Spotlight

Uganda Hosts High-Level Policy Dialogue on Domestication of CAADP Kampala Declaration

Amiri Wabusimba

Kampala, Uganda

Kampala, Uganda – Uganda hosted a three-day High-Level Policy Dialogue on the domestication and implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration and the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035, bringing together senior government officials, the African Union Commission, development partners and representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to translate continental commitments into national action, investment and measurable development outcomes.

The dialogue, held from 9–11 September 2026, followed Uganda’s hosting of the Extraordinary African Union Summit in January 2025, which adopted the Kampala CAADP Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Africa alongside the continental Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035. Opening the engagement, Hon. Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, State Minister for Animal Industry, said Uganda’s central task was to convert its agricultural potential into higher household incomes, employment, food and nutrition security, competitive agro-industries, increased exports and resilient livelihoods.

He stressed that implementation would build on existing national frameworks rather than create a parallel policy architecture, noting that Uganda’s approach was anchored in Uganda Vision 2040, NDP IV, the NRM Manifesto 2026–2031 and the Agro-Industrialisation Programme Implementation Action Plan. “The task is to translate Uganda’s agricultural potential into higher household incomes, employment, food and nutrition security, competitive agro-industries and increased exports,” Minister Rwamirama said. He highlighted quality seed and planting materials, mechanisation, irrigation, sustainable land management, post-harvest handling, value addition, quality assurance, disease control, fisheries, commercial farming partnerships and stronger agricultural extension as key areas requiring accelerated implementation.

Hon. Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, emphasised that agricultural transformation had to move beyond production towards processing, value addition, branding, market positioning and export development. “We must move from production to agro-processing, value addition, branding and export development,” Minister Tanna said, pointing to opportunities in milk, coffee, tea, honey, shea butter and fruit value chains.

The discussions consequently positioned agriculture as an important pillar of Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy, with diplomatic missions expected to contribute through market intelligence, investment promotion, commercial linkages and identification of international buyers and strategic partners. The approach also reinforced the 4ATMS framework Agriculture, Tourism, Minerals, and Science, Technology and Innovation as a platform for Uganda’s international economic engagement.

H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, called for a shift from continental commitments to implementation and measurable results. He highlighted productivity, food security, investment, irrigation, processing, markets, intra-African trade and youth employment as areas requiring practical action and investment at scale. “We must move from commitments to implementation and measurable results,” Commissioner Vilakati said, stressing the need for bankable projects, stronger partnerships and coordinated action.

Commissioner Vilakati also paid a courtesy call on Hon. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, who reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to supporting farmers across the value chain and strengthening regional agricultural trade. “Uganda remains committed to supporting farmers from the grassroots to export markets,” Minister Kasolo said, emphasising improved market access, movement of agricultural products and stronger cooperation between Uganda and the African Union.

Representing H.E. Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, Minister Counsellor Margreet Kafeero highlighted the relevance of the engagement to the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy mandate. “The Commissioner’s interventions around the 4ATMS and Economic and Commercial Diplomacy strengthen the role of Uganda’s Mission in Addis Ababa in connecting Uganda’s productive sectors to continental and international markets,” Kafeero noted.

The engagement concluded with a field visit to the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), including the National Crop Resources Research Institute at Namulonge and the National Livestock Resources Research Institute at Nakyesasa. The visit showcased Uganda’s agricultural research, innovation and technology capabilities and highlighted opportunities for partnerships in research, technology transfer, skills development and commercialisation.

Across the three days, the dialogue reinforced the importance of connecting agricultural production with investment, value addition, technology, finance, regional trade and global markets. It also underscored the role of Uganda’s diplomatic missions in advancing market access, investment partnerships and international cooperation.

The engagement concluded with a shared emphasis on moving from commitment to implementation, from implementation to measurable results, and from results to improved livelihoods, positioning the CAADP Kampala Declaration as an opportunity to align agriculture, trade, investment, science and technology, regional cooperation and diplomacy around Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda.