Horticultural farmers in western Bunyoro sub-region have entered a joint venture with local exporter KK Foods to supply fresh produce to Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, in a move aimed at boosting incomes and expanding access to international markets.
The farmers, organised under the Albertine Farmers Association (AFA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KK Foods following a capacity-building programme.
The partnership was officially launched at the Ageteraine Agro-Processing Facility in Hoima City, where the association’s chairperson, Julius Kwamya, said the venture will initially focus on hot pepper and chilli production.
“We agreed to begin with hot pepper and chilli, given their high demand and short production cycle, but we intend to scale into other enterprises over time,” Kwamya said.
Demand for chilli products in Europe continues to grow, driven by shifting consumer tastes and increasing demand for diverse and spicy cuisines. Major markets include France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The initiative is one of the outcomes of a training programme conducted in August 2025 by Stanbic Business Incubator Limited under the Albertine Agribusiness Development Programme (ADP), in partnership with Uganda National Oil Company.
Kwamya said the association currently has 1,930 registered members and aims to grow this number to 10,000 by the end of 2026. However, he identified limited access to extension services as a key challenge affecting productivity, urging government intervention to strengthen support at the grassroots.
Speaking at the event, Stanbic Business Incubator Chief Executive Officer Catherine Poran said the initiative demonstrates the importance of linking farmers to markets.
“Production alone is not enough. The real value comes when farmers can access reliable markets and earn from their efforts. Our role is to support enterprises to scale and contribute to Uganda’s economic growth,” she said.
Nicholas Atukwase, Production Manager at KK Foods, noted that the company requires at least 50 tonnes of produce weekly to meet export demand.
He urged farmers to prioritise quality, consistency, and adherence to regulatory standards to remain competitive in international markets.
Meanwhile, Percy Mucunguzi, National Content Officer at UNOC, commended the farmers for working collectively and promoting knowledge-sharing within their communities.
He also encouraged diversification, noting that agriculture plays a critical role in supporting other sectors of the economy, including oil and gas.
Emmanuel Blair Niyitegeka, a senior agricultural inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, emphasised the need for farmers to meet strict export standards.
“To access markets in Europe and beyond, farmers must ensure their produce is pest-free and complies with all quality requirements,” he said, adding that proper pest control and correct pesticide use are essential.
Hoima District Production Officer Dr. Charles Kajura stressed the importance of certification and traceability.
“Each farmer must be registered and assigned a code to enable traceability. This ensures accountability and helps maintain quality standards in export markets,” he said.
Dr. Kajura also highlighted the need for farmers to organise into groups to improve access to extension services, noting that the district is training Community-Based Facilitators to support farmers at the local level.
