Government has intensified engagement with private sector stakeholders on off-take opportunities for grain commodities as part of efforts to achieve the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Speaking during a meeting with private sector stakeholders on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, said government is targeting an increase in exports from 12 percent to 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Ggoobi said the target will partly be achieved by increasing the export value of agro-industrial products to USD20 billion, raising manufacturing’s share of exports from 16 percent to 20 percent, and doubling the composition of medium and high-tech products in manufactured exports from 21 percent to 50 percent.
The meeting focused on off-take opportunities for grain commodities in Uganda and the role of agro-industrialisation in supporting the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.
“As part of the effort to boost the knowledge content of the ATMS, there is need for processing agricultural commodities into finished goods that meet global market standards,” Ggoobi said.
He added that government is working towards establishing mechanisms to ensure adequate production and supply of raw materials needed to sustain manufacturing growth in the country.
Ggoobi also revealed that government, through the Parish Revolving Fund (PRF), had by April 2026 disbursed Shs3.78 trillion to about 3.7 million beneficiaries across the country.
According to him, many beneficiaries invested the funds in livestock production, including goats, beef cattle, dairy cattle and sheep, while others ventured into maize and cassava farming.
He noted that maize and cassava are among the key raw materials used in the manufacture of animal feed for livestock and fish production.
To further enhance agricultural production and commercialisation, government in partnership with the Grain Council of Uganda, Pearl Bank, Pride Bank and Housing Finance Bank has established a Shs176 billion Large Scale Commercial Farmers Facility.
The facility will provide subsidised loans to large-scale commercial farmers to support the production of maize, beans, sorghum and animal fodder.
Government says the initiative is expected to strengthen agro-industrial value chains, improve export competitiveness and increase the supply of raw materials for Uganda’s growing manufacturing sector.
