By Vincent Emong
KOLOLO – Vice President Jessica Alupo has flagged off the distribution of 109 vehicles and 1,034 motorcycles to strengthen agricultural extension services across Uganda under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP).
The flag-off ceremony, held at Kololo Independence Grounds on April 21, 2026, marks a significant step in enhancing service delivery to farmers, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
The vehicles and motorcycles have been allocated to 69 districts implementing UCSATP, a six-year initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. The project is part of a broader national investment of USD 354 million targeting 3.9 million direct beneficiaries, including refugee-hosting communities.
Speaking at the event, Alupo said the newly deployed assets will play a critical role in improving last-mile service delivery by enabling extension workers to reach farmers more efficiently.
“For a long time, limited mobility has constrained service delivery. These vehicles and motorcycles will now ensure timely technical support, better monitoring, and improved accountability,” she said.
She emphasized that the handover fulfills the government’s commitment to equip frontline agricultural officers with the tools needed to enhance productivity, improve market access, and build resilience within agricultural value chains.
Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, cautioned district leaders and extension workers to ensure proper use and maintenance of the equipment.
“These are public resources entrusted to you to serve our farmers. They must be used strictly for official duties, safeguarded properly, and managed with full accountability,” she warned.
She further urged all stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of UCSATP to ensure it delivers tangible benefits within the set timelines, calling for stronger coordination between government agencies and development partners.
Alupo also appealed to the World Bank to continue supporting Uganda’s agricultural transformation, particularly through initiatives such as AgriConnect, which aim to unlock investments in mechanization, irrigation, value addition, and market access.
“The success of this project depends on our collective commitment to transform livelihoods and build a resilient agricultural sector,” she added.
Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring all extension workers are adequately facilitated to carry out farm outreach, advisory services, and data collection.
He called on local leaders, including Members of Parliament, LC5 chairpersons, Resident District Commissioners, and councillors, to oversee the proper utilization and maintenance of the equipment.
Tumwebaze also commended the World Bank for prioritizing agriculture in its funding framework, noting that the sector continues to play a central role in employment, exports, and household income.
He highlighted that Uganda is currently Africa’s leading coffee exporter, earning approximately USD 2.4 billion over the past 12 months, reflecting improved incomes among coffee farmers.
The newly distributed vehicles and motorcycles are expected to serve as the logistical backbone for field extension staff operating across the targeted districts.
UCSATP is designed to address key challenges in Uganda’s agricultural sector, including low productivity, limited access to quality inputs, weak extension services, climate shocks, poor market linkages, post-harvest losses, and low mechanization.
Through investments in climate-smart research, improved seeds and breeds, irrigation, aquaculture, and institutional strengthening, the project aims to transform Uganda’s agriculture into a modern, resilient, and productive sector.
The government remains optimistic that with enhanced mobility and coordinated implementation, the initiative will significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods and drive sustainable economic growth.
