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The Uganda Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on the Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP), held on March 17-18, 2025, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, convened policymakers, researchers, private sector representatives, and civil society actors to align efforts toward sustainable soil health management and fertiliser use. Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) in collaboration with the Africa Network for Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) and the Agricultural Policy Research Centre (APRC) at Makerere University, with support from AGRA, the workshop aimed to facilitate a shared understanding of the AFSH-AP and its domestication within Uganda’s policy and regulatory frameworks. Stakeholders engaged in critical discussions on the plan’s integration into Uganda’s existing fertiliser policies and the need for coordinated implementation strategies.
Dr. Florence Lwiza from APRC provided a comprehensive review of Uganda’s soil health and fertiliser policy framework, highlighting key policies, including the National Fertiliser Policy (NFP), National Agriculture Policy (NAP), and National Organic Agriculture Policy (NOAP). She underscored that while Uganda has substantial policy instruments supporting soil fertility management, the challenge lies in implementation. She urged stakeholders to move beyond policy formulation to effective execution, leveraging existing legal and institutional frameworks to drive measurable progress.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Antony Chapoto of ANAPRI contextualised Uganda’s limited progress in fertiliser adoption since the Abuja Declaration of 2006, stressing the need for urgent and targeted interventions. He emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration and strong political will, urging government officials to demonstrate leadership in translating policy commitments into tangible outcomes. Additionally, he highlighted the Coalition for Policy and Advocacy (C4PA) as a key supporter of the action plan’s implementation, working closely with other coalitions. He also promoted the Farmer Know Your Soil (FKYS) campaign as a vital initiative that aligns with and reinforces the objectives of the action plan.
Contributions from researchers and private sector representatives enriched the engagement workshop by providing evidence-based insights on soil health management, fertiliser adoption trends, and trade dynamics. Researchers presented findings on soil testing practices, market accessibility, and socio-economic factors affecting fertiliser use, while private sector actors shared their experiences in scaling up fertiliser adoption and soil management services. These discussions helped identify key gaps and opportunities for Uganda’s fertiliser and soil health sector, laying a foundation for well-informed recommendations to guide the implementation of the national action plan.
Dr. Asseta Diallo from AGRA elaborated on the broader vision of the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan, reiterating AGRA’s commitment to supporting its implementation. The workshop also featured remarks from the Commissioner for Agricultural Extension and Skills Management, Mr. Opolot Nakalet, who highlighted ongoing government initiatives to strengthen agricultural extension services and improve farmers’ access to fertilisers and soil health solutions.
Hon. Bwino Kyakulaga, the state minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to promoting sustainable land management practices. In her closing remarks, Dr. Rosemary Emegu Isoto, Head of the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics, reiterated the strong commitment of APRC and Makerere University toward finalising the roadmap. She outlined APRC’s role in providing evidence-based recommendations aimed at supporting the implementation of the action plan. With strong multi-stakeholder collaboration, the workshop concluded on a positive note, setting a firm foundation for advancing Uganda’s soil health agenda and boosting agricultural productivity.