Mushroom farmers across Kampala Metropolitan Area are celebrating the success of their ventures, crediting President Museveni for inspiring them to pursue the lucrative agribusiness.
Many of these entrepreneurs were motivated to start mushroom farming after visiting the President’s demonstration farm in Kawumu, Luwero District.
During a recent tour by Princess Pauline Nassolo, Senior Presidential Advisor, farmers like Abubaker Kiirya of Looks Good Farm in Bulindo, Kira Municipality, shared their stories of growth.
Kiirya, who began his business in 2017, highlighted the versatility of mushrooms as a nutritious and profitable food source.
He noted that mushrooms, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, have a strong market demand, but supply remains low.
Kiirya emphasized that mushroom cultivation is particularly suited for urban areas, as it requires minimal space and no direct sunlight.
He explained that even small backyard areas can accommodate 200 mushroom gardens, with an initial investment of about shs600,000.
“You don’t need a very big space. With a small structure and proper shelves, you can grow over 1,000 gardens. Mushrooms are organic and easy to grow without chemicals. This makes them ideal for urban farming,” Kiirya explained.
He further noted the rapid growth cycle of mushrooms, with some varieties ready for harvest within four weeks. On average, a small farm can yield about 1.5 kilograms of mushrooms per garden, providing a potential income of shs1.5 million over three to four months.
Other farmers echoed Kiirya’s sentiments. Livingstone Bbosa, a resident of Masajja in Makindye Ssabagabo, shared how he used UGX 1 million from the Parish Development Model to kick-start his mushroom farm. Beyond mushrooms, Bbosa has expanded into producing organic soap, lotion, and charcoal lighters.
Yona Bahimbwomugisha, another farmer from Kijjabijo, Wakiso District, recounted how a visit to President Museveni’s farm in 2018 motivated him to invest in mushroom farming. Starting with just UGX 600,000, Bahimbwomugisha now harvests 20 kilograms of mushrooms weekly, generating UGX 100,000 in sales.
“I thank President Museveni for teaching young people like me the value of mushroom farming. Many youths are now engaged in productive activities rather than wasting time on politics,” Bahimbwomugisha said.
Racheal Najjuuko, CEO of Saci Innovations Uganda Limited, which focuses on mushroom value addition, emphasized the need for more training. She said that proper education on cultivation techniques, collection centers, and packaging facilities could significantly boost the sector.
Enid Kalinte, another mushroom farmer from Bunga in Wakiso District, shared that she has doubled her production to meet growing demand. She encouraged women and housewives to join the mushroom farming business as a way to earn a steady income and break the cycle of poverty.
Despite their successes, the farmers appealed to President Museveni for further support. They requested assistance in acquiring a collection center and value-addition equipment, such as dryers, to help them access larger markets.
“We have seen the President support coffee farmers. We ask him to also support mushroom farmers because we have a great market in East Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Arnold Ssekulima from Nansana.
Princess Nassolo praised mushroom farming as a sustainable solution for urban poverty, highlighting its low capital requirements and high profitability. She encouraged farmers to collaborate, assuring them that collective efforts would lead to improved quality control and access to export markets.
