UK and Uganda strengthen agricultural ties through new agro-industrialisation drive…reports Asian Lite News
The first UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum was held on 27 August 2025, bringing together representatives from both governments, farmers, businesses and development partners to discuss collaborations aimed at boosting farm productivity, exports to the UK, regional food trade, and climate resilience.
Agro-industrialisation has been identified as one of the key pillars of Uganda’s National Development Plan. Through this initiative, the Ugandan government aims to enhance agricultural financing, expand agro-industrial infrastructure, improve access to modern technology, and strengthen value chains in order to increase the country’s agro-exports. The strategy underlines Uganda’s ambition to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture, turning its vast arable land and youthful workforce into engines of industrial growth and export competitiveness.
The United Kingdom has a longstanding partnership with Uganda’s agricultural sector, with British businesses contributing to key development projects. One notable collaboration is with UK company Nexus Green, which has partnered with Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment to roll out solar-powered irrigation schemes across the country. These projects are designed to reduce the vulnerability of farmers to erratic rainfall and increase agricultural productivity throughout the year.
The forum highlighted how the UK’s 39-million-pound Climate Smart Jobs programme is already supporting businesses, researchers and financial institutions in Northern Uganda. The initiative is designed to boost both productivity and climate resilience among farmers, fostering green growth and sustainable livelihoods. Alongside this, the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) has eased access for Ugandan exporters, allowing their agricultural produce to reach UK retail markets more efficiently.
Speaking at the forum, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Lisa Chesney, reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment to Uganda’s agricultural transformation and economic development. “The UK is committed to our partnership with Uganda and working together to accelerate sustainable development and mutually beneficial economic growth. We know this goal cannot be realised without transforming agriculture as Uganda’s biggest employer,” she said.
She added: “I’m therefore excited to bring together public and private sector leaders to discuss how the UK and Uganda can build on our deep existing links in the agricultural sector, to increase farm productivity, exports, climate resilience, and support Uganda’s ten-fold-growth ambitions.”
The forum served as a platform for both countries to explore opportunities for trade, technology transfer, and sustainable investment in agriculture. Discussions focused on how British innovation and Ugandan agricultural potential could be aligned to strengthen value addition and agro-industrial growth, especially in areas such as food processing, packaging, and export logistics.
Among its expected outcomes, the forum aims to raise awareness of UK agricultural technologies that can increase productivity and support agro-industrialisation in Uganda. British companies working in areas such as smart irrigation, renewable energy, and agritech innovation are expected to play a crucial role in this collaboration.
Another key goal of the event was to link UK and Ugandan agribusinesses, enabling partnerships that can help Uganda tap into international markets while also fostering job creation and knowledge exchange. With Uganda Airlines now operating direct flights to the UK, stakeholders see new opportunities to boost exports of fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers, to British supermarkets.
Policymakers and trade experts at the forum also discussed ways to identify and address trade barriers that hinder agricultural exports, such as logistics challenges, quality standards, and certification processes. The discussions are expected to inform both governments as they work towards creating a more enabling environment for cross-border agricultural trade.
The forum additionally highlighted the importance of media engagement in driving awareness about climate change challenges and solutions within the agricultural sector. Ugandan and UK media houses were encouraged to focus on the role of climate-smart farming practices and the importance of innovation in securing the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.
As Uganda looks to achieve its “ten-fold growth” target for agricultural exports, the UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum marks a significant step in deepening bilateral cooperation. It aligns with both countries’ broader commitment to sustainable development and green growth, while creating new pathways for investment, technology transfer, and trade expansion.
For Uganda, the forum reinforces its ambition to move up the global agricultural value chain, while for the UK it represents an opportunity to expand trade partnerships in Africa under post-Brexit frameworks such as the DCTS. The dialogue underscored that agro-industrialisation is not only a driver of economic growth but also a critical component of climate resilience and regional food security.
As both nations continue to strengthen their cooperation, stakeholders expressed optimism that the outcomes of this forum will translate into tangible projects that empower farmers, improve productivity, and increase Uganda’s share in global agricultural markets.
