The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to agricultural transformation during the first UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum, held on August 27, 2025, with participation from government officials, farmers, businesses, and development partners.
Representing the ministry, Permanent Secretary Maj. Gen. (Rtd) David Kasura-Kyomukama underscored the UK’s long-standing support for Uganda’s development agenda, particularly in agriculture.
“For 2022/2023, the UK’s aid budget to Uganda was listed at £32.8 million. Trade between Uganda and the UK is significant; Uganda’s top exports to the UK include coffee, tea, spices, edible vegetables, and mineral fuels. Uganda also exports fish, dairy products, and flowers to the UK. In 2023, Uganda’s exports to the UK were valued at $21.3 million, a significant increase from $10.7 million in 2019,” he noted.
Agro-industrialisation is one of the pillars of Uganda’s National Development Plan, aimed at boosting agricultural financing, expanding agro-industrial infrastructure, improving access to technology, and strengthening value chains to grow exports.
The UK has played a key role in supporting this agenda. British company Nexus Green, for example, has partnered with the Ministry of Water and Environment to roll out irrigation schemes nationwide. Additionally, the UK’s £39 million Climate Smart Jobs programme is helping farmers in Northern Uganda enhance their productivity and build resilience against climate change.
Through its Developing Countries Trading Scheme, the UK has also eased access for Ugandan exporters seeking to place their produce on UK supermarket shelves.
British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Lisa Chesney, emphasized the centrality of agriculture to Uganda’s development goals.
“The UK is committed to our partnership with Uganda and working together to accelerate sustainable development and mutually beneficial economic growth. And we know this goal cannot be realised without transforming agriculture as Uganda’s biggest employer. I’m 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, climate resilience, and support Uganda’s ten-fold growth ambitions,” she said.
The forum outlined several priorities, including raising awareness of UK agricultural technologies, strengthening partnerships between UK and Ugandan agribusinesses, and boosting Ugandan exports under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme. It also aims to leverage Uganda Airlines’ direct flights to London, identify trade barriers for policymakers to address, and engage the media on climate change challenges and solutions in the agricultural sector.
