Kirunda Calls for Investment in Coffee, Cocoa Value Addition and Agro-Tourism to Drive Busoga’s Economic Transformation

By Draga Osman Brahan

JINJA, September 18, 2026 — The Special Presidential Assistant–Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Press Secretary to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, has called for increased investment in coffee and cocoa value addition and agro-tourism to create jobs for young people, raise household incomes and accelerate economic transformation in Busoga.

Alhaji Kirunda made the call in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Private Secretary in charge of Education and Skilling at State House, Mr. Jimmy Nambiro, during the inaugural Busoga Coffee and Cocoa Tourism Festival held at Jinja Showgrounds on Friday.

According to Alhaji Kirunda, Uganda must move beyond exporting raw materials by expanding local processing and manufacturing to enable farmers, entrepreneurs and communities to capture a greater share of the value generated from their products.

He urged stakeholders to improve farm-level productivity and quality, strengthen post-harvest handling, expand local processing and develop products capable of competing in domestic, regional and international markets. “How do we improve packaging, branding and standards? And, most importantly, how do we ensure that our farmers and local enterprises capture a greater share of the value created from the products they produce?” he asked.

Agro-Tourism Presents New Economic Opportunities Addressing the potential of agro-tourism, Alhaji Kirunda said Busoga’s agricultural, cultural and historical assets could be integrated to create new sources of income for local communities.

He proposed developing coffee and cocoa farms into tourism destinations where visitors can learn about agricultural production and processing, taste locally produced products, purchase locally made goods and experience Busoga’s cultural heritage. “When agriculture, culture, hospitality and tourism are connected, the economic value of the experience extends beyond the farm and creates opportunities for accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, guides, artisans, performers and other local businesses,” he said.

“These programmes must meet organised communities, capable entrepreneurs, farmers who are willing to commercialise, financial institutions prepared to invest, private companies ready to create markets and young people who are prepared to take advantage of emerging opportunities,” he said.

He called for stronger collaboration among Government, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, farmers, cooperatives and cultural institutions to create an environment where businesses can grow.

He also urged stakeholders to integrate environmental sustainability into agricultural and tourism development, emphasising the importance of land, soil, water, forests and wetlands as the productive foundation of the economy.

Ms. Mbwali said the festival brought together farmers, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, processors, exporters, investors, financial institutions, Government agencies, development partners and tourism actors to explore opportunities for wealth creation, value addition, employment, enterprise development and investment within Busoga’s coffee, cocoa and tourism economy.

The festival coordinator, Ms. Nababi Christine, commended partners for supporting the event. “We appreciate all our partners for allowing us to walk this journey with you. The Busoga Coffee and Cocoa Tourism Festival has started,” she said.

Ms. Nababi said the festival was organised to promote tourism and agriculture in Busoga, noting that the region is naturally endowed but needs to diversify its economic base. “People know Busoga because of sugarcane and rice, but we want to change that so that we are known for other lucrative products like coffee and cocoa, as well as agro-tourism,” she said. She added that the organisers aim to create employment opportunities and contribute to poverty reduction through the promotion of agro-tourism.

Exhibitor Promotes Commercial Agriculture and Value Addition Mr. Kazibwe Michael of Kazibwe Mixed Farm in Busedde, Jinja District, one of the festival exhibitors, said he had benefited from President Museveni’s four-acre model through commercial agriculture. He said his farm also undertakes coffee and cocoa value addition while utilising cow dung for productive purposes.

Mr. Kazibwe encouraged parents to involve their children in agricultural ventures to ensure continuity and inspire the younger generation to embrace commercial agriculture.