In a landmark gathering signalling a concerted effort to foster sustainable economic growth alongside emerging oil development, Buliisa District this week hosted its inaugural Agri-Business Forum Program, courtesy of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU).
Held at the Buliisa District Local Government offices under the theme, “Empowering Farmers and Enabling Linkages: An Agriculture Value Chain Networking Forum,” the event attracted several stakeholders committed to transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector, particularly within the Albertine Graben.
This powerful convergence united district leaders from key oil-producing and neighbouring areas including Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, Hoima, Kikuube, and Masindi.
They were joined by farmers, alongside agriculture-focused non-governmental organisations like Sasakawa and the World Food Programme.
The forum also saw participation from vital agro-input companies, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), the East Africa Grain Council, and the Joint Venture (JV) partners for the PAU: TotalEnergies EP Uganda, CNOOC Uganda, and the Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC).
The presence of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) was particularly significant, underscoring the government’s strategic focus on leveraging oil and gas development to uplift other critical sectors.
The PAU delegation was led by Ms. Peninah Aheebwa Kajura, Director of Economics and National Content Management, accompanied by Ms. Evelyn Atuhaire, the Economist and Financial Analyst.
Cultivating Value
In her key remarks, Ms. Aheebwa lauded TotalEnergies EP Uganda for its consistent investment in agricultural productivity, which directly contributes to promoting food security across the Albertine region.
This commendation highlights the growing synergy between the energy sector and agriculture, demonstrating how oil companies can play a pivotal role in broader economic development through corporate social responsibility and strategic partnerships.
Ms. Aheebwa’s core message to the farmers was a powerful call to them to transcend primary production and wholeheartedly embrace value addition.
This strategic shift, according to Ms. Aheebwa, is crucial for boosting farmer incomes, creating sustainable jobs, and capturing a larger share of the agricultural value chain.
Furthermore, she urged farmers to proactively tap into export opportunities, emphasising that enhanced connectivity through upcoming infrastructure like the Hoima International Airport will be a game-changer for logistics and market access.
This visionary perspective directly links the massive investments in oil infrastructure to the tangible benefits for agricultural exports, opening new international markets for Ugandan produce.
Driving National Content
The inaugural Buliisa Agri-Business Forum serves as a tangible demonstration of Uganda’s robust National Content policy within the oil and gas sector.
By actively facilitating linkages between farmers and various market players, including the thriving demands of the oil and gas value chain itself, the forum aims to ensure that the benefits of oil wealth are widely distributed and contribute to a diversified, resilient economy.
In her remarks, Ms. Aheebwa noted that this multi-stakeholder approach is essential for:
Job Creation
Providing sustainable livelihoods for communities in the Albertine Graben and beyond, particularly as the oil sector matures.
Food Security
Strengthening local food systems to meet regional demands, including those generated by the growing oil and gas workforce.
Economic Diversification
Safeguarding the economy against the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on oil revenues (often termed “Dutch Disease”) by fostering robust growth in non-oil sectors like agriculture.
Capacity Building
Equipping farmers with the knowledge, inputs, and market access needed to transition from subsistence to commercial farming.
The forum’s focus on “networking” and “linkages” is particularly critical. By connecting farmers directly with agro-input companies, off-takers, financial institutions, and expert NGOs, it breaks down traditional barriers to market access and fosters a more integrated and efficient agricultural value chain.
The successful inaugural Buliisa Agri-Business Forum marks a pivotal step in Uganda’s journey towards sustainable and inclusive development.
It underscores the collaborative spirit required to ensure that Uganda’s rich agricultural potential is fully harnessed alongside its emerging oil wealth, ultimately driving prosperity for all Ugandans.
In her remarks, Ms. Aheebwa commended TotalEnergies EP Uganda for its continued investment in agricultural productivity to promote food security in the Albertine region.
She encouraged farmers to move beyond primary production and embrace value addition, tapping into export opportunities, especially with enhanced connectivity through the upcoming airport infrastructure.