Uganda has laid out an ambitious roadmap to transform its agriculture sector into a high-value, climate-resilient engine of economic growth, calling for deeper investment and collaboration from the United Kingdom and global partners.
Speaking at the 15th UK-Africa Business Summit in London, Uganda’s Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness and Value-Addition Development, Dr. Hillary Musoke Kisanja, outlined the country’s comprehensive strategy to shift from raw agricultural production to value-added agribusiness, in alignment with Uganda Vision 2040.
Dr. Kisanja emphasized that while agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy–contributing about 24 percent to GDP and employing over 70 percent of the population–true transformation lies in value addition.
He noted that processing, packaging, and investment in export-ready commodities are essential to unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s agricultural sector, generating employment, increasing farmer incomes, and driving industrialization.
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He highlighted the coffee sector as a key success story. In the 12 months ending February 2025, Uganda’s coffee exports grew to US$1.72 billion–a 70.71 percent increase–driven by rising global demand, improved prices, and a national shift toward specialty coffee, branding, and premium packaging.
He added that similar progress is being made in the dairy, cereals, and horticulture sectors, where local processing is creating jobs, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening supply chains.
Dr. Kisanja also addressed the urgent need to climate-proof agriculture, citing the increasing frequency of erratic weather patterns in Uganda, including floods and prolonged dry spells.
He said Uganda is actively investing in solutions such as irrigation and water management systems to stabilize production across seasons, while digital agriculture tools like weather forecasts, mobile applications, and satellite imaging are improving decision-making for farmers.
Sustainable farming practices–including agroforestry, soil conservation, organic fertilizers, and resilient crop varieties–are also being promoted to build long-term productivity and resilience.
These efforts, he noted, are already producing tangible results in priority sectors such as maize, rice, coffee, dairy, and fisheries, where farmers are reporting higher yields, reduced losses, and increased incomes even under changing climatic conditions.
On the matter of international cooperation, Dr. Kisanja reaffirmed Uganda’s strong partnership with the United Kingdom, describing it as both historical and forward-looking. He called for joint research and innovation partnerships to harness UK expertise in agricultural technology and climate modeling. He also invited UK investment in agro-processing plants, cold storage infrastructure, and packaging industries to accelerate value addition.
Dr. Kisanja stressed the importance of financing mechanisms that support climate-resilient agriculture, particularly for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. He encouraged collaboration on innovative financial models and emphasized the importance of supporting youth and women entrepreneurship in the agribusiness sector, which he described as essential to building the next generation of African agricultural leaders.
According to Dr. Kisanja, such partnerships would be mutually beneficial. While African countries benefit from increased productivity, job creation, and food security, UK investors gain access to fast-growing markets, diversified investment portfolios, and long-term economic returns.
Uganda’s agribusiness vision, he noted, aligns with key continental and global frameworks. These include the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which promotes agriculture-driven industrialization and regional integration; the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is opening new markets for intra-African trade; and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on ending hunger, promoting decent work, fostering innovation, and addressing climate change.
At the heart of Uganda’s broader economic strategy is Vision 2040, an ambitious plan to grow the national economy from its current US$50 billion to US$500 billion. Dr. Kisanja explained that agribusiness, industrial development, and technological innovation are key drivers of this transformation. He underscored that the plan is not merely aspirational but grounded in action, data, and concrete investment opportunities.
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He concluded with a call to action for global investors, urging them to invest in climate-smart agriculture, support value addition initiatives, and co-create sustainable solutions with Uganda.
He said Uganda is open for business, ready to lead, and prepared to offer a stable and investor-friendly environment.
“Africa stands at a pivotal moment. The challenges are great–but so are the opportunities. Uganda is ready to lead, innovate, and collaborate,” Dr. Kisanja stated.
The UK-Africa Business Summit, now in its 15th edition, brings together high-level stakeholders from governments, the private sector, and development agencies to explore trade, investment, and sustainable growth opportunities across the African continent.