By John Okello Lapok
Stakeholders in Uganda’s avocado value chain have held discussions with government officials on measures to address challenges affecting production, value addition, and access to international markets.
The engagement, held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, brought together farmers, exporters, processors, government agencies, and other key players to discuss ways of strengthening the avocado industry and ensuring that all actors benefit from the growing global demand for avocado products.
Representing Col. Edith Nakalema, head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Stephen Kaheru commended the Ministry of Agriculture and other government agencies for supporting efforts to resolve concerns affecting investors in the sector.
He said the engagement demonstrated a shared commitment towards transforming the avocado value chain into a driver of economic growth and improved livelihoods.
He noted that the meeting was critical in addressing barriers preventing exporters and other players from fully tapping into the potential of the sector.
“We are here to collectively address the concerns that hinder us as farmers and exporters from realizing the full potential of this value chain as a catalyst for rural transformation,” he said.
Kaheru emphasized that cooperation among government ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector players would be key to achieving sustainable results.
He expressed optimism that the discussions would lead to practical solutions that allow investors to realize returns on their investments while benefiting all actors in the value chain.
The Commissioner of External Trade, Cleopas Ndorere, who represented the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives (MTIC) Lynette Bagonza, welcomed stakeholders and said the government was committed to supporting the growth of the avocado industry.
Ndorere thanked Col. Nakalema for drawing attention to the sector and bringing together stakeholders to discuss challenges affecting the industry.
He encouraged participants to openly share challenges affecting production, quality standards, markets, and value addition to guide government policy interventions.
“We want to ensure that farmers, exporters, and other players are supported to promote quality production, value addition, and market access,” Ndorere said.
Peter Dhamuzungu, who represented, Maj. Gen(Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said government recognizes the growing importance of avocado as an emerging commercial crop and is committed to working with stakeholders to address challenges affecting the value chain.
He said the discussions provided an opportunity for farmers, exporters, processors, and other actors to share concerns and propose solutions that will improve production, quality standards, and market access.
“We are here to listen to the different players in the value chain so that interventions are informed by the realities on the ground,” Dhamuzungu said.
The Board Chairperson of the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA), Victoria Sekitoleko, traced the growth of avocado sector discussions, saying the industry had come a long way from small stakeholder meetings.
She thanked farmers and sector players who remained committed despite limited resources during the early stages.
Sekitoleko called for greater involvement of relevant government agencies, especially those responsible for cooperatives, industry, standards, and export promotion.
She said the growth of avocado as an emerging commercial crop required a deliberate strategy and stronger coordination.
“Avocado is a new crop, so we are going to need new policies and a strategy for avocado,” Sekitoleko said.
She urged the government to work closely with stakeholders on international market trends, noting that Uganda needed to position itself competitively in global markets.
