A document circulating on social media and WhatsApp claims to be an “Expression of Interest: Agriculture Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Initiative 2025” issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
The notice promises support to farmers and agricultural SMEs, including access to funds, post-harvest equipment, and market opportunities, and directs applicants to scan a QR code before a supposed deadline of 5th September 2025.
The notice alleges that the initiative, funded by the Ministry in partnership with international organisations, will help SMEs and farmers increase productivity, add value to exports, and access markets.
It suggests that intended beneficiaries include agro-processors, exporters, input suppliers, and traders, and bears the name of Hon. Frank K. Tumwebaze, MP, the current Minister of Agriculture.
However, this notice is fake and linked to fraudulent activity. Here’s why:
No official announcement: A review of MAAIF’s official website and verified social media accounts shows no such call for applications. Genuine government programmes are always published on these platforms and often reported by mainstream media.
Formatting errors: The document repeatedly misuses “SME’s” instead of “SMEs” and lists the deadline as “05th September 2025,” which is inconsistent with standard government communication styles.
Suspicious QR code: The notice directs recipients to scan a QR code rather than providing an official link or portal. This is a common tactic in online scams to harvest personal information.
Unrealistic promises: It broadly guarantees funding, equipment, and export support without specifying budgets, eligibility criteria, or detailed procedures, which is highly unusual for legitimate government programmes.
Misuse of Minister’s name: While Hon. Frank Tumwebaze is indeed the current Minister, there is no record of him issuing this call. Fraudsters often use real officials’ names to lend credibility to fake notices.
Such fraudulent notices exploit farmers’ and entrepreneurs’ hopes of accessing government support. Scanning the QR code or sharing personal details could expose applicants to identity theft or financial scams.
The “Agriculture SMEs Initiative 2025” notice is fake. It did not originate from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. Do not scan the QR code or share personal information.
Always verify opportunities through the official MAAIF website or the Ministry’s verified social media channels.
