Govt plans regional exhibition centres to take innovation closer to farmers
"Some of the wishes of our farmers out there are to make these exhibitions rotational. As the Ministry of Agriculture, we shall see it and agree on how to come up with regional exhibition centres. This time if we are in Jinja, next time we can be in Gulu to cater for Acholi and Lango," Muhooza said.
Representing the agriculture ministry Dr. Henry Nakelet Opolot, the commissioner Agricultural Extension and skills Management inspecting dome of the women stalls at the National Agricultural show in in Jinja City. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)
The government is finalising plans to establish regional agricultural exhibition centres across Uganda in a move aimed at making the annual agricultural show rotational and more accessible to farmers across the country.
Agriculture state minister Desire Muhooza announced the plans on July 5, 2026, while presiding over the closing and awards ceremony of the 32nd National Agriculture Show at the showgrounds in Jinja.
The 10-day exhibition, which started on June 26, was organised by the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNAFFE) under the theme: "Agri-leap to Higher Middle Income Through Farm Innovations and Agro-Industrialisation."
Muhooza said the decision to decentralise agricultural exhibitions follows requests from farmers who want the annual event taken closer to different regions.
"Some of the wishes of our farmers out there are to make these exhibitions rotational. As the Ministry of Agriculture, we shall see it and agree on how to come up with regional exhibition centres. This time if we are in Jinja, next time we can be in Gulu to cater for Acholi and Lango," Muhooza said.
She said the move would allow farmers from different parts of the country to benefit from agricultural innovations, technologies and knowledge shared during the exhibitions.
The minister also announced plans to deploy technical teams directly to farmers’ gardens as government seeks to accelerate the transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
She compared the approach to a military battalion sent out to understand farmers’ challenges and respond to their needs.
The first map will show historical crop distribution during the colonial period, the second will highlight crops currently grown across Uganda, while the third will identify crops that can perform best based on research, modern agronomy and climate change projections.
A section of women farmers under their group, code-named Bakali Basumbana affiliated Kasese farmers Association exhibit their products at the National Agricultural Show in Jinja City. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)
Protecting Uganda’s coffee identity
The minister also raised concerns over the exploitation of Ugandan agricultural products on the international market, particularly coffee.
She said some neighbouring countries import Ugandan coffee, rebrand it and market it internationally as their own.
"When you go to the US, they’ll tell you Rwanda has the best coffee, but part of what they’re promoting out there is Ugandan coffee. That’s why this time we came out and said we should come up with our own brand so that the efforts of our farmers are not exploited by others," Muhooza stated.
She directed the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to increase efforts to meet growing local and international demand for quality coffee seedlings and products.
While encouraging farmers to embrace profitable cash crops such as coffee, Muhoza warned against abandoning food crops.
She recalled the collapse of the vanilla boom in districts such as Mukono, where some farmers replaced banana plantations with vanilla but later struggled when international prices declined.
"We must maintain a strict balance between agricultural commercialisation, which is vital, and household food, feed, and nutrition security. We should emphasise commercialisation but not sacrifice food security," she cautioned.
The minister said farmers must pursue commercial agriculture while ensuring households maintain sufficient food production.
Women’s role in agriculture highlighted
Delivering a speech on behalf of UNAFFE president Dr Dick Kamuganga, the federation’s secretary for women, Jolly Kateeba, congratulated Muhooza on her appointment and highlighted the significance of having a female farmer leading the agriculture ministry.
Kateeba said women contribute 80% of labour and output in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
She said the 10-day exhibition provided a platform for researchers, innovators, investors and students to interact, while showcasing climate-smart agriculture, livestock management, modern mechanisation and irrigation systems.
The Uganda Prisons Service emerged among the top exhibitors at the ceremony, receiving multiple awards for its exhibition stalls and agricultural practices.