Africa-Press – Uganda. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija, has expressed government’s gratitude to the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario, for the institution’s sustained support to Uganda’s agricultural transformation and rural development agenda.
During a bilateral meeting held in Rome, Italy, Kasaija commended IFAD for its longstanding partnership with Uganda, particularly highlighting the recent approval of Shs 370 billion (USD 100 million) by the IFAD Executive Board in December 2025.
The financing will support the expansion of the National Oil Palm Project to new districts in the Busoga sub-region of Eastern Uganda, a move expected to significantly boost household incomes, create employment opportunities, and enhance agro-industrial development.
Since 1981, government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development have successfully partnered in the implementation of 19 projects, with total IFAD financing amounting to approximately Shs 2.44 trillion (USD 659.3 million).
Through this collaboration, IFAD has played a pivotal role in increasing incomes of rural households living in poverty, strengthening food security, and reducing vulnerability among smallholder farmers.
Kasaija noted that IFAD’s interventions have consistently aligned with Uganda’s national development priorities and have contributed significantly to inclusive economic growth, particularly in rural communities where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods.
Uganda and IFAD are currently implementing the 2021–2027 Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP), which was jointly formulated and is fully aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plans, IFAD’s corporate priorities, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
The COSOP focuses on improving agricultural productivity, market access, value addition, climate resilience, and financial inclusion for rural communities.
The Government of Uganda and the International Fund for Agricultural Development are currently implementing three major public sector projects aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity and rural incomes. These include the National Oilseeds Project (NOSP) (2019–2028), supported with approximately Shs 368.4 billion (USD 99.56 million); the National Oil Palm Project (NOPP) (2018–2029), financed with about Shs 284.9 billion (USD 77 million); and the Resilient Livestock Value Chain Project (ReLIV) (2024–2033), backed by roughly Shs 368.6 billion (USD 99.57 million).
These projects are designed to enhance productivity, strengthen value chains, improve access to markets, and build resilience among farmers against climate and economic shocks.
During the meeting, IFAD President Alvaro Lario reaffirmed IFAD’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s agricultural development agenda.
He emphasized the importance of timely and efficient implementation of ongoing projects to ensure maximum impact on rural livelihoods.
He also encouraged the implementing agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, to fast-track project execution in order to accelerate socio-economic transformation in targeted communities.
