Museveni fulfils fertiliser pledge as distribution to farmers begins
For more than three years, Turyamusiima says, tea farmers have been searching for fertilisers with the right nutrients and quality to improve yields. Because of poor-quality fertilisers, the farm-gate price of tea had dropped from sh360 to as low as sh150 per kilogramme.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze flags off a consignment of fertilisers as State Minister for Agriculture Desire Muhoozi, MAAIF Permanent Secretary Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama (fourth right) and other officials look on during the launch of the fertiliser distribution exercise at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) headquarters in Entebbe on August 31, 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
_________________
The chairman of the Uganda Tea Outgrowers Association, Canon Apollo Buzaare Turyamusiima, has appreciated President Museveni for his guidance and support towards smallholder farmers, especially tea farmers.
For more than three years, Turyamusiima says, tea farmers have been searching for fertilisers with the right nutrients and quality to improve yields. Because of poor-quality fertilisers, the farm-gate price of tea had dropped from sh360 to as low as sh150 per kilogramme.
“When we met President Museveni in Bushenyi two years ago, he promised to provide factories a franchise worth sh152b so that they could clear the debts they incurred during Covid-19. Nursery tea growers were promised sh112b while farmers involved in pruning and fertilisers sh46b. Today, we are happy that the president has fulfilled his pledge,” Turyamusiima stated.
With the availability of free fertilisers, Turyamusiima said farmers will be able to increase their yields and improve the quality of tea leaves.
“If every tea farmer gets these fertilisers, then we shall have quality green leaf. It is from quality green leaf that we make quality tea, which fetches a good price at the auction. With quality green leaf, we believe the farm gate price will rise to sh600 per kg,” Turyamusiima stated.
He made the remarks during the launch of the distribution of 173,913 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50kg, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) headquarters in Entebbe on August 31, 2026.
The launch marks a significant milestone in the Government's efforts to restore soil fertility, enhance agricultural productivity and support farmers across Uganda’s strategic crop value chains.
Following approved allocation procedures, the two consignments flagged off will be distributed free of charge to farmers engaged in tea production in different sub-regions across the country. The move is aimed at supporting farmers ahead of the August-November planting season.
Addressing journalists, the permanent secretary of MAAIF, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, commended President Yoweri Museveni for his foresight and for recognising the need for soils to be rejuvenated and renewed. He also appreciated the contract management team, technical staff at MAAIF, and partners in the laboratories at Makerere University for conducting the required quality assurance tests on the fertilisers.
According to Kyomukama, laboratory results have confirmed that the fertilisers not only meet national and international standards, but are also safe, effective and fit for purpose.
The country representative of ITRACOM Fertilizers Ug SMC Ltd, Jean-Luc Bigirimana, also appreciated President Museveni for trusting their company to manufacture fertilisers. He said the company would expand access, improve efficiency and ensure that more farmers across the crop value chains benefit from quality inputs to boost productivity and incomes.
Challenges facing farmers
According to Dan Musoke, a coffee farmer from the Kalagala Coffee Farmers Association in Luwero district, some of the biggest challenges facing farmers include the high cost of fertilisers, poor-quality seeds, coffee leaf rust and the prevalence of counterfeit fertilisers on the market.
“Since seasons keep changing and harvest yields are uncertain, we request that the government provide free fertilisers and also revive the Cooperative Bank so we can access small loans to boost our production,” revealed Musoke.
For farmers to improve their productivity, agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze recommended that they return to evidence-based farming, including testing their soils and providing the right nutrients, fertilisers and other inputs required by specific crops.
According to Tumwebaze, having good-quality fertilisers is a step towards supporting precision agriculture, where farmers are guided to apply the right inputs, in the right quantities and at the right time.
“With Government providing the necessary support and guaranteeing a market for the product, we expect increased local production and greater competition, which should ultimately contribute to more affordable fertiliser for our farmers,” explained Tumwebaze.
During the flagging-off ceremony, agriculture state minister Desire Muhooza said smallholder farmers involved in tea, coffee, cocoa and other strategic crops will receive the fertilisers at no cost.