Uganda Agribusiness Alliance Leads National Conversations on Value Chains and Export Competitiveness
Kampala, Uganda – 16 December 2025
Stakeholders from government, private sector, financial institutions, research organizations, and agribusiness enterprises convened today at the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA) National High-Level Event, held under the theme:
“Agroindustrialization and Export: One Value Chain at a Time.”
The event provided a national platform for dialogue on how value chain approaches can unlock Uganda’s agricultural export potential, strengthen quality standards, and promote inclusive economic growth.
Elevating Quality and Market Readiness
Agriculture experts highlighted that quality production and proper post-harvest handling are essential for meeting international market standards. Speaking at the event, Paul Mwambu, Commissioner for Crop Inspection and Certification at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), emphasized that the competitiveness of Ugandan agricultural products is determined by consistent product quality from the farm through packaging and transportation.
Mwambu warned that poor handling can result in rejections by international buyers, underscoring the need for farmers and agribusinesses to strengthen quality assurance, aggregation, and packaging practices.
Collective Action for Strength and Scale
Dr. Victoria Ssekitoleko, Chairperson of the UAA, explained that harnessing domestic value chains through collective production and alignment with market demand is vital for Uganda’s agricultural exports. She stressed that producers must understand buyer requirements – such as specific grades of produce-to build reliable supply channels and unlock international opportunities.
Using the example of the avocado sector, Dr. Ssekitoleko highlighted that knowing what processing factories require helps farmers position themselves as dependable suppliers in fast-growing markets.
Value Chains: The Foundation for Export Competitiveness
Discussions emphasized that Uganda’s agricultural transformation must move beyond production volumes toward structured value chain development that prioritizes quality, consistency, and market alignment.
Experts highlighted that poor post-harvest handling and weak quality control continue to undermine export opportunities for Ugandan produce. Strengthening standards from farm to market – including grading, packaging, and aggregation- is essential for competitiveness in regional and international markets.
These insights align with recent national calls encouraging farmers and agribusiness actors to adopt value chain models as a pathway to increased exports and reduced market rejection of Ugandan products.
Aligning Farmers to Market Demand
Speakers at the event stressed the importance of market-driven production, where farmers and SMEs understand buyer requirements and organize themselves to supply consistent volumes and quality.
Examples shared from sectors such as avocado demonstrated that when producers understand processing and export specifications, they are better positioned to participate meaningfully in commercial markets.
This approach strengthens trust between producers, processors, and exporters while improving income stability for farming communities.
Value Addition as a Driver of Agroindustrialisation
Participants also emphasized that Uganda’s long-term competitiveness depends on investing in value addition rather than exporting raw commodities. Agro-processing, packaging, and branding were identified as critical drivers of higher earnings, job creation, and stronger market positioning.
The event highlighted the role of SMEs, cooperatives, and agripreneurs in accelerating agroindustrialisation when supported with appropriate financing, policy frameworks, and technical support.
Moving Forward
The UAA National High-Level Event reinforced a shared understanding:
Uganda’s pathway to sustainable agricultural growth lies in organized value chains, quality-driven production, and collaborative partnerships across sectors.
Through continued dialogue, evidence-based advocacy, and private sector engagement, UAA remains committed to advancing an agribusiness ecosystem that supports export growth, job creation, and inclusive economic development.