Mr. Song and Dr. Ssegawa exchanging signed MOUs
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) to enhance Uganda’s agricultural capacity through the development of post-harvest handling infrastructure, small-scale irrigation systems, and agricultural mechanisation.
The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening Uganda’s food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers.
The MOU was signed during a formal ceremony in Kampala attended by senior government officials and CCCC representatives. Speaking on behalf of Uganda, Mr. Ronald Segawa Gyagenda, the Acting Permanent Secretary of MAAIF, underscored the importance of the partnership. He emphasised that the agreement represents a commitment to reducing the substantial losses incurred by farmers due to inadequate post-harvest handling and storage facilities.
“A significant percentage of food produced in Uganda is lost after harvest due to poor handling, storage, and processing. This is an issue that has plagued our farmers for too long,” Gyagenda said. “We welcome every partner with innovative solutions to address these challenges, and this MOU is a testament to our commitment to finding sustainable, long-term solutions.”
The initiative, Gyagenda noted, will enable Uganda to leverage modern agricultural technologies aimed at improving productivity, stabilising food prices, and safeguarding food security. He highlighted that the feasibility study arising from this MOU will guide the government in making informed decisions on the implementation of these critical projects.
CCCC, a prominent global player in infrastructure development, has operated in Uganda for nearly three decades. In his remarks, Mr. Hailiang Song, President of CCCC, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, reiterating the company’s long-standing commitment to Uganda’s development.
“Uganda has immense agricultural potential, and under the leadership of President Museveni, the country has made remarkable progress in achieving political stability and economic growth,” Song said. “We are proud to support Uganda in advancing its agricultural sector by focusing on warehousing, irrigation, and food processing.”
Song highlighted Uganda’s lack of adequate food storage facilities as a critical issue affecting the sector, which the partnership aims to address through the construction of modern warehousing infrastructure. “Warehousing is not just an important initiative; it is critical for Uganda’s future,” he remarked, noting that such facilities would play a vital role in stabilising food prices and ensuring that farmers have better access to markets.
In addition to post-harvest handling, the MOU also seeks to bolster Uganda’s resilience to climate change by expanding access to small-scale irrigation systems. With erratic weather patterns affecting farmers across the country, irrigation has become a priority for both the government and its partners. Gyagenda stressed that improved water management is crucial to ensuring agricultural sustainability in the face of growing climate unpredictability.
“We are seeing periods of too much rain followed by prolonged drought. By harvesting and managing water efficiently, we can ensure our farmers have access to water when they need it most,” Gyagenda explained. “This MOU signals our commitment to addressing these challenges and providing farmers with practical solutions.”
Both parties emphasised the importance of adapting new technologies to Uganda’s specific needs and conditions. Gyagenda assured that the government would support the testing and adaptation of any new machinery before deployment to ensure its suitability for the country’s unique agricultural landscape.
Song reaffirmed CCCC’s dedication to Uganda, saying, “Our expertise in irrigation and agricultural processing will contribute to the sustainable development of Uganda’s agricultural sector. We are keen to collaborate across the entire agricultural value chain, from planting to processing and storage.”
The MOU builds on previous discussions between Uganda and China aimed at fostering agricultural cooperation. It follows a series of high-level meetings, including a visit by Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture to CCCC’s offices in China during the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in July 2021.
The signing of the MOU represents a key milestone in the longstanding partnership between Uganda and China. Both Gyagenda and Song expressed optimism about the future, with Song noting that the collaboration has the potential to significantly boost agricultural productivity in Uganda.
“The signing of today’s MOU is just the beginning of our journey together,” Song said. “We look forward to deepening our cooperation and exploring more opportunities in the future.”
The partnership comes at a critical time as Uganda seeks to modernise its agricultural sector and support the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. By addressing post-harvest losses, enhancing irrigation systems, and facilitating access to modern technologies, the collaboration is expected to have a lasting impact on the country’s agricultural development.
