KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness.
Dr. Kisanja brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as Private Secretary to the President, overseeing youth affairs, agriculture, value addition, innovation, and export promotion in the State House.
As an advocate of Pan-Africanism, patriotism, youth empowerment, social, economic development, and entrepreneurship programs, Dr. Kisanja has a strong track record of promoting sustainable agriculture and economic growth. He is the founder and chairman of the Uganda Youth Innovation Centre and Export Market.
Dr. Kisanja’s leadership career spans various roles, including National Youth Leader in the Uganda Youth Platform, a non-partisan group focused on youth and women’s social and economic empowerment. He also serves as Deputy to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, critical docket in State House.
Dr. Kisanja now joins President Museveni’s top inner circle of advisors, including Gen. Salim Saleh (Defense and Security), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba (in charge of Special Operations), Mosese Byaruhanga (in charge of political mobilization), Gen. Abel Kandiho (in charge of classified operations) Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso (ncharge of Security and Defense), and Hajjati Janat Mukwaya (in charge of special duties).
In his new role, Dr. Kisanja will advise the President on agribusiness matters, develop and implement policies to promote agribusiness growth, and collaborate with government agencies and stakeholders. His appointment is expected to boost Uganda’s agricultural sector, creating jobs and driving economic growth among the women and youth.
Agribusiness plays a vital role in Uganda’s economy, providing food, fiber, and biofuels, and supporting rural development and employment. However, the sector faces challenges, including limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, low productivity, market fluctuations, climate change, and limited value addition.
To address these challenges, Dr. Kisanja will support farmers in transitioning from micro and macro-farming, deal with counterfeit threats, and support market linkages.
He will also support startups in value addition and cottage industries, advocate for low-cost finance, invest in storage facilities, promote technology adoption, and enhance productivity.
Several initiatives will support youth in agribusiness, including agricultural training programs, youth-led agribusiness incubators, mentorship programs, access to finance initiatives, digital agriculture platforms, youth-focused agricultural policies, education programs, and youth agribusiness competitions and awards.
Experts believe agribusinesses can improve youth retention rates by offering competitive benefits, providing opportunities for growth and development, creating a positive work environment, promoting work-life balance, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, developing mentorship programs and offering flexible work arrangements.
Dr. Kisanja has addressed various topics, including social-economic transformation, national governance, mindset change, and Uganda’s industrialization policies. He has presented at local and international forums in countries such as the USA, Germany, Turkey, Lebanon, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Kisanja also serves as National Chairman of the Uganda Sustainable Agricultural Support Organization, promoting sustainable agriculture for improved livelihoods in Uganda. Additionally, he coordinates SMEs focused on creating Uganda’s social-economic transformation through job creation and industrialization.
Currently, Dr. Kisanja is a lecturer at Nkumba University, Victoria University and Vice Chancellor of ESLASCA International Business School.
He is also the Head of the Special Duties office to President Museveni, responsible for mobilizing ghetto youth, skilling the girl and boychild initiative, artisans, informal sectorincluding Taxi operators, boda bodas, makerts and fishing communities.
He also handles other presidential special assignments.
