Uganda’s grain sector stakeholders have called for greater focus on quality assurance, structured trading systems and stronger regional collaboration to unlock the country’s export potential and improve farmers’ incomes.
The call was made during the East African Grain Council (EAGC) Members and Stakeholders Networking Forum held at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday under the theme, "Promoting Members' Competitiveness of the Grain Sector to Both the Local and Export Market."
Speaking at the event, EAGC Country Director Herbert Kyeyamwa said Uganda’s grain sector can only remain competitive if players consistently produce grain that meets regional and international quality standards.
"Competitiveness is no longer about production alone. It is about our ability to consistently deliver safe, quality and market-ready grain that meets regional and international market requirements," Kyeyamwa said.
He noted that for more than two decades, EAGC has worked with governments, development partners and the private sector to transform grain markets through structured trading systems.
"Across the region, the East African Grain Council has established itself as a strategic partner in facilitating market systems development. Through our presence in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Burundi, we continue to facilitate regional grain trade," he said.
Kyeyamwa highlighted initiatives such as Grain Business Hubs, digital trading platforms and the Council’s inspection services, saying they have strengthened market linkages and improved efficiency across the grain value chain.
However, he warned that aflatoxin contamination remains a major threat to Uganda’s grain exports and food safety.
"Aflatoxin contamination remains one of the greatest threats to food safety, public health and export competitiveness," he said.
Kyeyamwa said investments in proper post-harvest handling, warehouse management, testing, certification and continuous capacity building are critical if Uganda is to compete effectively in regional and international markets.
In a message delivered by Commissioner for Production and Infrastructure Namanya Naboth, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Edith Mwanje, said regional integration provides significant opportunities for Ugandan businesses, but success depends on competitiveness.
"Regional integration is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end of expanding markets, facilitating trade, attracting investment and creating opportunities for enterprises to grow beyond national borders," Mwanje said.
She noted that Uganda has access to vast markets through the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), but businesses must meet required quality standards to benefit.
"Our businesses must be competitive, compliant and market-ready. Competitiveness today goes beyond increasing production. It requires businesses to consistently meet quality standards, embrace structured trading systems and comply with regional regulations," she said.
Mwanje commended EAGC for promoting value addition, policy dialogue, digital trading platforms and market information systems aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in grain trade.
She added that government remains committed to eliminating non-tariff barriers, harmonising standards and improving cross-border trade procedures to reduce the cost of doing business.
Meanwhile, EAGC Country Programs Manager Paul Ochuna said Uganda’s position as a surplus grain producer presents significant opportunities if quality challenges are addressed.
"There is a lot of potential in the grain sector because Uganda is a surplus-producing country. However, we still face challenges because of poor grain handling," Ochuna said.
He explained that EAGC has established Grain Business Hubs that organise smallholder farmers into commercial enterprises, helping them aggregate produce, improve quality and access better markets.
Ochuna also highlighted the G-Soko Trading System, a digital platform that connects grain suppliers with buyers across the region.
"Once we have grains that meet quality requirements, we have successfully supported grain traders to export to regional markets," he said.
He explained that EAGC facilitates structured trade through contracts, escrow payment systems, quality inspections and coordinated transport, reducing risks for both buyers and sellers.
Despite these interventions, Ochuna said quality remains the biggest challenge facing the grain sector.
"The issue of quality is still a big problem in the grain trade sector. There is a lot of contamination simply because many smallholder farmers do not have the required tools," he said.
Also speaking at the forum, David Baziwaane, Partnerships and Ecosystem Development Specialist at Enterprise Uganda, said empowering farmers with business skills is essential to building a competitive grain sector.
"We believe farming is a business. Farmers need business development services so they can manage their farms as enterprises and become competitive and resilient," Baziwaane said.
He said Enterprise Uganda is working to transform the mindset of smallholder farmers and cooperatives by equipping them with entrepreneurship and business management skills.
Baziwaane also called for greater harmonisation of standards across the East African Community, saying inconsistent enforcement affects regional trade.
"There should be more harmonisation pushed at government level so that if a farmer meets the required aflatoxin standards in Uganda, they should not face different standards at the border. Farmers are hardworking; show them what to do and they will do it," he said.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that improving grain quality, strengthening structured trade systems, embracing digital market platforms and harmonising regional standards will be critical to making Uganda’s grain sector more competitive in domestic and export markets.
