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Christopher Burke

Burke says that while Uganda has made progress in reducing the cost of agricultural finance, millions of smallholder farmers remain locked out because they are invisible to formal lenders.

Agriculture contributes about 24 per cent of Uganda’s GDP, 35 per cent of export earnings and employs 68 per cent of the labour force, according to the World Bank’s latest Economic Update. However, many productive farmers remain almost invisible to formal finance.

A coffee farmer may have years of cooperative deliveries, a known plot, established trees and a credible production plan. The cooperative may know the farmer’s history, a buyer may hold payment records and an agricultural company may understand seasonal requirements. This information is often fragmented or unavailable to banks. The issue is not only whether information exists, but who verifies and standardises what determines access to capital.

This gap has a price. Bank of Uganda reports that the average agricultural lending rate reached 20.7 per cent in the three months to March 2026, above the overall average of 18.65 per cent. At those rates, seasonal borrowing is difficult even where an investment is commercially sound.

Government recognises the problem. The Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF), administered through participating financial institutions, financed 11,358 loans worth UGX1.35 trillion (US$366 million) by December 2025. Government has also established a UGX176 billion (US$48 million) scheme for large commercial farmers, while the national budget prioritises commercial agriculture and digital transformation.

The challenge is not only cheaper capital, but efficient delivery to farmers whose loans are small, seasonal and costly to assess. Public policy can reduce funding costs, but access depends on how market actors translate policy into workable lending standards.

The ACF figures illustrate the imbalance. Micro-enterprises represented 76 per cent of beneficiaries but received only 3 per cent of disbursed value. Large projects represented 6 per cent and received 90 per cent. This reflects the transaction costs of identifying farmers, verifying production, assessing cash flow and monitoring many small accounts.

A practical response is a proportionate farm-credit profile containing information needed for a lending decision: verified identity, farm location, cultivated area, production history, cooperative or buyer records, financing needs, insurance status and the expected source and timing of repayment.

These profiles would not replace appraisal or automatically substitute for collateral. They would give banks a consistent reference point, reduce repeated data collection and help distinguish a functioning enterprise from an applicant about whom little can be verified. The profile would become a common interface through which institutions assess and manage risk.

Cooperatives are essential, but their responsibilities must be defined. They can confirm membership, aggregate applications, validate production and delivery records, support financial literacy and, where legally agreed, facilitate deductions from crop proceeds. Membership should not amount to an automatic guarantee, and cooperatives should not be expected to absorb losses arising from weak appraisal or inadequate monitoring.

Agricultural companies can support farm mapping, production information, input verification and agronomic advice, while insurers cover defined risks. Banks retain responsibility for due diligence, affordability assessment, pricing, disbursement, monitoring and recovery. This distributes governance functions among public, private and cooperative actors without removing accountability.

Bank of Uganda’s block allocation model demonstrates aggregation. During the final quarter of 2025, UGX5.04 billion (US$1.37 million) was disbursed to 1,156 micro-borrowers through loans not exceeding UGX20 million. The model allows lenders to assess clusters and use cash flow, movable assets, credit history and group guarantees rather than relying on titled land.

Women remain underrepresented in the ACF. In December 2025, they accounted for 23 per cent of beneficiaries and received only 3 per cent of disbursed value. Bank of Uganda reports stronger participation under block allocation, which permits consideration of cash flow, movable assets, credit history and group guarantees. This is important for women operating productive farms without formal land ownership.

Picture courtsey of OXFAM GB

Bank of Uganda estimates that at least 80 per cent of farmers lack conventionally bankable collateral. Regulators and banks should develop proportionate approaches to alternative security, seasonal cash-flow lending and cooperative verification while maintaining prudential standards.

Insurance is best integrated when a loan is designed. Under the Uganda Agriculture Insurance Scheme, government subsidises 50 per cent of premiums for small-scale farmers, 30 per cent for large farmers and 80 per cent in disaster-prone areas. The Ministry of Finance reported the annual UGX5 billion (US$1.36 million) allocation was inadequate and recommended UGX10 billion (US$2.72 million).

Insurance does not guarantee repayment, but it can prevent a defined weather event from causing an immediate default. Linking insurance, verified production information and seasonal repayment schedules makes risk more measurable and gives banks a stronger basis for pricing loans. Premium pricing and lending terms can therefore reward risk reduction without requiring a new legal mandate.

Digital technology can lower transaction costs, but more data is not automatically better. A farm profile is not neutral if it determines who becomes visible, insurable or creditworthy. Farmers must know what is collected, why, who can access it and how errors can be corrected.  Any system must comply with Uganda’s data-protection framework, apply informed consent and restrict information sharing to legitimate purposes.

Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan links agro-industrialisation with science, technology and innovation. Agricultural finance is an obvious place to apply this direction. The priority should not be another stand-alone application or pilot database, but trusted arrangements through which banks, cooperatives, insurers and agricultural businesses use verified information responsibly. The state sets policy and prudential boundaries, while market actors operationalise them through lending, insurance and data standards.

The case is strengthened by the ACF’s reported non-performing asset ratio of 0.57 per cent at December 2025, compared with 3.7 per cent across commercial banks. Agricultural lending is not inherently unmanageable. It performs better when capital, information, technical support, insurance and repayment structures are aligned.

Uganda has begun lowering agricultural capital costs. The next priority is to reduce the cost of identifying, evaluating and financing credible farmers. This missing infrastructure may determine whether affordable finance reaches viable enterprises at scale or remains concentrated among borrowers already visible to banks. It also shows how public objectives can be implemented through market-based systems that coordinate behaviour, allocate responsibility and shape access to essential resources.

Christopher Burke is a senior advisor at WMC Africa, a communications and advisory agency located in Kampala, Uganda. With over 30 years of experience, he has worked extensively on social, political and economic development issues focused on governance, agriculture, environment, extractives, policy formulation, communications, advocacy, conflict transformation, international relations and peace-building in Asia and Africa.

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The factory, a joint venture between NEC, the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and Kenyan investor Francis Ragwa, represents another attempt to bridge one of Uganda’s longstanding economic challenges: moving from production of raw agricultural commodities to higher-value processing and manufacturing.

Commissioning the facility on July 15, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said the major challenge facing Uganda’s agricultural transformation was no longer production capacity but organising farmers and creating reliable markets for their output.

“The issue of the supply of the required raw materials is just organisational,” President Museveni said, pointing to the expansion of Uganda’s coffee and dairy sectors as examples of how farmer mobilisation and market certainty can transform production.

The President said Uganda’s coffee production had grown from about three million bags to approximately nine million bags, with ambitions to reach 12 million and eventually 20 million bags. He similarly highlighted growth in dairy production, which has increased from 200 million litres annually in 1986 to about 5.4 billion litres today.

The same logic, he argued, should now be applied to livestock and food processing.

The commissioning of the Katonga plant highlights the economic opportunity around Uganda’s livestock sector, where the country has an estimated 16 million cattle, up from about three million in 1986.

However, despite its large livestock base and favourable climate, Uganda has struggled to convert cattle numbers into significant export earnings due to challenges around disease control, certification standards, processing capacity and market access.

NEC Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira said the factory is designed to address some of these gaps by creating demand for locally produced beef and beans while reducing government expenditure on imported canned foods.

For years, Uganda has relied on imported canned beef and beans for military operations, including canned beans sourced from Brazil. The new facility is expected to provide a local alternative while creating opportunities for farmers and food processors.

“The real stimulus is the market,” President Museveni said, arguing that farmers are more likely to invest in commercial production when they have confidence that their produce will be purchased.

That market certainty will be central to the success of the factory. The government is expected to determine whether supplies will come through large-scale commercial farmers or organised smallholder producers.

The investment also reflects a broader regional trend of private capital participating in Africa’s food processing opportunities. Mr Ragwa, who serves as Managing Director of NEC Meat and Beans Processing Plant, said the project demonstrates the potential of African investors to build industries on the continent.

The factory currently employs about 100 workers, including engineers, food scientists and technicians, with further growth expected as production expands.

Lt. Gen. Mugira said Uganda could become a significant global beef exporter if it strengthens veterinary systems, disease control and export certification. He cited Botswana’s beef industry as an example of how targeted investment in quality standards and market access can transform livestock into a major export sector.

For Uganda, the challenge now is scaling the model. The country produces significant volumes of agricultural commodities but continues to export many products in raw form, capturing only a fraction of their final market value. Agro-processing is therefore viewed as a pathway to increase farmer incomes, create industrial jobs and retain more value within the economy.

The NEC Meat and Beans Processing Factory arrives at a time when Uganda is seeking to accelerate industrialisation through agro-processing, one of the key pillars of its long-term economic transformation strategy.

The test, however, will not only be whether the factory can process meat and beans. Its bigger measure of success will be whether it can create a sustainable commercial ecosystem linking farmers, processors, government buyers and export markets.

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Uganda’s next generation of innovators is entering the decisive phase of the Stanbic National Schools Championship, with judges beginning nationwide appraisal visits to assess whether student-led innovations can move beyond classroom concepts into commercially viable solutions.

The assessments, which began this week, will evaluate projects developed by 12 regional finalist schools and six student-led enterprises ahead of the Championship’s grand finale scheduled for August.

Unlike traditional academic competitions, the Stanbic National Schools Championship measures how effectively students identify real-world challenges and develop practical, market-oriented solutions, reflecting Uganda’s growing emphasis on innovation-led entrepreneurship under the competence-based curriculum.

This year’s appraisal process follows an intensive entrepreneurship bootcamp hosted at Gayaza High School in May, where hundreds of student innovators refined their business ideas before the field evaluation phase.

According to Stanbic Bank, the judges are now assessing not only the technical quality of each innovation but also its potential social and commercial impact.

“We see this programme as our contribution to building Uganda’s next entrepreneurs, employees and leaders,” said Diana Ondoga, Manager Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank.

She said the appraisal visits are designed to determine whether students are applying creativity, critical thinking and technology to solve genuine community problems rather than merely producing exhibition projects.

One of the first innovations to be evaluated came from Kyebambe Girls’ Secondary School in western Uganda, where students developed an automated smart irrigation system capable of monitoring irrigation needs and sending alerts to farmers. The project demonstrates how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are increasingly finding their way into student-led agricultural solutions.

“This is exactly the kind of innovation we want to see. Young people are developing practical solutions using technology to address challenges within their communities,” Ondoga said.

The Championship has evolved significantly since its launch in 2016.

In a major shift this year, Stanbic Bank replaced its previous teacher-training model with a nationwide innovation challenge that engaged 913 schools directly. Schools were required to work with learners to develop solutions to practical community problems before the selection process for the bootcamp.

The new approach dramatically expanded the programme’s reach, with Stanbic estimating that up to 95 percent of participating schools benefited from entrepreneurship and innovation learning, regardless of whether they progressed to the regional finals.

Education stakeholders increasingly view such competitions as complementing Uganda’s competence-based curriculum, which prioritises Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), innovation, collaboration and problem-solving over rote learning.

Kyebambe Girls’ Secondary School Headteacher Ruth Kwesiga said participation in the Championship has transformed the way students approach learning and innovation.

She noted that the school’s automated irrigation system had demonstrated sufficient practical value that she hopes to adopt it for her own farming activities.

The finalists reflect a broad cross-section of innovations targeting some of Uganda’s most pressing development challenges.

Projects under consideration include converting plastic waste into construction materials, AI-powered livestock disease detection, affordable poultry feed production, smart recycling technologies, post-harvest storage systems, conservation technologies, wearable healthcare devices for women and low-cost agricultural equipment designed for smallholder farmers.

The diversity of the innovations illustrates a growing shift in secondary education from theoretical science projects towards solutions with commercial potential and measurable social impact.

As appraisal teams continue visiting schools across the country, the competition is increasingly serving as a platform for identifying innovations that could eventually progress beyond the classroom and contribute to Uganda’s broader industrialisation and entrepreneurship agenda.

The winning projects will be unveiled during the Stanbic National Schools Championship grand finale in August.

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European aerospace giant Airbus, has secured a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to design and build Aeolus-2, a next-generation Earth observation satellite that promises to deliver faster and more detailed global wind measurements, strengthening weather prediction, climate research and disaster preparedness.

Rather than simply replacing its predecessor, Aeolus-2 represents the evolution of weather forecasting into a data-intensive digital service. Modern forecasting models increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, both of which depend on vast streams of accurate atmospheric data. By supplying high-resolution wind information from every region of the globe, the satellite is expected to become an essential data source for these systems.

The original Aeolus mission, launched in 2018, was the world’s first satellite capable of directly measuring global wind profiles from space. According to ESA, the mission improved numerical weather forecasting by about four percent, a significant gain in an industry where even marginal improvements can translate into better storm warnings, aviation safety and agricultural planning.

“Aeolus exceeded expectations and demonstrated the transformative impact that space-based wind observations can have on weather forecasting. Aeolus-2 represents the natural evolution of that achievement – from pioneering research to an operational service that will benefit citizens and businesses worldwide. We are happy to provide the authorisation to proceed, which marks an important milestone in ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of atmospheric observation and meteorological innovation,” said Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes.

Aeolus-2 aims to build on that success with more sophisticated technology. At the heart of the satellite is an advanced Doppler wind lidar instrument that fires ultraviolet laser pulses through the atmosphere. By analysing the tiny changes in the reflected light, the system can determine both wind speed and direction from ground level to approximately 30 kilometres in altitude. The instrument performs measurements every one-hundredth of a second while scanning the planet, allowing the satellite to build a continuously updated picture of global atmospheric circulation.

Unlike the first mission, Aeolus-2 will also carry an additional detector capable of measuring atmospheric aerosols, including dust, smoke and volcanic ash. These observations will improve climate research while also supporting aviation by providing better information on airborne hazards.

The satellite is designed to orbit Earth about 15 times each day at an altitude of roughly 450 kilometres. Weather centres are expected to receive data within two hours of collection, enabling faster assimilation into forecasting systems and allowing models to update more rapidly as weather conditions evolve.

That capability reflects a broader shift in Earth observation, where satellites are increasingly viewed not simply as scientific instruments but as providers of operational digital services. Continuous, near real-time environmental data has become essential infrastructure for governments, airlines, shipping companies, emergency responders and energy providers that depend on accurate forecasts to make operational decisions.

The programme is being developed by ESA in partnership with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), with users expected to include major forecasting institutions such as the UK’s Met Office and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

“Aeolus-2 is more than a scientific mission; it is a major investment in British talent,” said Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK. “This project allows our highly skilled UK teams to apply their unique expertise to enhance weather monitoring and lead the way globally in Earth observation and science.”

The contract reinforces Airbus’ position in Europe’s growing space technology ecosystem while demonstrating how satellite innovation is increasingly converging with artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advanced analytics.

As climate variability increases and demand for more precise forecasts continues to grow, satellites like Aeolus-2 are becoming as important to the digital economy as communication and navigation systems—turning space into one of the world’s most valuable sources of environmental intelligence.

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Equity Bank Uganda and My Tree Initiative have strengthened their partnership to advance environmental conservation and climate resilience through a major tree planting exercise at Kyasanku Hill College in Kasanje, Mpigi District, reinforcing the Bank’s contribution to Equity Group’s ambitious target of planting 35 million trees across East Africa.

Held along the Kampala-Masaka Highway, the exercise saw Kyasanku Hill College dedicate two-acres of land for environmental restoration, with students, teachers, community leaders and partners planting a mix of indigenous and fruit tree species that will provide long-term ecological, educational and economic benefits.

The initiative forms part of Equity Bank Uganda’s sustainability agenda under the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), which recognizes environmental conservation as a key driver of climate resilience, food security, biodiversity protection and inclusive economic growth.

Speaking during the event, Virginia Ssemakula, Equity Bank Uganda’s Manager for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, said protecting the environment is inseparable from the Bank’s mission of transforming lives.

“At Equity Bank, we believe that transforming lives also means protecting the environment, because true prosperity can only exist on a healthy planet,” she said.

Ssemakula noted that sustainability extends beyond present-day achievements and requires responsible stewardship of natural resources for generations to come.

“Sustainability is not just about today’s progress. It is about ensuring that future generations inherit the same opportunities, resources and dignity that we enjoy today,” she said.

Leonard Ssennyonjo Head Teacher Kyasanku Hill College giving a speech at the function

She added that environmental degradation and climate change are already affecting communities across the region.

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Floods, droughts and environmental disasters remind us every day that protecting nature is everyone’s responsibility. Our natural resources are limited, and the responsibility before us is not simply to use them, but to use them wisely and sustainably.”

Recognizing the growing role of the private sector in climate action, Ssemakula emphasized that financial institutions have an important responsibility in supporting sustainable development.

“Financial institutions have a vital role in building a sustainable economy by investing in solutions that protect the environment and secure a better future for all.”

The partnership with My Tree Initiative brings together two organizations committed to restoring Uganda’s declining forest cover while empowering communities, particularly young people, to become champions of environmental conservation.

Founded by Executive Director Enjer Ashiraf, My Tree Initiative works closely with the Ministry of Water and Environment, schools, local communities, development partners and the private sector to drive reforestation and climate awareness programmes across Uganda.

Ashiraf described tree planting as an investment in both people and the planet.

“Tree planting is not simply about restoring forests; it is about restoring hope, protecting livelihoods and securing the future of our communities. Through partnerships such as this one with Equity Bank Uganda, we are creating practical solutions to environmental challenges while empowering young people to take ownership of the climate agenda.”

Guest of Honour and Mawokota North Member of Parliament Amelia Kyambadde urged Ugandans to rethink how they value trees, noting that they represent far more than commercial timber.

“Trees are more than timber. They provide food, shelter, biodiversity, clean air and a better future for generations to come,” she said.

Kyambadde challenged the continued destruction of forests for charcoal, saying the practice threatens both livelihoods and the country’s environmental future.

“Let us stop cutting trees for charcoal. Every tree we save today is an investment in Uganda’s tomorrow.”

Reflecting on her own experience, she described trees as a source of healing and personal renewal.

“For the past five years, trees have been my therapy. Today I plant them, tomorrow I sit beneath them to read, reflect and find peace.”

She also called for a shift in public attitudes toward forests.

“A tree should not only be seen as cash waiting to be cut. Its greatest value lies in the life it sustains.”

Concluding her remarks, Kyambadde reminded participants that environmental conservation is ultimately an investment in future generations.

“The greatest wealth we can leave our children is not money, but a healthy environment. Every tree planted today is a promise of a greener tomorrow.”

The Mpigi exercise builds on Equity Bank Uganda’s expanding environmental footprint across the country. The Bank has partnered with schools, cultural institutions, environmental organizations and local governments to implement some of Uganda’s most significant private-sector-led greening initiatives.

Among them is the Bugisu Greening Campaign, implemented with the Umukuka wa Bugisu and the GRO Foundation, through which more than 60,000 trees are being planted following a UGX 60 million investment. At Busoga College Mwiri, the Bank partnered with the Kenya High Commission and Million Trees International to invest UGX 85 million in planting over 43,000 indigenous trees and establishing a 10-acre fruit orchard. Additional conservation projects have reached St. Julian High School Gayaza.

As climate change continues to threaten ecosystems, agriculture and livelihoods across East Africa, the Mpigi initiative demonstrates how partnerships between financial institutions, schools, civil society and communities can accelerate environmental restoration. For Equity Bank Uganda and My Tree Initiative, the exercise represents more than planting trees. It is a shared investment in climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and a greener future for Uganda and the wider East African region.

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As African countries accelerate investments in aviation infrastructure and digital economies, attention is increasingly shifting from aircraft and airports to the workforce needed to sustain them.

That transition is driving greater investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, with global aerospace companies partnering with education organisations to build the continent’s future aviation talent pipeline.

The latest initiative comes in Senegal, where ThinkYoung, in partnership with Boeing, has launched its ThinkYoung STEM School, introducing young learners to digital technologies and careers in aviation, engineering and emerging technologies.

The three-day programme, held in Dakar from June 23–25, brought together 49 students aged between 12 and 18 years, including 30 girls, in what organisers describe as an effort to prepare young Africans for careers in rapidly evolving technology-driven industries.

Delivered alongside Steamtastic, the Senegal Drone Academy and D-Hub, the curriculum combines practical learning in coding, aviation, drone technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and the metaverse, while also developing problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills.

The expansion comes at a time when many African economies are confronting a growing mismatch between rising demand for technical skills and the supply of qualified professionals capable of supporting industrialisation, digital transformation and aviation growth.

For the aviation industry in particular, the challenge extends beyond pilots and engineers to software developers, drone specialists, maintenance technicians and data professionals needed to support increasingly digital aircraft and airport operations.

According to Henok Teferra Shawl, Boeing Africa Managing Director, Senegal’s aviation ambitions make investment in future talent as important as investment in physical infrastructure.

“With the development of Blaise Diagne International Airport and Air Sénégal’s commitment to renew its fleet with nine Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, Senegal has an opportunity to become one of West Africa’s major gateways to global markets,” he said.

“That growth will create high-value jobs across aviation, logistics and related industries. The ThinkYoung STEM School helps raise awareness of these career opportunities while equipping young people with future-ready skills.”

The programme aligns with Senegal’s broader national strategy to strengthen STEM education through specialised science and technology streams in secondary schools, expanded digital skills training and practical extracurricular learning.

For Boeing, the initiative also reflects a long-term industry strategy increasingly focused on workforce development alongside aircraft sales.

Aircraft deliveries alone cannot sustain aviation growth if countries lack engineers, technicians, software specialists and maintenance professionals to operate increasingly sophisticated fleets.

ThinkYoung founder Andrea Gerosa said the programme has now trained nearly 2,000 young people across Africa, West Asia and Europe, helping expose students to careers that may otherwise appear inaccessible.

“As technology and innovation reshape economies, it is essential to equip young people with the skills to think critically, solve complex problems and adapt to change,” Gerosa said.

“By investing in STEM education today, we are helping build stronger futures for young people and the industries that will depend on them tomorrow.”

Over the past decade, the Boeing-ThinkYoung partnership has reached more than 950 young people in Africa, with approximately 60 percent of participants being girls and young women, reflecting a deliberate effort to improve gender representation in STEM and aviation careers.

The programme also signals a wider shift taking place across the continent, where governments, educational institutions and private industry are increasingly recognising that Africa’s competitiveness will depend not only on infrastructure investment but also on developing the skilled workforce capable of powering innovation-led economic growth.

For African economies pursuing industrialisation, digital transformation and expanded air connectivity, the race to build airports is increasingly becoming a race to build talent.

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Uganda has launched its first national coffee brand, Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature, as the country seeks to transition from being a leading commodity exporter to a premium coffee origin. The move comes as coffee export earnings climb to USD2.38 billion, reinforcing the crop’s position as Uganda’s leading merchandise export.

Uganda has unveiled its first national coffee brand in a landmark move aimed at repositioning the country from one of the world’s largest coffee exporters to a premium origin capable of commanding greater recognition—and potentially higher value—in international markets.

Launched at the World of Coffee exhibition in Brussels, the new brand, Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature, represents the country’s most ambitious effort yet to build a distinct global identity for a sector that has become Uganda’s leading merchandise export.

The initiative seeks to ensure that international buyers, roasters and consumers recognise Uganda not simply as a supplier of coffee beans, but as a premium coffee origin with a compelling story rooted in quality, sustainability and heritage.

The launch comes as Uganda’s coffee industry enjoys unprecedented momentum.

Over the 12 months to April 2026, the country exported 8.78 million 60-kilogramme bags of coffee worth USD2.38 billion, representing growth of 22 percent in export volumes and 23 percent in export value compared with the previous year.

In April alone, coffee exports reached 591,687 bags valued at USD155.5 million, underlining coffee’s enduring importance as Uganda’s largest foreign exchange earner.

While Uganda has long been recognised as Africa’s largest coffee exporter by volume and the birthplace of Robusta coffee, policymakers increasingly believe the country’s next opportunity lies beyond increasing production.

Instead, the focus is shifting towards capturing greater value through branding, quality differentiation and direct engagement with international markets.

Junior minister for Agriculture Desire Muhooza said the new national identity reflects Uganda’s ambition to build a globally trusted coffee brand while strengthening compliance with increasingly demanding international market requirements.

“Uganda’s coffee sector is charting a bold path forward—anchored in stronger quality systems, full compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation, and expanded entry into Europe’s markets,” Muhooza said.

“In line with President Museveni’s vision of coffee as a strategic national asset, Uganda is determined to transform its beans into a global brand of trust, sustainability, and economic strength.”

The branding strategy arrives at a critical moment for the industry as consumers increasingly seek traceable, sustainably produced coffees with distinctive origins rather than undifferentiated commodity products.

Europe, which accounted for 52 percent of Uganda’s coffee exports in April 2026, remains the country’s largest export destination, with Italy and Germany among its biggest buyers.

Brussels, home to both the World of Coffee exhibition and the European Union institutions, provided a strategic platform for introducing Uganda’s new identity to the world’s largest coffee-consuming market.

The brand’s central promise—”It’s in Our Nature”—is designed to communicate both Uganda’s natural coffee-growing conditions and the country’s cultural relationship with coffee.

According to the campaign, the phrase refers not only to Uganda’s fertile soils, favourable altitude, abundant water and biodiversity, but also to values of trust, hospitality and resilience that have historically been associated with coffee-growing communities.

The new visual identity incorporates coffee beans into the national wordmark alongside the Crested Crane, Uganda’s national bird, while drawing on the country’s national colours and coffee-inspired tones intended to distinguish Uganda in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

The launch forms part of a broader trade promotion strategy that will extend beyond exhibitions into export marketing, buyer engagement, packaging, digital campaigns and international promotional activities.

It also reflects a wider trend among commodity-exporting countries seeking to build stronger national brands capable of improving price realisation and customer loyalty.

Uganda’s participation as the Portrait Country at this year’s World of Coffee exhibition gave the country a prominent showcase that included coffee tastings, cultural performances and meetings with international buyers.

The campaign has been supported through MARKUP II, the European Union-funded Market Access Upgrade Programme implemented by the International Trade Centre.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Belgium, Mirjam Blaak Sow, said the initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen commercial relationships with Europe’s coffee industry while attracting new investment into Uganda’s value chain.

“The World of Coffee in Brussels offers a unique platform for Uganda to present its coffee story directly to the European market, the world’s largest coffee-consuming region,” she said.

“Through this campaign, we aim to strengthen trade relations, attract investment, and elevate Uganda’s brand as a producer of world-class coffee.”

For Uganda, the significance of the new brand extends beyond marketing.

As global coffee markets become increasingly competitive and consumers place greater emphasis on provenance, sustainability and quality assurance, building a recognised national coffee identity could help the country secure stronger market positioning and greater export value.

If successful, Uganda Coffee: It’s in Our Nature could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s coffee industry—one in which Uganda exports not only more coffee, but a stronger global brand.

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Escalating energy costs are emerging as one of the biggest operational challenges facing Uganda’s education sector, prompting growing interest in renewable energy solutions that can lower costs and improve long-term sustainability.

The issue came into sharp focus during a business forum organised by Stanbic Bank Uganda for education sector clients, where school proprietors, energy experts, financiers and policymakers examined how renewable energy could help institutions manage rising expenditure while improving service delivery.

The forum forms part of Stanbic Bank’s year-long regional business engagement programme marking the bank’s 35 years of operation in Uganda.

Participants heard that while access to electricity has expanded significantly across the country, many schools continue to grapple with high utility bills, unreliable power supply, rising generator fuel costs and dependence on firewood for cooking.

For institutions operating under tight budgets, these costs are increasingly competing with spending on infrastructure, learning materials and staff development.

Eng. David Birimumaaso, Assistant Commissioner for Energy Efficiency and Conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, said access to reliable and affordable energy remains critical for improving educational outcomes.

“Access to reliable and affordable energy is essential for creating conducive learning environments. Renewable solutions can bridge existing gaps while supporting Uganda’s broader climate and development objectives,” he said.

The discussion highlighted a broader shift taking place across Uganda’s economy as businesses and institutions seek alternatives to conventional energy sources in response to rising operating costs.

For schools, renewable energy is increasingly being viewed through a commercial lens rather than purely as an environmental intervention.

Tunde Thorpe, Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Executive Head of Business and Commercial Banking, said investments in clean energy can help institutions reduce inefficiencies that drain resources.

“Many institutions still struggle with energy-related inefficiencies that affect service delivery. Clean energy solutions free up resources that can be redirected to improving learning outcomes,” Thorpe said.

He noted that access to financing remains a major barrier for many institutions seeking to transition to renewable technologies, adding that Stanbic has developed financing solutions aimed at making such investments more affordable.

Uganda’s energy landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. Current estimates show national electricity access at 56.7 percent, with solar energy accounting for 37.7 percent of access compared to 18.9 percent connected through the national grid.

Despite this progress, many educational institutions, particularly those located outside major urban centres, continue to experience energy reliability challenges that affect teaching, administration and student welfare.

Noah Ochima of the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company said technological advances and falling costs have made renewable energy systems increasingly viable for schools.

“Renewable energy is no longer a future option; it is a present-day necessity,” he said.

Private sector players participating in the forum argued that institutions should increasingly view renewable energy investments as long-term cost management strategies capable of generating measurable financial returns.

Mohammed Lubowa, Managing Director of All in Trade Uganda, said schools should assess renewable energy projects based on their ability to deliver operational savings and improve energy security over time.

Beyond electricity, participants also highlighted the continued dependence on firewood by many schools, raising concerns about environmental sustainability, health impacts and rising fuel costs.

Melissa Nyakwera, Stanbic Bank’s Head of Commercial Banking, said addressing these challenges would require stronger collaboration between financial institutions, government agencies, development partners and energy providers.

She said the bank is expanding support to schools through financing, technical advisory services and partnerships designed to accelerate adoption of sustainable technologies.

The bank is also offering financing products beyond energy solutions, including asset financing for school transport and lending facilities that rely on transaction history rather than traditional collateral requirements.

As operating costs continue to rise, school administrators are under pressure to find efficiencies without compromising educational quality. Renewable energy, once viewed primarily as an environmental consideration, is now emerging as a strategic investment capable of protecting budgets, improving reliability and strengthening the long-term sustainability of educational institutions.

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For decades, cocoa was considered an unlikely crop for northern Uganda. The prevailing view among farmers and agricultural experts was that Lira’s climate was too dry to support a crop traditionally associated with the wetter regions of western Uganda and West Africa.

That perception is now being tested by Joseph Ogwal Oyuk, a farmer and director of Acanga Farm Estates in Lira City West, who is using solar-powered irrigation to demonstrate that cocoa can thrive in the region under the right conditions.

The experiment is gaining attention as farmers search for alternatives to traditional cash crops such as cotton and oilseeds, whose returns have often been constrained by price volatility and limited value addition.

On his farm, Ogwal has dedicated an acre to cocoa production and established a nursery with more than 30,000 seedlings destined for farmers across the Lango sub-region.

His journey with cocoa began more than two decades ago but was hampered by a persistent shortage of water.

“When I started, I used a watering can, then a treadle pump, then a petrol pump,” Ogwal said. “We carried water manually from the source. Workers got exhausted, the process was slow, and costs were high.”

The economics changed when he adopted a solar-powered irrigation system that pumps water directly to the nursery and fields.

According to Ogwal, tasks that previously consumed hours of labour can now be completed in minutes, allowing the farm to double nursery production from 15,000 to 30,000 seedlings.

The irrigation system was supplied by Tulima Solar through a Results-Based Financing programme supported by Equity Bank Uganda, an arrangement designed to make productive-use renewable energy technologies more accessible to farmers and small businesses.

The increase in seedling production comes at a time when interest in cocoa is growing. Rising prices have made the crop increasingly attractive to farmers looking for higher-value agricultural enterprises.

Industry players say the experience in Lira highlights how irrigation and climate-smart farming technologies are expanding the range of crops that can be grown outside their traditional production zones.

For Ogwal, the opportunity extends beyond his own farm.

Through a field training centre established at Acanga Farm Estates, he provides practical instruction on cocoa production and farm management. More than 200 farmers have already received seedlings and technical support.

“People come here to learn how to grow cocoa profitably,” he said.

The farm has evolved into a demonstration site for agricultural diversification, showing how technology can reduce production risks and unlock new opportunities for farmers.

Equity Bank Uganda says its support for renewable energy financing is intended to increase access to technologies that improve productivity and rural incomes.

“Our vision is a Uganda where every household and business can access clean energy without taking on unmanageable debt,” said Virginia Semakula, the bank’s Manager for Energy, Environment and Climate Change.

Ogwal is now planning a major expansion, targeting production of up to 300,000 cocoa seedlings and increasing the acreage under cultivation.

If successful, the initiative could accelerate the emergence of cocoa as a commercial crop in a region where it was once considered impossible to grow, creating a new income stream for farmers and further diversifying northern Uganda’s agricultural economy.

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