Govt, farmers’ federation form coalition to transform agriculture

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The Government and the farmers’ federation have formed a coalition to transform the country from subsistence farming to a commercially-driven agricultural economy.

The initiative was announced today, May 4, 2026, at the Uganda Media Centre by Uganda Development Forum executive director Dr Edward Katende.

Katende was accompanied by the deputy chief co-ordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Brig. Gen. Godfrey Muwangunzi and Uganda National Farmers Federation president Dr Dick Kamuganga.

Katende described the coalition as a structural shift in how the country approaches agricultural transformation, emphasising that previous efforts have struggled to move millions of households beyond subsistence farming.

According to Katende, despite agriculture employing more than 70 per cent of Uganda’s workforce, the majority of farmers remain trapped in low-productivity subsistence systems. 

He said structural challenges such as fragmented land holdings, limited access to quality inputs, weak post-harvest infrastructure, and exclusion from formal financial systems have continued to undermine rural incomes.

“This is a paradox we must resolve, a country with immense agricultural potential, yet persistent rural poverty,” Katende said, adding that existing government programmes have often failed to achieve impact at scale due to gaps in farmer preparedness and support systems.

He pointed out that although funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM) are reaching communities, many beneficiaries lack the knowledge and guidance needed to convert that capital into sustainable enterprises, which he said has affected uptake and long-term success of farmers.

The newly formalised coalition brings together Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), the Uganda Development Forum (UDF), the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE), the PDM Secretariat, and local governments.

Co-ordinated action is essential

Muwangunzi and Kamuganga welcomed the partnership, noting that coordinated action is essential to unlock the sector’s full potential and improve farmer incomes.

“We have come to join forces and bring subsistence farming to an end in the country because we realised that we need a unified force to achieve this and turn smallholder farmers into an engine of growth,” Kamuganga said.

Muwangunzi said that as OWC, they are eager to collaborate towards the development of the economy.

“We are eager to collaborate on the country’s socio-economic transformation. Recognising agriculture as our economic foundation, we are committed to driving meaningful progress together,” he said.

Katende explained that each institution will play a distinct role within a coordinated, district-level implementation framework.

Under the arrangement, OWC will provide nationwide mobilisation and extension services, UNFFE will organise and train farmers, UDF will drive strategic coordination, while the PDM Secretariat will align financing with enterprise readiness.

Local governments, through chief administrative officers and town clerks, will oversee implementation and accountability at the grassroots level.

Katende stressed that the approach is designed to eliminate duplication and ensure that government interventions are integrated rather than fragmented.

“We are not introducing new programmes, we are fixing how existing programmes work together,” he said, adding that the coalition aims to ensure that every shilling invested yields measurable economic returns.

Training farmers at parish level

Through Practical Training Centres and OWC extension workers, Katende said farmers will also receive enterprise-specific training focused on value chains, input costs, market linkages, and financial management.

Katende said this marks a shift away from generic agricultural advice toward targeted knowledge that enables farmers to operate as business-oriented producers.

The coalition is also introducing a structured enterprise selection process to address a long-standing weakness in rural finance programmes, disbursing funds before beneficiaries identify viable investments.

Under the new model, farmers will be guided to choose enterprises based on market demand, expected yields, and input requirements before accessing PDM funds.

In addition, the coalition will rely on live demonstration farms and agro enterprises operated by successful beneficiaries to build trust and encourage participation.

Katende noted that many farmers remain sceptical of government programmes, and that practical, visible results are more effective than communication campaigns.

The initiative will also prioritise documenting and amplifying success stories from across the country. According to Katende, thousands of beneficiaries of PDM and Emyooga programmes have transitioned into commercial farming or profitable enterprises, but their experiences remain largely unknown at the national level.

By showcasing these stories, he said the coalition hopes to inspire wider participation while strengthening accountability.

Youth engagement

Youth engagement has also been placed at the core of the strategy. With more than 70 per cent of Uganda’s population under the age of 30, Katende warned that agriculture risks losing an entire generation if it is not repositioned as a viable and profitable sector.

Through Presidential Skilling Hubs, he said, young people are being trained in modern farming techniques, agro-processing, and enterprise management.

As such, he said the coalition will link them to financing, mentorship, and markets to support their transition into agribusiness.

“Our statistics show that early results show that youth who receive integrated support in terms of skills, capital, and market access are significantly more likely to succeed than those who receive funding alone,” he said.