Blending residential space with functional farming

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Nestled on half an acre of land in the heart of Uganda, Kwagala Farm is not just a residence for the Nsubuga family; it is a beacon of hope, sustainability, and empowerment.

In a space of half an acre sits a three-storey building surrounded by beautiful designs of urban gardens replacing flowers, which many city dwellers would opt for. This is the home of Dr Dianah Nsubuga Nambatya and her husband, Dr Fred Nsubuga. Nambatya is one of the 2015 Vision Group’s Best Farmer winners.

Practicing urban farming, her home is located at Ttuba-Kulambiro in Nakawa municipality-Kampala district. Here, she utilises the small space they have to not only grow vegetables for home consumption, but also income generation.

Engaging in farming

The story of Kwagala Farm began with a modest sh1,500 - less than a dollar - used to purchase a small packet of tomato seeds. The initial goal was simple, yet profound - to reduce household expenses through homegrown produce.

What started as a necessity soon blossomed into a passion. As the farm began to yield more than the family needed, the Nsubugas felt a deep sense of purpose as they shared their new-found knowledge with their neighbours.

Dr Nambatya says this small act of kindness laid the foundation for an agribusiness enterprise that has since equipped over 2,450 women, men, and young people with the skills to transform their own lives through sustainable urban farming. The home has two cows on zero-grazing, 10 goats, chickens, and leafy vegetables swaying in the breeze.

The Nsubuga's employee caring for epring onions grown at the rooftop garde.

The uniqueness at Kwagala farm

What makes Kwagala Farm-home truly unique is its ingenious use of recycled materials: old car tires brimming with lush spinach, plastic bottles ingeniously crafted into vertical gardens, water tanks doubling as plant beds, and even colourful paint tins repurposed to cradle thriving plants.

Atop the main house, a vibrant rooftop garden offers a stunning view of greenery, blending beauty with functionality. An available skilling centre, where training happens is an eye-catching investment. Dr Nambatya narrates that necessity was the mother of invention at Kwagala Farm. Driven by the need to cut household costs, the Nsubuga family embarked on a farming journey with limited resources but, limitless determination.

The architecture

Kwagala Farm’s architecture is a masterpiece of resourcefulness and creativity. The farm’s layout maximises every inch of space, blending residential space with functional farming. The main house, where the Nsubuga family resides, is surrounded by a meticulously planned compound that seamlessly integrates livestock shelters, crop gardens, and storage spaces.

Recycled materials form the backbone of the farm’s infrastructure, like old car tyres, serve as plant beds. Plastic bottles create cascading walls of greenery while repurposed paint tins add colour and character to the landscape. The rooftop garden is a crowning jewel, not only expanding the farm’s growing capacity, but also symbolising innovation and sustainability.

Smart farming

Constructing Kwagala Farm was a journey marked by challenges, imagination, and relentless effort. Every structure, from the animal shelters to the vegetable plots, was built with sustainability in mind.

The Nsubugas embraced the philosophy of “waste not, want not,” turning everyday discarded items into valuable farming assets. This hands-on approach not only reduced costs, but also demonstrated that sustainability is achievable for anyone willing to think outside the box