The Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, has presided over the handover of vehicles and motorcycles to districts under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP), in a move aimed at strengthening service delivery to farmers and boosting agricultural productivity.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on April 21, 2026, Alupo said the newly distributed assets will improve mobility for extension workers and technical teams, enabling them to reach farmers more efficiently and provide timely support.
She noted that the initiative is part of government efforts to accelerate the transition to climate-smart agriculture, enhance the implementation of agricultural programmes, and strengthen accountability in the use of public resources.
Alupo commended the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for its continued commitment to transforming the sector, emphasizing agriculture’s central role in employment, exports, and income generation.
She highlighted that Uganda is currently Africa’s leading coffee exporter, earning approximately USD 2.4 billion over the past 12 months—an achievement she said reflects improving household incomes among farmers.
The Vice President also applauded the World Bank for its financial and technical support, noting that its contribution continues to generate positive spillover effects in sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality, and services.
She further praised district leaders and technical teams for progress made in implementing the project, particularly in beneficiary mobilization, capacity building, and the rollout of the e-voucher system.
Alupo underscored the importance of accountability, urging beneficiaries to ensure that the vehicles and motorcycles are used strictly for official duties, properly maintained, and safeguarded as public assets.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to the successful implementation of UCSATP and called for stronger coordination among stakeholders to fast-track project activities and achieve set objectives. She also appealed to the World Bank to sustain its support, including fast-tracking the AgriConnect programme to unlock further investment in mechanization, irrigation, value addition, and market access.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, said the government’s partnership with the World Bank under UCSATP is beginning to address long-standing challenges that have hindered agricultural transformation in the country.
Tumwebaze identified key bottlenecks, including limited mechanization, inadequate water for production, weak disease control systems, insufficient research infrastructure for seeds and breeding stock, poor market access due to road constraints, and gaps in extension services.
He described the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles as a significant step toward strengthening agricultural extension, which he said is a critical driver of productivity.
“An effective extension system requires well-deployed personnel equipped with the right tools, mobility, and knowledge to support farmers,” he noted.
The minister also called on district leaders, particularly Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), to ensure the resources are used effectively.
“Let us guarantee value for money by ensuring these tools serve their intended purpose of improving access to extension services,” Tumwebaze said, urging local leaders to closely monitor extension workers and ensure they actively engage farmers.
