Uganda Agri-BDS training has taken a significant step forward with the launch of a new capacity-building programme aimed at enhancing the performance of Agricultural Business Development Service (Ag-BDS) providers. The initiative falls under the Ag-BDS Ecosystem Enhancement Project (ABEEP), a collaborative effort designed to strengthen Uganda’s agricultural value chains and SME competitiveness.
Led by a consortium of the African Management Institute (AMI), the Agribusiness Market Ecosystem Alliance (AMEA), and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), and supported by AGRA, the programme targets systemic challenges facing Agri-SMEs. With agriculture employing over 70% of Uganda’s population and contributing 24% to GDP, the sector remains central to national development. Yet, small businesses operating in this space still grapple with limited financing, poor market access, and inadequate technical support.
The training officially launched on June 20, 2025, at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The event gathered stakeholders from AGRA Uganda, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), all united in their mission to elevate the quality of Ag-BDS across the country.
Rethinking BDS for Impact and Growth
David Wozemba, AGRA’s Country Director, emphasized the importance of coordination within the ecosystem. “We are not the ones who will transform food systems. We serve as catalysts. True transformation happens when each actor understands their role and delivers value where the system is broken,” he explained.
ABEEP seeks to align with Uganda’s National Development Plans III and IV by focusing on four core goals:
- Enhancing the capacity of Ag-BDS providers to deliver market-relevant services.
- Strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of Agri-SMEs by improving access to finance, technology, and market linkages.
- Supporting inclusive growth by uplifting women, youth, and rural-based agribusinesses.
- Establishing a sustainable Ag-BDS ecosystem through national standards, certification, and structural reform.
Alvin Katto, AMI’s Country Manager, shared that 60 Ag-BDS providers will undergo intensive training over the next four months. “Our blended learning model combines tools with hands-on support. The goal is to prepare providers to help Agri-SMEs access finance, find new markets, and embrace digital tools,” Katto noted. He added that participants would also receive instruction on Uganda’s soon-to-be-gazetted BDS standards.
Strengthening the Foundation of Agribusiness Support
Harrison Kaziro, Uganda’s Regional Facilitator for AMEA, stressed the urgency of reforming the fragmented BDS landscape. “If we’re serious about transforming Agri-MSMEs, we must move beyond short-term donor projects and invest in long-lasting, professional support systems,” he said. According to Kaziro, AMEA’s approach prioritizes collaboration, certification, and sustainable networks that outlive project cycles.
Ronald Kyagulanyi, PSFU’s Economic and Research Analyst, echoed these sentiments. “The focus isn’t just on compliance. It’s about transforming how we as service providers think. We must act like entrepreneurs—building leadership, delivering accessible services, and creating value,” he stated. He emphasized that business growth starts from within the support system itself.
Johnson Abitekaniza, Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Trade, delivered the keynote. He warned against surface-level solutions and urged for more practical, localised BDS approaches. “We need to professionalize BDS delivery. That means moving away from motivational rhetoric and toward action-oriented, measurable support,” he said. He highlighted the importance of avoiding generic models and “consultancy without context,” which often fail to address real business challenges.
Positioning for Policy, Practice, and Productivity
The ABEEP initiative comes at a time when Uganda’s fiscal policy strongly favors agriculture. The 2025/26 national budget allocates major resources toward agro-industrialization, with an 8% growth target for the sector. This aligns perfectly with ABEEP’s goals, offering a rare synergy between policy intent and grassroots capacity-building.
The consortium behind the training brings unique value:
- AMI is known for its hands-on business education tailored to Africa’s SME sector.
- AMEA promotes structured, scalable BDS and farmer group development.
- PSFU represents Uganda’s private sector in advocacy and enterprise support.
- AGRA plays a catalytic role in creating inclusive, sustainable agricultural systems across the continent.
Together, these organizations aim to overhaul how BDS functions in Uganda’s agricultural sector—making it more professional, practical, and impactful. The Ag-BDS providers trained under ABEEP are not only gaining skills but are being equipped to lead a movement—one that links farmers to value, businesses to opportunity, and Uganda’s agriculture to its full potential.
For broader context on agriculture’s economic importance, read about the role of agriculture in Uganda’s GDP growth.
If you’re planning a business in the sector, here’s a guide on how to start a profitable agribusiness in Uganda.
See the original report on this initiative from Business Focus Uganda.
Stay updated on challenges affecting farmers through insights on Uganda’s coffee export market and UPDF’s ongoing cattle eviction drive.
