The Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL), a subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited focused on enterprise development, has launched a six-month capacity-building programme aimed at skilling 30 commercial horticulture farmers in the districts of Hoima, Kikuube, and Buliisa.
The Albertine Agribusiness Development Programme (ADP), which was launched at Entuiga Cottages in Hoima, is being implemented in partnership with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
SBIL Chief Executive Catherine Poran said the programme seeks to enhance the skills of farmers, particularly in relation to opportunities within the oil and gas industry as suppliers of fresh produce.
She said, “The initiative aims to transform agriculture in Uganda’s Albertine region by improving productivity, sustainability, and market access.”
“During the six months, our training will focus on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), climate-smart farming, and agribusiness. We also aim to improve market linkages by connecting farmers with buyers in the oil and gas sector,” Poran explained.
The training sessions will include site visits, providing selected farmers with practical insights to strengthen their technical knowledge, as well as enhancing their financial literacy to better manage their enterprises.
Poran added, “Farmers will receive guidance on quality standards and financial products available through Stanbic Bank. This initiative reflects the Stanbic Business Incubator’s commitment to fostering sustainable agribusiness growth. We are integrating local farmers into broader economic value chains, with a focus on supporting women, youth, and farmers while driving Uganda’s economic growth.”
She also highlighted persistent challenges faced by farmers, including limited access to modern farming techniques, inadequate financial services, unreliable market connections, and low levels of business and financial literacy.
“The ADP addresses these issues by equipping both smallholder and commercial farmers with the tools, knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices, and market access needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. We aim to enhance productivity, sustainability, and financial inclusion,” she said.
Peter Bintu, the Head of National Content at UNOC, said, “This programme will play a strategic role in impacting communities. We hope that the beneficiaries will share the knowledge and skills they acquire, ultimately impacting at least 300 smallholder farmers. Sharing knowledge enhances skills in a collaborative environment.”
Speaking on behalf of Bunyoro Kingdom, Moses Atuha urged farmers to adopt organic farming practices and avoid genetically modified foods, which he said come with many challenges. He also called for government investment in agricultural mechanisation to support large-scale farming efforts.
Khadijah Nyaketcho, a beneficiary of the programme, highlighted the importance of collective action among farmers saying, “When working together, we increase our bargaining power. Individual farmers are often exploited by middlemen, who offer minimal returns for their products because they lack support to negotiate better prices.”
Dr. Charles Kajura, the District Production Officer (DPO) of Hoima district, said there is a need for a regulated supply chain system, which would help farmers overcome exploitation challenges, particularly from middlemen.
“How can our small farmers deliver their produce to suppliers? We need to develop an aggregation system for production. Suppliers often deal in large volumes and require consistency. We also need to address commodity pricing; many farmers have complained about receiving very low offers. The government cannot solely rely on processors and suppliers for this; we need to intervene and regulate this aspect,” Dr. Kajura said.
