, Teso Sub-region has several town councils with opportunities to exploit such as Otuboi.

Otuboi, which is northwest of Kalaki District on the northern highway, is a fast developing town council with a population of about 10,660 people.

The town, surrounded with swamps, has old buildings that are always given a fresh coat of paint.

The town also has a couple of storied and commercial buildings under construction.

It is a home to a number of ethnic groups, including Iteso, Kumam, Langi, Baganda, Bagisu and Acholi, who are tapping into the town’s opportunities.

Mr Julius Peter Opejo, the village chairperson for Akisim Ward, says there is a rush for space for development, which was not the case 10 years ago.

“Otuboi looked like a ghost town, but when the northern highway from Soroti Town was upgraded to tarmac in 2010, Otuboi became an attraction for business,”  Mr Opejo says.

He says lodging facilities and other businesses have emerged, adding that when Kalaki was granted a district status three years ago, everyone thought Otuboi would be the district headquarters.

However, due to politics at play, he says the headquarters were taken to Kalaki Town Council.

“We are well-placed and surrounded by Kaberamaido, Dakolo, Amuria and Alebtong districts. This has given Otuboi an advantage because people from neighbouring districts find it near to buy merchandise from wholesalers,” he says.

Mr Opejo also says the value of land has increased, varying from Shs8.5m to as much as Shs25m for commercial developers on the highway, while a street a plot goes for Shs15m.

Regarding security, Mr Opejo says the town has few crime cases.

“Crime remains mild. We don’t have cases of robbery, and breaking into houses. The only challenge we are facing is the growing number of sex workers taking advantage of truck drivers,” he adds.

Ms Christine Akello, a wholesale trader, says the weekly cattle market has boosted business in the town.

“We have businessmen dealing in cattle who start trekking as early as Wednesday ahead of the cattle market on Saturday,” Ms Akello says.

The dealer in household items says the Dinkas from South Sudan and people from central region flock the area to buy animals for city dwellers in Kampala andJuba.

“I opened up business in 2016, but I have managed to grow it. I now sell to retailers from Kaberamaido, greater Kalaki, Amuria and Alebtong districts,” Ms Akello adds.

However, she says the town faces water shortage since the reservoir at Otuboi Police Station is too small to meet the demand of the population.

The town council chairperson, Mr Anthony Ejangu, concurs with Ms Akello saying: “We have been in contact with the district leaders who say they will not give Otuboi borehole sources. We are being programmed for piped water, and that is the mandate of National Water and Sewerage Corporation,” Mr Ejangu says.

He says they need constant supply of water for urban dwellers and the nine private and government teaching institutions.

Revenue growth

The town council chairperson, Mr Anthony Ejangu, says the lodging facilities have increased from three to 10, hence increasing the local revenue. On market days, he says facilities run out of space.

“That is when we have close to 500 guests spending a night in Otuboi. Those who cannot find accommodation spend nights in trucks and bars,” he says. Mr Ejangu adds that about 10 individuals from central region acquired plots they intend to develop for commercial activities.

“That tells you the economic prospects people have seen in Otuboi. I believe it would have been better had they constructed district headquarters here,” he says.

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