Cultivating a Resilient Future: Uganda’s 2026 National Agroecology Week of Action Set to Kicks Off Next Week

In a bold move to bridge farmers, policy, and markets for Sustainable Food Systems, and as a global discussions around food security and climate resilience intensify, PELUM Uganda is joining hands with government ministries and strategic partners to host the 2026 National Agroecology Week of Action (AWA). 

Running from 26–30 October 2026 at Hotel Africana, Kampala, the landmark five-day convening operates under the theme: “Accelerating a Just and Resilient Food Future: Connecting Agroecological Production, Policy Action, and Market Synergies.”

Bringing together more than 1,500 delegates—including smallholder farmers, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and consumers—the event arrives hot on the heels of the International Day of Rural Women (15 October) and World Food Day (16 October). With approximately 65% of Uganda’s workforce anchored in agriculture, stakeholders aim to translate high-level global pledges into ground-level economic and ecological impact.

Three Flagship Events Driving Transformation:

The Week of Action is structured around three core pillars designed to move the sector from dialogue to implementation including: The 8th National Agroecology Actors’ Symposium (28 October 2026) under the Theme: “Transforming Uganda’s Agrifood Systems: Advancing Agroecology under Kampala CAADP Commitments.” focusing on policy coherence, this symposium according to organisers aligns national agricultural strategies with regional CAADP (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme) targets.

The second activity is the 5th Agroecological Market Systems Expo - AMASE (28 October 2026) with the Theme: “Building Strategic Partnerships for Resilient Agroecological Enterprises and Sustainable Market Systems.”

AMASE connects producers with buyers, features business-to-business networking, and launches the Enterprise Readiness, Partnership Facilitation and Uptake Acceleration Assessment Report, bridging regenerative farming with renewable energy solutions.

Also on the menu of events the3rd event will be the 16th Indigenous and Traditional Seed and Food Festival (29–30 October 2026) Themed “Our Seeds, Our Food, Our Heritage: Cultivating Climate Resilience through Culture and Tradition.”

A vibrant showcase of Uganda’s native seed varieties, traditional culinary arts, and biodiversity safeguards led by women and elder seed-keepers.

Mr. Edward Mukiibi, Executive Director of Slow Food Uganda and Chairperson of the PELUM Uganda Board, emphasized that environmental protection and farmer prosperity must go hand in hand:

“Uganda’s food future depends on our ability to protect biodiversity, support farmers, and build food systems that nourish people while sustaining the environment. We must ensure that agroecology is recognised not only for its contribution to sustainable production, but also for its potential to strengthen livelihoods, create opportunities, and preserve our food heritage.”

Echoing this sentiment, Josephine Akia Luyimbazi, Country Coordinator of PELUM Uganda, stressed the shift toward actionable accountability:“Through the Agroecology Week of Action, we seek to bring these priorities together by connecting farmers’ innovations with policy action, market opportunities, and strategic partnerships. Our ambition is to move beyond dialogue towards practical commitments that strengthen agroecology.”

Meanwhile Mr. Ruhakana Joseph Taremwaa CEO Agro tourism Association highlighted that based on the sensitization made by PELUM on agroecology, there has been an improvement on production, certification and the progress has had an effect on agro ecology products tourism by visitors who want to test the food and beverage. 

PELUM Uganda calls upon the public, private sector, CSOs, and media to join the dialogue and visit PELUM Uganda for updates.