TechnoServe FFV Symposium: Advancing Uganda’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector
From L-R MAAIF Inspector Brenda Kisingiri, Prof Archileo Kaaya(UNBS), Hortifresh Chairperson Sam Balagadde, Edward Kizza(UNBS) and Event Moderator Fortunate Kwiringira
On 14th May 2025, TechnoServe Uganda in collaboration with HortiFresh Association hosted a symposium at Protea Skyz Hotel Naguru, bringing together key stakeholders to address critical issues facing Uganda’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFV) sector. Moderated by Fortunate Kwiringira, the event served as a platform for discussions on food safety, taxation, packaging regulations, and market growth, with participation from government officials and industry stakeholders.
The event opened with remarks from TechnoServe, where Regina Namayanja, representing the TechnoServe Director, expressed gratitude to academia, HortiFresh, and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) for their collaborative efforts, emphasizing TechnoServe’s commitment to working alongside these key partners to drive sector transformation.
In his remarks, HortiFresh Executive Director, Fred Zake emphasized the need for stronger public-private partnerships to advance Uganda’s agricultural sector. He highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration, particularly between the FFV industry and complementary sub-sectors like flowers and vanilla, to drive inclusive growth.
Micheal Owino, HortiFresh Board Member and CEO of Tropical Dynasty, made a compelling case for FFV to be considered one of Uganda’s priority sectors, noting that despite ranking 7th in national exports, the sector receives disproportionately low support.
A panel discussion featuring representatives from HortiFresh, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAAIF), academia and UNBS explored critical sector issues. Key topics included:
- Current measures to protect both consumers and markets
- Regulatory requirements for quality assurance
- Strategies for improving compliance with international standards
Brenda Kisingiri (UNBS) and Prof. Kaya Archileo (food scientist) examined various challenges in meeting international standards, touching on aspects including food safety protocols and quality management systems and the role of regulatory bodies.
Taxation emerged as a pressing concern, with Juma Buli of URA providing a comprehensive overview of the tax landscape affecting the FFV sector. Discussions centred on tax classifications for packaging materials, which often lead to increased operational costs. Participants urged clearer guidelines and incentives for local producers to foster industry growth.
The afternoon sessions delved into market-specific insights, with Zununa Tibenda, Zunie Agri-Consultancy and Florence Nakitto of the COMESA-EAC Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA) presenting fact sheets on chili and avocado value chains.
The event not only highlighted the sector’s challenges but also showcased its potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and food security.
