Uganda rallies global partners to transform agri-food systems through strategic investment, coordination and innovation

KAMPALA, June 26, 2025 –– The Government of Uganda has issued a national and international call to action to transform its agriculture sector, launching a bold agenda focused on strategic investment, innovation, and collaboration.

The Uganda Agri-Food Systems Investment and Financing Conference, held at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute [UIRI] Namanve Campus June from 24 to 25, 2025, convened stakeholders under the theme “Catalysing Innovative Investments and Financing Partnerships”. The two-day event brought together public and private sector actors to accelerate the transformation of Uganda’s food systems.

With over 70 percent of Ugandans relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, the conference aimed to spotlight key investment opportunities while facilitating dialogue around financing, coordination, and public-private partnerships. The expected outcomes include a robust national investment strategy, enhanced stakeholder coordination, and targeted interventions across critical agricultural value chains.

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa [AGRA], a major driver of agricultural transformation on the continent, has invested over USD 69.8 million in Uganda since 2006. These investments have supported institutional development, productivity enhancement, and policy reforms, aligning with Uganda’s agro-industrialisation strategy and its National Development Plans [NDPs II, III, and IV], as well as the six Presidential directives on agriculture.

Opening the conference, Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, stressed the urgency of shifting Uganda’s food systems from subsistence-based to engines of wealth creation.

“Uganda’s agri-food system is the backbone of our economy, contributing 24 percent of GDP, 33 percent of export earnings, and employing 70 percent of our population. Yet, over 12 million Ugandans still face food insecurity,” Rwamirama noted.

He called for increased investment in value addition, agro-industrialisation, climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive financing. He highlighted government initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model, but urged greater strategic coordination between public and private stakeholders, in alignment with NDP IV.

Representing the Office of the Prime Minister, Edward Walugembe delivered a strong call to action grounded in constitutional authority and practical implementation.

“We must act as one government, with one plan, aligned to a single national development agenda,” he said.

He outlined the “four Cs” as essential enablers of progress: Coordination, Connectedness, Continuity, and Communication.

“These principles are crucial to breaking down silos and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned,” he added. “Uganda’s food systems transformation is no longer in the planning phase, it is now time to implement. The plan is ready. It is fit for purpose.”

Walugembe emphasised OPM’s constitutional role under Article 108 in leading coordinated delivery and committed to removing bottlenecks that hinder implementation.

“Let us do what we must, and do it well, with efficiency,” he concluded.

Grace Bwengye, speaking on behalf of National Planning Authority [NPA] Chairperson, Pamela Mbabazi, reaffirmed the strategic alignment between the food systems transformation agenda and NDP IV, which officially launches on July 1, 2025.

He reminded participants that Uganda’s ambition to grow GDP from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040 hinges on the strength of its food systems.

“Food systems are central to Uganda’s economic transformation. But under NDP IV, limited public resources must be focused on high-impact, game-changing interventions,” he said.

Reflecting on lessons from NDP III, including the impacts of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, he stressed the importance of practical, implementable strategies.

“It is not acceptable to implement initiatives that were never planned for,” Bwengye cautioned. “Plans must be fully aligned with the objectives of NDP IV and the food systems agenda.”

He added that NPA will only approve projects demonstrating integration of financing, delivery, and reporting mechanisms essential to achieving real impact.

Echoing this message, FAO Uganda Country Representative Yergalem Beraki underscored the role of food systems as economic drivers.

“Food systems go beyond feeding people, they drive monetisation, higher household incomes, and job creation,” he stated.

Beraki noted that although the food systems agenda began under NDP III, implementation was hindered by global crises. With NDP IV now set to launch, Uganda has a renewed opportunity to act.

“We cannot afford to spread our resources too thin,” he warned. “Public funds must be directed towards costed, high-impact interventions.”

He urged ministries, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to align their strategies with NDP IV. “Only plans that reflect this alignment will be approved,” he said.

Beyond technical discussions, Uganda’s leadership on the continent was also highlighted. The country has played a pivotal role in global agricultural efforts, including the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the African Union’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

Uganda’s commitment to agricultural transformation was further demonstrated by its hosting of the AU Extraordinary CAADP Summit in January 2025, which culminated in the Kampala Declaration, a landmark pledge to build resilient food systems across Africa.

Alongside efforts to increase food production and improve nutrition, Uganda has made measurable progress, including a reduction in stunting from 29 percent in 2016 to 24 percent in 2022. Coupled with a young population and strong political commitment, Uganda is well-positioned to make agriculture a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable development.

As the Agri-Food Systems Investment and Financing Conference concludes, Uganda stands ready for investment, prepared for coordinated action, and determined to translate strategic intent into real, measurable outcomes.

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