KAMPALA, Uganda—Entrepreneurs in Uganda’s agricultural sector have been advised to adopt value-adding practices to capitalize on lucrative local and regional trade opportunities.
The call was made during the climax of a four-day Agri SME Skills Development Program facilitated by PostBank Uganda in partnership with the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME).
“Initially the program targeted to train over 300 beneficiaries countrywide, but we have surpassed the number and managed to train over 530 participants,” said Martin Lukyamuzi, PostBank Uganda’s Regional Head of Distribution-Greater Kampala.
The program, launched in 2022, aims to empower Ugandans through financial literacy and skills development. The sessions involve technical training on post-harvest handling, good manufacturing practices, and value addition.
“At PostBank, we are committed to fostering prosperity for Ugandans. By upskilling entrepreneurs in the different economic sectors like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing among others, we are enabling these businesses to boost their operations, which will enable them to produce products and services that meet local and international market standards, improving their market base and tapping into the enormous trade opportunities within the region,” Lukyamuzi said.
John Walugembe, Executive Director of FSME, commended PostBank Uganda for supporting businesses through initiatives like the Agri SME Skills Development Program.
“PostBank Uganda has been at the forefront of supporting businesses to realize their full potential through forums like the Agri SME Skills Development Program where businesses gain skills that not only help them manage their finances, but guide them on how best to adopt value addition so that they can attain the business acumen required for them to thrive in a completive and dynamic business environment within Uganda and other international trade markets,” Walugembe said.
The program has reached entrepreneurs across the country, including those in Soroti, Fort Portal, Arua, and Kampala. The climax of the 2024 cohort focused on coffee traders in Kampala.
