The government has intensified efforts to expand Uganda’s grain export market as part of its wider plan to grow exports and strengthen agro-industrial production.
Speaking during a meeting with private sector stakeholders on off-take opportunities for grain commodities, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury at the finance ministry, Ramathan Ggoobi, said the government wants exports to rise from 12 per cent to 50 per cent of Gross Domestic Product under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Ggoobi said the target will partly depend on increasing the export value of agro-industrial products to $20 billion.
He added that the government also wants manufacturing’s share of exports to rise from 16 per cent to 20 per cent. The plan further seeks to increase the share of medium and high-tech manufactured exports from 21 per cent to 50 per cent.
“As part of the effort to boost the knowledge content of the ATMS, there is need for processing of agriculture commodities into finished goods that meet global market standards,” Ggoobi said.
He said Uganda must strengthen value addition if it is to compete in international markets and sustain industrial growth.
Ggoobi said the government is also working on a mechanism to ensure steady production and supply of raw materials needed by local manufacturers.
He noted that the government has already channelled significant funding into agriculture through the Parish Revolving Fund.
According to Ggoobi, the programme had disbursed Shs 3.78 trillion to 3.7 million beneficiaries by April 2026.
He said many beneficiaries invested the money in livestock farming, including goats, beef cattle, dairy cattle and sheep.
Others invested in maize and cassava production, which provide raw materials used in the manufacture of animal feed for livestock and fish.
The government has also partnered with the Grain Council of Uganda, Pearl Bank, Pride Bank and Housing Finance Bank to establish a Shs 176 billion Large Scale Commercial Farmers Facility.
The facility will provide subsidised loans to large-scale farmers producing maize, beans, sorghum and animal fodder.
Officials believe the financing programme will increase grain production, improve supply chains and support Uganda’s export ambitions.
businessUganda Targets $20 Billion Export Milestone via Grain Sector
Uganda's government aims to increase agro-industrial exports to $20 billion under the Tenfold Growth Strategy. PSST Ramathan Ggoobi says the plan focuses on value addition, grain processing, and subsidized loans for commercial farmers to boost the country's GDP contribution.
