IS UGANDA’S AGRICULTURE POWERING A NEW ERA OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IN 2026?
New government figures show Uganda’s agriculture sector is entering 2026 on a high, delivering record export earnings, rising GDP contribution, and large-scale investments in irrigation, mechanisation, and disease control. With coffee, cocoa, dairy, and fisheries driving growth, agriculture is increasingly shaping Uganda’s path toward inclusive economic transformation.
BY STEPHEN MUNTU | JANUARY 22, 2026
Uganda has opened 2026 with one of the strongest agricultural performances in its history, underpinned by record export earnings, expanded irrigation, large-scale disease control, and rising productivity across key value chains. New figures released today signal a sector that is no longer defined by subsistence, but by scale, resilience, and export competitiveness.
Announcing the results in Kampala, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries reported that agricultural exports surged to USD 4.175 billion in FY 2024/25, up from USD 1.661 billion in FY 2020/21. Agriculture now accounts for nearly 38.5 percent of Uganda’s total exports and contributes 26.1 percent to GDP, with sector growth recorded at 6.6 percent.
The figures underline agriculture’s central role in the national economy. About 70 percent of Uganda’s households, representing 7.12 million out of 10.8 million households, are engaged in agriculture, making the sector the country’s single largest source of livelihoods, jobs, and rural incomes.
Speaking on the milestones, Permanent Secretary Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama framed the results as the outcome of deliberate and long-term strategy.
“These results reflect a clear strategic choice. Agriculture is more than a sector, it is the soul of our nation. It feeds families, sustains livelihoods, drives exports, industrialisation and job creation. By raising productivity, protecting farmers from disease, expanding irrigation, strengthening value addition and opening new markets, we are positioning agriculture as a powerful engine for household wealth creation and national transformation.”
Coffee emerged as the most outstanding success story. Production rose to 9.3 million bags in FY 2024/25, generating a record USD 2.2 billion in export earnings from 8.2 million bags, the strongest performance since records began. Coffee alone accounted for about 22 percent of Uganda’s total exports and supported incomes for an estimated 12.5 million people. Government interventions included the stumping of over 15 million unproductive trees, distribution of more than 85 million seedlings nationwide, rollout of disease-resistant varieties, and large-scale farmer training to protect quality and competitiveness.
Cocoa followed closely, becoming the second-largest agricultural export in FY 2024/25. Export values jumped nearly nine-fold over the past decade to USD 620 million, while production rose sharply to over 76,000 metric tonnes. Dairy production nearly doubled to 5.3 billion litres, tripling export earnings to USD 280 million, supported by expanded processing capacity, improved breeds, and strengthened quality enforcement.
Beyond exports, structural investments reshaped production systems. Government delivered more than 1,080 four-wheel tractors, over 1,350 power tillers, and trained more than 2,000 operators and technicians. Large- and medium-scale irrigation schemes added over 3,500 hectares under formal irrigation, while 600 valley tanks, solar-powered irrigation systems, and thousands of micro-irrigation facilities boosted climate resilience and water access nationwide.
Disease control marked a historic shift. Over 53 million doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine were procured, the largest single investment of its kind, alongside expanded cold-chain infrastructure and the rollout of solar-powered storage facilities in more than 50 districts. Plans for local anti-tick vaccine manufacturing are expected to cut annual livestock losses estimated at USD 1.1 billion and unlock access to a regional meat and dairy market valued at over UGX 3 trillion.
Looking ahead to 2026–2031, government commitments point to deeper agro-industrialisation, expanded irrigation, stronger standards and certification, improved access to fertilisers, and the establishment of a National Marketing Company to champion Ugandan commodities regionally and globally.
Taken together, the numbers tell a clear story. Uganda’s agriculture sector is no longer only a buffer against poverty. It is emerging as a strategic driver of exports, industrial growth, and inclusive prosperity. The challenge now is sustaining momentum, managing climate risks, and ensuring that productivity gains continue translating into durable wealth for households across the country.
