04.20.2026
Power for Food Partnership launches in Uganda
SNV Uganda, partner organisations, and government ministries gathered in Kampala on 2 December 2025 to formally launch the Power for Food Partnership in Uganda. The coalition bringing the initiative to life spans government, civil society, private sector, research, and media: Advocacy Coalition for Sustainable Agriculture (ACSA), African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU), National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM Uganda), and Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA).
Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda's economy, contributing about 25 percent of GDP and employing 65 to 70 percent of the population. Yet productivity is held back by soil degradation, climate shocks, high post-harvest losses, and limited access to energy-enabled irrigation, processing, and storage. At the same time, Uganda is home to one of the world's largest communities of organic farmers, a significant advantage as global markets shift towards sustainable, high-value production. Harnessing that potential requires bridging agriculture and energy systems that have, until now, worked largely in parallel.
The Power for Food Partnership Uganda Programme does exactly that. By linking regenerative agriculture (RA) with productive use of renewable energy (PURE), the programme supports smallholder farmers and small and medium enterprises in adopting integrated solutions that restore soils, reduce losses, and increase incomes. The launch at Mestil Hotel and Residences, Nsambya, was attended by 229 participants representing national and local government, development partners, private sector actors, research institutions, civil society, farmer organisations, and financial institutions, signalling strong momentum for coordinated action between 2025 and 2029.
When soils are restored and landscapes regenerated, and when energy powers irrigation, storage and value addition, we unlock higher productivity, reduced losses, and increased farmers' incomes and resilience. This creates a virtuous cycle that benefits households, markets, and the environment.
Megan Ritchie, Country Director, SNV Uganda
Uganda’s farmers and agri-enterprises are already experiencing the effects of unpredictable climate patterns, rising production costs, post-harvest losses, and persistent energy access constraints. Power for Food is designed to respond to these linked pressures by connecting RA and PURE in practical, market-facing ways: supporting healthier soils and water-smart practices while enabling cleaner and more reliable energy for irrigation, cooling, storage and processing. The Partnership in Uganda also focuses on strengthening value-chain institutions, aligning policy and coordination across sectors, and unlocking investment pathways so that solutions can scale sustainably.
Government leaders strongly signalled the Partnership's national relevance. In the Chief Guest Address, Julius Twinamasiko (Commissioner, MAAIF), speaking on behalf of Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, State Minister for Agriculture, welcomed the initiative as aligned with Uganda’s priorities and emphasised the value of integrated approaches across the value chain and noted:
By linking food and energy systems, this Partnership unlocks efficiencies that will drive sustainable transformation. The Government of Uganda stands ready to support, align, and collaborate to ensure its success.
Julius Twinamasiko, Commissioner, MAAIF, on behalf of Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, State Minister for Agriculture
The launch also featured a high-level panel discussion on the topic "Powering Resilient Food Systems: Catalysing Partnerships for the RA-PURE Nexus in Uganda," moderated by Dr Nicholas Mukisa, Deputy National Coordinator of the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP). Panellists included representatives from GOGLA, MAAIF, MEMD, the Uganda Investment Authority, and the Africa Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (ACSA), reflecting the breadth of the coalition behind the Partnership.
Uganda is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. With one of the world's largest communities of organic farmers, strong government commitment through MAAIF and MEMD, and a growing ecosystem of energy and agriculture innovators, the country has the foundations to show what a truly integrated, locally led food and energy system can look like. The Power for Food Partnership will work alongside Ugandan partners, farmers, and enterprises to turn that potential into lasting, measurable change.
Watch the full live stream recording of the launch event and hear directly from our partners here.