Kamuli, Uganda: Farmers and local leaders have been urged to prioritize food safety, post-harvest handling, and market financing to strengthen Uganda’s agricultural value chain and ensure long-term food security and nutrition.
The call was made by the State Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Fred Kyakulaga, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr. Julius Twinomatsiko, Coordinator for Food and Nutrition Security at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, during the Food and Nutrition Security Marketplace held at Butansi Sub-county Headquarters, Kamuli District, under the theme “Connecting Farmers, Partners and Innovations.”
Minister Kyakulaga emphasized that while Uganda has enormous agricultural potential, this capacity remains underexploited due to poor post-harvest handling, limited access to technology, and inadequate infrastructure.
“Unsafe food is as good as no food. Let us focus on food safety, sustainability, and commercialization of our food systems. Agriculture remains the most reliable and rewarding enterprise for our people,” Kyakulaga’s message read.
The event also saw 10 out of 710 locals receive customary land titles processed by Cordaid, an initiative aimed at securing land ownership and boosting agricultural investment.
The Minister commended The Kingdom of the Netherlands and its partner organizations for implementing projects that align with Uganda’s goals of improving food security and nutrition through participatory planning and innovation.
“This gathering marks a significant step forward in our shared mission to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and overall food system transformation,” the Minister added.
Netherlands Urges Focus on Agriculture, Not Oil
Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, Bouwe Jan Smedding, cautioned that despite Uganda’s discovery of oil, it remains a temporary resource—unlike agriculture, which he described as the most sustainable and rewarding enterprise that continuously supports families and communities.
“Agriculture contributes directly to livelihoods and the economy. It is where we must invest our collective effort to create lasting impact,” Smedding said.
He reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to strengthening resilient food systems, promoting innovation, and supporting Uganda’s vision of becoming the regional food basket.
Ms. Judith Okuonzia Tomma, Deputy Project Manager of the SNV INCLUDE Project, highlighted persistent challenges such as soil fertility loss, low yields, and pest outbreaks. She said SNV and its partners are tackling these through interventions like soil health improvement, small-scale irrigation, and value addition.
Christine Isanga Kimbugwe, Vice Chairperson of the Greater Kamuli Cassava Cooperative, credited the SNV marketplace for empowering farmers with post-harvest handling skills that eliminated aflatoxins and opened up lucrative markets.
“Our farmers now supply over 50 tons of cassava monthly. When the Dei Bio Pharma vaccines factory opens in Kamuli, we’ll be supplying cassava as raw material,” Kimbugwe revealed.
Florence Muyama Wakoba from the Bukalasa Women’s Group, Bududa, applauded Netherlands-supported projects for economically empowering women and breaking poverty cycles.
“These projects have liberated women from dependence. They now run businesses, support families, and have regained dignity and a place of leadership in their homes,” she said.
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