EU Funds Uganda’s Fruit Export Capacity Boost

“EU Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Jan Sadek (seated, centre), posed for a photo with key stakeholders from the agriculture sector.”

‘Uganda’s fruit and vegetable farmers are set to receive major support as the European Union injects €8 million (Shs32 billion) into a new initiative to help them meet strict international safety standards. The four-year project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture alongside partners CABI, COLEAD and HortiFresh, with oversight from a steering committee comprising CABI(lead for Implementation), HortiFresh, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), EU, PACEID, and other key stakeholders. Assistant commissioner in the Department of Crop and Inspection and Certification at MAAIF, Dr. Nankinga has been appointed Project Manager. The move comes after growing EU concerns over Uganda’s export safety compliance. At the project launch in Kampala, EU Ambassador Jan Sadek stressed that meeting sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules isn’t just about market access—it’s about consumer safety. “These standards aren’t red tape; they’re about trust,” he said. “When Ugandan produce reaches European shelves, buyers should know it’s safe to eat.”

Many farmers struggle with outdated infrastructure, limited testing labs, and gaps in understanding EU requirements—issues that have kept Uganda’s export potential untapped. Dr. Joselin Gbemenou of CABI revealed alarming figures: between 2015 and 2024, over 700 shipments were rejected due to pests, and 300 more failed due to paperwork errors—most involving fruits and vegetables. “Fixing this could unlock $150 million in lost revenue,” he said.

The stakes are high. Europe buys 60% of Uganda’s fresh produce, worth €58 million in 2023 alone. Odrek Rwabwogo, an advisor to Uganda’s export council, warned that standards will keep rising: “Today it’s packaging rules—tomorrow it could be stricter pesticide limits. We must adapt faster.”

Agronomist Abdullatif Ocan urged farmers to prioritize soil testing, while Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Paul Mwambu vowed the project would succeed, despite hurdles like counterfeit seeds flooding local markets. “Failure isn’t an option,” he said. “This is Uganda’s chance to prove its quality.”

With the EU tightening deforestation rules but reaffirming its partnership, Uganda’s farmers now have both the means and the motivation to compete globally—if they can bridge the standards gap.’