Uganda’s agricultural sector, the backbone of its economy, is set for a major transformation through enhanced collaboration with the United Kingdom. At the inaugural UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum held in Kampala on Wednesday, government officials, businesses, and development partners from both nations convened to chart a course for boosting farm productivity, increasing exports, and building climate resilience.
Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), who represented Uganda, said that this partnership is a key driver for the country’s broader economic ambitions, particularly its “ten-fold-growth” strategy.
“Agro-Industrialisation is a pillar of Uganda’s National Development Plan, through which the government seeks to boost agricultural financing, expand agro-industrial infrastructure, enhance access to technology, and strengthen value chains to increase the country’s agro-exports,” Maj. Gen. Kasura said.
The Core of Uganda’s Economy
Agriculture is a dominant force in Uganda’s economy, employing over 70% of the population and contributing approximately 24% to the national GDP.
It also accounts for 42% of total export earnings, with coffee, tea, cocoa, and horticultural products being major foreign exchange earners.
Despite its importance, however, the sector is plagued by challenges such as low productivity, limited access to modern technology, and climate-related shocks.
According to Maj. Gen. Kasura, the government’s Agro-Industrialisation pillar within its National Development Plan, is designed to address these very bottlenecks.
“By focusing on boosting agricultural financing, expanding infrastructure, and strengthening value chains, Uganda aims to commercialise its agriculture and increase the value of its exports,” he noted.
Strategic Partnership for a Sustainable Future
The UK’s commitment to this transformation is clear. As British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Lisa Chesney, stated, “This goal cannot be realised without transforming agriculture as Uganda’s biggest employer.”
She noted that the UK has a long history of supporting the sector, with notable initiatives like:
Nexus Green, a UK business that has partnered with the Ministry of Water and Environment to roll out irrigation schemes.
The £39 million Climate Smart Jobs programme, which is working with farmers in Northern Uganda to boost climate resilience.
She stressed that a significant tool in this partnership is the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which simplifies access to the UK market for Ugandan exporters by offering reduced tariffs.
This, she observed, combined with the convenience of Uganda Airlines’ new direct flights to London, creates a seamless pathway for Ugandan produce to reach UK consumers.
The forum is expected to strengthen these ties by linking UK and Ugandan agribusinesses, raising awareness of new agricultural technologies, and identifying and resolving trade barriers for policymakers.
By fostering this collaborative ecosystem, the forum is not only about trade; it’s about building a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector that can power Uganda’s socio-economic transformation for years to come.