KAMPALA — Uganda’s agricultural future is being redefined, not only through innovation and policy reforms but also through recognition and inspiration. At the heart of this change are the Annual Agriculture Awards (AA-Awards)—a platform that is drawing youth into farming and laying the foundation for a sustainable agribusiness economy.
The 3rd edition of the awards, held recently at Imperial Royal Hotel, brought together hundreds of sector stakeholders including farmers, policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, and private sector actors. Winners were recognized across 26 categories, ranging from outstanding youth agripreneurs and extension officers to best agribusiness enterprises and community innovators.
“The Awards are not just an event. They are a movement transforming how Uganda sees agriculture—and how young people see themselves in it,” said Grace Musimami, CE Annual Agriculture Awards and long-serving agricultural communicator.
With Uganda’s population being over 70% youth, the awards have struck a critical chord—positioning agriculture as a modern, profitable, and dignified career. Young winners shared inspiring stories of overcoming odds, using technology, and creating employment through farming.
Participants and stakeholders praised the Awards for motivating rural youth, raising awareness, and strengthening pride in the agricultural sector.
“This platform has given us visibility and purpose. We hope it becomes a national tradition,” said a young farmer from Bushenyi.
Finance, Tax, and Sustainability Discussions
The event also featured a pre-award panel discussion with representatives from Bank of Uganda, Equity Bank, and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). The panel urged farmers to take advantage of new agricultural loan products tailored for smallholders and to practice financial discipline.
Officials emphasized that honoring loan repayments and timely tax compliance would enhance creditworthiness and open more growth opportunities for farmers and cooperatives.
“Finance is now more accessible than ever. What we need is accountability from the farmers, so we can continue to invest in their future,” noted an Equity Bank official.
Spotlight on Uganda’s Leading Crop Enterprises
The awards also aligned with Uganda’s national push to strengthen key agricultural exports and enterprises, many of which are thriving under new regional and international frameworks. These include:
Coffee, Uganda’s top export, gaining ground in value addition and branding, Fish, now expanding through cold-chain investments and export deals, Avocados, mangoes, pineapples, and chili, growing under structured market agreements, Maize, beans, and soy, driving regional food security and agro-industry, Vanilla and cassava, targeted for agro-processing and industrial use
Several awardees represented these sectors, showcasing innovation, export-readiness, and resilience in the face of climate and market challenges.
Recognition Driving Sector Transformation
Organized with the support of partners such as FAO, UNCDF, AGRA, UDB, UTB, Centenary Bank, aBi Development, , Baba TV, and Farmers Media Uganda, the AA-Awards have become a flagship event in Uganda’s agriculture calendar.
“When you reward effort and innovation, you inspire more people to follow. That’s what these awards are doing,” said Musimami.
Stakeholders are now calling for the government and private sector to integrate the AA-Awards into national policy and planning, ensuring continuity and scale-up. At a time when youth unemployment, food security, and climate change are pressing national issues, the AA-Awards are lighting a clear path forward—one that places youth, innovation, and sustainability at the center of Uganda’s agricultural success story.
