Uganda and UK partner to hold joint forum on agro-industrialisation
KAMPALA, February 6, 2026 – Uganda has entered into a partnership with the United Kingdom [ UK ] to hold the first-ever joint forum on agro-industrialisation, aimed at enhancing business cooperation between the two countries.
Among other issues, discussions at the forum still undergoing preparations will focus on agro-financing, development of agro-industrial infrastructure, as well as improving access to agricultural technologies.
The forum has been planned alongside agricultural exhibitions and is expected to strengthen the agricultural value chain in order to increase Uganda’s agro-exports to the UK and the European Union.
The event is also expected to raise awareness of UK agricultural technologies that can boost productivity and support agro-industrialisation in Uganda, while linking UK and Ugandan agribusinesses to work together through arrangements such as the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme. This cooperation would be further facilitated by Uganda Airlines’ direct flights to London.
Uganda’s top exports to the UK reportedly include coffee, tea, spices, vegetables and mineral fuels. Others include fish, dairy products and flowers, earning the country more than US$ 21.3 million, up from US$ 10.7mln in 2019.
Speaking at the inaugural preparatory meeting held on Monday at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], Maj. Gen. [Rtd] David Kasura-Kyomukama, said bringing together governments, farmers, business people and development partners to discuss collaborations that boost farm productivity, exports to the UK, regional food trade and climate resilience is a major step in the right direction for development.
The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, reiterated her country’s commitment to promoting the partnership and supporting transformation in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
“The UK is committed to our partnership with Uganda and to working together to accelerate sustainable development and mutually beneficial economic growth. We know this goal cannot be realised without transforming agriculture, Uganda’s biggest employer,” she said, adding that, “I am therefore excited to bring together public and private sector leaders to discuss how the UK and Uganda can build on our deep existing links in the agricultural sector to increase farm productivity, exports and climate resilience, and to support Uganda’s ten-fold growth ambitions.”
In the 2022/2023 budget allocations, the UK’s aid budget to Uganda was listed at £32.8 million, including support for trade and agriculture, and engaging the media to focus on climate change challenges and solutions to help the agricultural sector build resilience.
The UK also runs a £39mln climate-smart jobs programme, working with businesses, researchers and financial institutions to boost productivity and develop climate resilience among farmers across Northern Uganda.
Through its Developing Countries Trading Scheme, the UK has made it easier for Ugandan exporters to place their produce on the shelves of UK supermarkets.
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