Over 100 farmer groups in Kiryandongo to benefit from major World Bank project
During the launch of the project, two farmer groups, Rwenkunye Farmers’ Association and Kinyong Functional Adult Literacy Group, received agricultural input packages under the E-Voucher system
KIRYANDONGO, May 14, 2026 — About 125 farmer groups in Kiryandongo district are set to benefit from the World Bank-funded Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project [UCSATP], being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] in partnership with the Kiryandongo District Local Government.
Speaking on Monday during the official launch of the E-Voucher system at Masindi Port Subcounty, the Kiryandongo District Production Officer, Issa Byenkya Hassan, said the beneficiary farmer groups had already been mobilised and submitted to MAAIF for consideration under the programme.
He explained that the E-Voucher system is used to profile and verify beneficiaries, as well as enable farmers to place orders and pay the required 20 per cent contribution, while government covers the remaining 80 per cent of the total cost of inputs and equipment.
“Each farmer is entitled to a package worth Shs 800,000, but is required to contribute 20 per cent of the cost of the inputs/materials, while government provides the remaining 80 per cent,” he said, adding that 20 of the 125 farmer groups in the district had already deposited their contributions.
Byenkya noted that farmers have embraced the project enthusiastically. The package available to farmers includes spray pumps, protective gear, herbicides, improved maize seed varieties, fertilisers, tarpaulins and other agricultural inputs.
According to Byenkya, the government intervention is aimed at increasing yields, improving food security, enhancing household incomes and strengthening post-harvest handling practices.
He further explained that crop farmer groups are required to have between 20 and 30 members, while groups involved in livestock, apiary and aquaculture should comprise between 15 and 20 members.
Alfred Hakizimaana, a Supervisor at UCSATP, said farmer groups and district implementing officials had been fully trained in the use of the E-Voucher system and were now conversant with its operations.
The Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer, Anselem Kyaligonza, said government had introduced several projects intended to transform people’s livelihoods.
“All these projects are aimed at enabling you to earn income so that you can educate your children, access better healthcare and improve your livelihoods. I want to warn you against selling these inputs,” he said.
The outgoing Kiryandongo LCV Chairperson, Edith Aliguma, commended President Yoweri Museveni for prioritising ordinary Ugandans, saying there was no excuse for people to remain poor given government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model [PDM], and several others.
Kiryandongo Deputy Resident District Commissioner [RDC], Jonathan Akweteireho, urged extension workers to provide adequate support services to farmers to ensure they fully benefit from the programme.
“There is no reason why you should not support the farmers when you have everything required, including motorcycles, fuel and other necessities. Please help the farmers,” Akweteireho said.
During the launch of the project, two farmer groups, Rwenkunye Farmers’ Association and Kinyong Functional Adult Literacy Group, received agricultural input packages under the E-Voucher system.
Gabriel Tiondo, Chairperson of Rwenkunye Farmers United Group, commended government for the support, noting that farmers had struggled to access agricultural inputs due to their high costs.
The group’s Secretary, Annette Wandera, said farmers in the area were grappling with poor and exhausted soils, adding that the fertilisers received under the programme would help restore soil fertility.
“We have been harvesting very little from an acre of maize, but with this support we are hopeful that productivity will improve,” she said.
Another beneficiary expressed gratitude to government, saying many farmers could not afford agricultural inputs on their own.
“We are very grateful to government for this support. The truth is that we do not have enough money to buy these agro-inputs. We are optimistic that this support will help us achieve better yields and improve food security,” he said.
UCSATP is a six-year programme being implemented by MAAIF and its agencies, including the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO], the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank [NAGRC&DB], and the Uganda National Meteorological Authority [UNMA].
The World Bank has invested a total of US$ 350 million in the project. Approved in late 2022 and effective from June 2024, the funding comprises a US$ 325 million loan and a US$ 25 million grant aimed at enhancing and transforming agricultural productivity across 69 districts in Uganda.
The project seeks to increase productivity, improve market access and strengthen resilience within selected agricultural value chains, while also enabling rapid response to crises or emergencies.
It will support the Government of Uganda in identifying, developing and promoting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies and management practices that enhance adaptation to climate change, sustainably increase productivity and household incomes, and build resilience against climatic shocks.
The project will be implemented across 69 districts in 13 agro-ecological zones, including seven refugee-hosting districts. Selection of the districts was based on climate vulnerability, poverty levels and watershed degradation.
UCSATP is expected to directly benefit approximately 760,000 households, equivalent to about 3.9 million individuals, and indirectly benefit another 1.9 million households, or roughly 9.5 million people.
Of the direct beneficiaries, about 620,000 households will come from non-refugee districts, while 60,000 refugee households and 80,000 refugee-hosting households are also expected to benefit. Overall, this represents about 65 per cent of the population in the project districts.
