LEST YOU FORGET, AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES NEWS UPDATES 2025
AGROREF UGANDA
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW; WEEKLY
AGRICULTURE –COOPERATIVES (AGRICO) NEWS UPDATES
LEST YOU FORGET; EDITION-(II) 01st April
to 31st August 2025
We take this
opportunity to congratulate you upon completing the Month of August and warmly
welcome you to September 2025
About AgroRef Uganda
Agriculture Reform (AgroRef) Uganda is a
Not-for-Profit Organization focusing on advancing agricultural policy reforms,
budget advocacy; and supporting the building of systems, fostering values of
equity, accountability, transparency, and sustainability of organisations,
especially smallholder farmer organizations including but not limited to
agricultural cooperatives using a Human Rights Based Approach.
AgroRef Uganda compiles news from different
media houses and outlets that have been published over time and shares them
with our key stakeholders. The purpose is to keep farmers and other key
stakeholders updated and informed of the operating environment in the country.
Opinion: Conference of Parties
(CoP)
Over the
last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global
warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the
consequences of climate change, and they are expected to get worse.
Through the
Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, but the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere keeps rising,
heating the Earth at an alarming rate. Scientists warn that if this warming
continues unabated, it could bring environmental catastrophe to much of the
world, including staggering sea-level rise, devastating wildfires,
record-breaking droughts and floods, and widespread species loss.
Global
Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures | Council on Foreign Relations
TERRORISTS
‘WEAPONIZE’ FOOD ACCESS TO GAIN SUPPORT
Terrorist groups such
as Boko Haram and al-Shabaab have long had a simple philosophy for controlling
the people they can’t win over: Take away their food. For years, their
attacks against markets, supply sources and farmers have reduced food availability.
They have contaminated and destroyed farmland in ways that make it unusable for
years. In a 2025 study, researchers Simone Papale and Emanuele Castelli quoted
a farmer in Somalia as saying, “wherever al-Shabaab goes, drought
follows.” Warfare and terrorist violence always have been linked to food
security problems, starvation and famine. Terrorism can cause food disruptions,
undermining production systems and supply routes. Terrorists take away their
victims’ food and often use it as ransom, giving it back to force them into
submission. Terrorists
‘Weaponize’ Food Access to Gain Support - Africa Defense Forum
UK,
UGANDA PARTNERS HOLD FIRST EVER JOINT FORUM ON AGRO-INDUSTRIALISATION
The Ministry of
Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries was represented by the Permanent
Secretary Maj. Gen. (Rtd) David Kasura-Kyomukama at the first UK-Uganda
Agro-Industrialisation Forum that was held today, with representatives of the
UK and Ugandan governments, farmers, businesses and development partners
discussing collaborations to boost farm productivity, exports to the UK,
regional food trade, and climate resilience. As highlighted by the
Permanent Secretary, the UK provides significant financial support to Uganda
annually through various channels, including direct funding to organizations
and programs focused on development, humanitarian aid, and trade. https://www.agriculture.go.ug/2025/08/27/uk-uganda-partners-hold-first-ever-joint-forum-on-agro-industrialisation/
ITRACOM FERTILIZER SIGNS LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO
ESTABLISH ORGANIC FERTILIZER FACTORY IN UGANDA WORTH US$180MILLION
In a
significant step toward transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector, Itracom
Fertilizers Uganda -SMC Ltd, led by Mr. Adrian Ntigacika, has signed an
agreement to establish a state-of-the-art organic fertilizer factory in
Kampiringisa, Uganda. The initiative, backed by a directive from His Excellency
the President of Uganda, aligns with the nation’s vision to enhance
agricultural productivity through sustainable practices. The signing ceremony, attended by
representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
(MAAIF), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED),
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), and Ministry of Water and
Environment (MOWE) was witnessed by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah
Nabbanja and marks a pivotal milestone in Uganda’s agricultural
development. https://www.agriculture.go.ug/2025/08/21/itracom-fertilizer-signs-landmark-agreement-to-establish-organic-fertilizer-factory-in-uganda-worth-us180million/
AFRICA’S
COFFEE RENAISSANCE: UGANDA’S EXPORT BOOM AND THE GLOBAL SHIFT IN VALUE ADDITION
AT WORLD OF COFFEE GENEVA 202
Geneva,
Switzerland, 24 June 2025 – In a historic moment for Africa’s coffee sector, Uganda has
emerged as the continent’s leading coffee exporter, setting unprecedented
records in May 2025 by surpassing Ethiopia with 47,606.7 tonnes of coffee. This
milestone, which saw a 43.59% year-on-year increase and pushed annual export
values past USD 2 billion, is a testament to Uganda’s relentless drive for
quality and value addition. The
transformative achievements of Uganda’s coffee sector are further bolstered by
the collaborative spirit among key East African nations. As part of the EU-EAC
MARKUP II project—funded by the European Union in partnership with Rwanda’s
NAEB, Burundi’s ODECA, Kenya’s Coffee Directorate (KCD), Tanzania Coffee Board
(TCB), and Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and
Fisheries—nearly 40 coffee companies, including five from Uganda, are set to
exhibit at the World of Coffee in Geneva (26–28 June 2025).
UGANDA
AND CHINA TAKING ACTION TO PURSUE AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION
China-Africa
agricultural cooperation continues to deliver tangible results, both
economically and technically. A
practical example is the growing partnership between China and Uganda, which is
making significant contributions to Uganda’s agricultural
development. Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary of
Uganda’s Ministry for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, says, for
Uganda, the focus is not just on increasing output, but on modernizing
production systems. China plays a key role in driving Uganda’s transformation
toward modern agriculture.
INVEST
IN QUALITY PACKAGING AND MAKE UGANDAN PRODUCTS COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKET – GEN.
WILSON MBASU MBADI
The
Minister of State for Trade Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi has urged local
manufacturers and producers to prioritize quality branding and packaging to
effectively position themselves in the competitive market both domestically and
internationally. Mbadi was officiating at the closing ceremony of the 3 days’
masterclass training in packaging technology organized by the Ministry of
Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in partnership with the Institute of Packaging
Partners of Uganda (IPPU) and the World Packaging Organisation, supported by
the International Trade Center and the United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO). https://www.mtic.go.ug/invest-in-quality-packaging-and-make-ugandan-products-competitive-in-the-market-gen-wilson-mbasu-mbadi/
UGANDA
HOSTS GLOBAL PACKAGING MASTERCLASS TO BOOST TRADE COMPETITIVENESS
Uganda
joins a select group of seven countries globally—and only three in Africa—to
host the prestigious World Packaging Organization (WPO) Masterclass in
Packaging Technology. The three-day training runs from August 5th to 7th, 2025,
at Protea Hotel Kampala. The training is organized by the Institute for
Packaging Partners of Uganda (IPPU) in partnership with and Ministry of Trade,
Industry and Cooperatives, and funded by the World Packaging Organisation
(WPO) Officiating the opening
ceremony, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives,
underscored the strategic importance of quality packaging in enabling product
protection, market access, shelf-life extension, and export competitiveness. He
emphasized that poor packaging remains a barrier for Uganda’s agro-processed
and artisanal products and called for investment in packaging innovation
aligned with the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy. https://www.mtic.go.ug/uganda-hosts-global-packaging-masterclass-to-boost-trade-competitiveness/
UNBS
gets New National Standards Council
The
Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, inaugurated
the 10th National Standards Council (NSC), the top most governing body (board
of directors) of UNBS to ensure effective service delivery. During the inauguration ceremony, at the
Kampala Serena Hotel, Hon. Mwebesa urged the new board to prioritise improving
quality of locally manufactured goods to protect the public and environment
against dangerous substandard products. “Help the businesses to comply
with standards, through capacity building programs. Conduct regular factory
checks where goods are made to ensure that they comply with the relevant
standards before they are placed on the market and sensitize the public about
the benefits of consuming UNBS certified products.” Said Hon. Mwebesa. https://www.mtic.go.ug/unbs-gets-new-national-standards-council/
UGANDA
PARTNERS WITH COMESA TO FAST TRACK IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION AND
CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
The
Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
has today signed a framework agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission to strengthen their
collaboration in the implementation and enforcement of the Competition and
Consumer Protection laws. The Government of Uganda enacted the Competition Act
2024, and is currently working on a Bill that will establish the Consumer
Protection Act. The two laws are intended to ensure fair competition among
businesses, safeguard consumer rights, establish redress mechanisms in case of
unfair treatment, promote innovation among others. https://www.mtic.go.ug/uganda-partners-with-comesa-to-fast-track-implementation-of-the-competition-and-consumer-protection-laws/
KENYA
BENCHMARKS UGANDA TO INCREASE THEIR COFFEE AND DAIRY PRODUCTION
A
delegation of Kenyan government officials, researchers and members of coffee
and dairy cooperative unions is in Uganda on a benchmarking visit to learn more
on how Uganda has managed to increase its coffee production over the years and
surpassed Kenya whose coffee production has declined over the years, impacting
smallholder farmers and the overall value chain. Uganda produces significantly
more coffee annually compared to Kenya. Uganda’s annual production is around
300,000 metric tons, while Kenya produces approximately 50,000 metric tons
annually. https://www.mtic.go.ug/kenya-benchmarks-uganda-to-increase-their-coffee-and-dairy-production/
MINISTER
RWAMIRAMA FLAGS OFF TEAM UGANDA TO MADRID FRUIT ATTRACTION EXPO
Uganda has
officially launched its delegation to the Madrid Fruit Attraction Expo, marking
a major step in promoting the country’s fruit and vegetable sector on the
international stage. The event, set for September 30 to October 2, 2025, in
Spain, aims to enhance product quality, shelf life, and production volumes.
Hon. Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Agriculture, flagged off nearly
100 participants representing Team Uganda, urging them to seize business
opportunities and showcase the nation’s agricultural potential. “I strongly support Uganda’s debut at this
prestigious event, aligning it with the government’s agro-industrialization
policy, which is essential for prosperity and increased farmer income,”
Rwamirama said.
NTUNGAMO
FARMERS PIN HOPES ON INSPIRE AFRICA COFFEE PARK
In Ntungamo
District, anticipation is brewing as the Inspire Africa Coffee Park in
Rwashamire nears completion. Construction now stands at 85 percent, with
equipment already tested, and the facility is expected to open its doors to
farmers within a week. Over
7,000 farmers have registered, ready to supply coffee directly to the park,
which has pledged to pay above prevailing market prices. For decades, Uganda’s
coffee sector—though a backbone of the economy and the country’s leading
foreign exchange earner—has struggled with low farmer incomes, post-harvest
losses, and limited value addition. For decades, Uganda’s coffee—its leading
foreign exchange earner—has largely left the country as raw beans, denying
farmers and the economy the higher profits that come with processing and
branding. https://nilepost.co.ug/agriculture/282206/ntungamo-farmers-pin-hopes-on-inspire-africa-coffee-park
COFFEE
PRICES RECOVER AS GOVT CONFIRMS MARKET STABILISATION
Coffee prices have
rebounded after months of decline, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry
and Fisheries (MAAIF) has announced. Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze
confirmed that farm-gate prices for coffee have stabilised, with a kilogram of
Fair Average Quality (FAQ) beans now selling between Shs13,000 and Shs14,000,
while Arabica parchment fetches between Shs13,500 and Shs14,000. The recovery
follows a slump earlier this year caused by global oversupply from major
producers such as Brazil, Vietnam, and India, which depressed international
prices. “This rebound reflects Uganda’s resilience, the quality of our coffee,
and renewed confidence from international buyers,” Tumwebaze said.
UNCERTAINTY
FOR FARMERS AS GOVT-BACKED CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECT ENDS
MUKONO –
Agricultural stakeholders and local leaders have called on the government to
urgently extend the UgiFT Micro-Scale Irrigation Program, a five-year
initiative that helped thousands of smallholder farmers adapt to climate
change. The program, launched in 2021 with World Bank support, officially ended
this year, raising concerns about its sudden closure and the uncertainty it
leaves for farmers who had hoped to benefit. Speaking at the Annual
Agricultural Sector Coordination Workshop in Mukono, agricultural officers and
district engineers highlighted the program’s impact on farming communities and
warned that its discontinuation could derail progress. “The program has shown farmers that irrigation
can be a game changer, especially in the face of unpredictable weather
patterns,” said Annet Nakidde, senior agricultural engineer for Kyegegwa
District. https://nilepost.co.ug/agriculture/280955/uncertainty-for-farmers-as-govt-backed-climate-resilience-project-ends
SUGARCANE
FARMERS APPLAUD PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S MOVE TO END TRASH DEDUCTIONS
Sugarcane
farmers in Bunyoro and Tooro regions have praised President Museveni’s
directive halting sugarcane millers and weighbridge operators from deducting
trash charges from farmers. During
a meeting with sugarcane farmers and millers at Kityerera State Lodge in Mayuge
District on August 6, 2025, President Museveni instructed millers and
weighbridge operators to stop imposing a trash levy on delivered
sugarcane. The President was responding to farmers’ concerns about a
persistent 5% deduction applied to sugarcane deliveries—a cost management
charge that was supposed to be scrapped under the newly amended Sugar
Act. https://nilepost.co.ug/agriculture/280910/sugarcane-farmers-applaud-president-musevenis-move-to-end-trash-deductions
ANTI
COUNTERFEIT NETWORK, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE RAID CONTAINER VILLAGE IN
OPERATION TARGETING FAKE AGRO-CHEMICALS
Several
products have been seized during a sting operation carried by the Anti
Counterfeit Network(ACN) , Ministry of Agriculture and Police at Container
Village in Kampala targeting fake agro-chemicals. The Friday afternoon
operation, according to officials from the Anti-Counterfeit Network followed a
tip off from members of the public on suspicious activities at the shops
raided. “We have an application called Bleep where members of the public can
report counterfeits. This is where we received a report of counterfeit
agro-chemicals being sold by these particular shops that we raided,”
Trevor Igumba, an official from ACN said. According to Charles Ssendaaza, an
agricultural inspector from the department of crop inspection and certification
in the Ministry of Agriculture, at the two shops, they found fake
agro-chemicals.
AGRA-LED
PARTNERSHIP STRENGTHENS EARLY GENERATION SEED SYSTEMS IN AFRICA
The
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), through its Centre of
Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA), convened stakeholders from the
seed sector across the continent for a three-day learning event in Uganda. The
forum focused on addressing bottlenecks in the production of early generation
seed (EGS) and improving coordination between public and private sector actors
to ensure farmers have consistent access to high-quality seed. It brought
together seed companies, national agricultural research organisations,
regulatory agencies, development partners, and private sector actors from
multiple African countries. Participants examined practical models, shared
experiences, and discussed strategies for scaling up breeder and foundation
seed production. https://nilepost.co.ug/agriculture/279048/agra-led-partnership-strengthens-early-generation-seed-systems-in-africa
FRENCH-FUNDED
AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVE TRANSFORMS LIVES IN KARAMOJA
A
transformative agricultural project in Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region is lifting
hundreds of vulnerable households out of food insecurity by promoting
sustainable farming practices, climate resilience, and improved nutrition. The
initiative, funded by the Embassy of France and implemented by ACTED in
partnership with Caritas, is benefiting over 1,200 households in Nakapiripirit
and Amudat districts. It equips farmers with modern tools and training to
increase crop yields, conserve water and soil, and create sustainable
livelihoods in a region long affected by drought and malnutrition. https://nilepost.co.ug/agriculture/272629/french-funded-agricultural-initiative-transforms-lives-in-karamoja
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