Minister Rwamirama applauds Heifer Int. Uganda’s partnership strategy in building resilient farmers’ livelihoods 

Kampala: Heifer International Uganda under various initiatives such as The Signature Program Forum have over the last for decades worked with communities to increase farmers income, improve child nutrition, care for the Earth, end world hunger and poverty among others. 

Uganda’s communities that have been working with them have revealed various benefits including improved farming practices such climate smart agriculture, introduction of new cow and crop varieties, farmer organizing tips that they say have impacted their lives.

During the celebrations to mark 44 years of Heifer International held on Thursday 13^th August 2026 at Sheraton Hotel, Rt. Col. Bright Rwamirama, The Minister in Charge of Animal Industry in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries disclosed that government has for decades partnered with has partnered with Heifer for 44 year to transform agriculture & rural livelihoods to an extent that they are now building competitive agricultural value chains beyond livestock support.

“Government commends Heifer’s innovative financing models connecting cooperatives & farmers with financial institutions, enabling investment in productive assets, renewable energy, value addition & enterprise growth. We are committed to working with Heifer & all stakeholders to build a productive, competitive, inclusive & climate-resilient agricultural sector that provides sustainable incomes for Uganda’s farmers” he said  

He said their initiatives have created an opportunity to recognize progress, and examine the challenges facing Uganda’s farmers, while learning from successful interventions & forging partnerships to transform Uganda’s agriculture.

“Government values this enduring partnership and commends Heifer International’s commitment to Uganda’s agricultural transformation and adaptation to evolving development priorities. I congratulate Heifer International–Uganda upon celebrating 44 years of supporting agriculture in Uganda” he said

The theme of the celebration was: “Celebrating Progress, Sharing Lessons, Shaping the Future of the Agri-Food System” which the minister said is timely and closely aligned with the Government’s vision of building a competitive, profitable, sustainable and commercially oriented agricultural sector.

The Country Director, Heifer International Uganda said that the success story of the Signature Program initiatives is attributed to strong partnerships and the resultant collective actions in the agric-food sector

“We seek partnerships to accelerate technology & innovation and expand access to finance, knowledge, quality inputs & reliable markets—enabling 1M smallholder farming households to build resilient lives” he said

He told the participants that over the period of 44 years Heifer has “evolved from supporting family to strengthening value chains, farmers’ institutions, links to markets”  in focus areas such as poultry, Diary,  Beef, Horticulture, oil seeds among others.

Heifer International has operated in Uganda since 1982, helping smallholder farmers and rural communities end hunger and poverty. Headquartered on Plot 1 Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala, the organization focuses on building climate-resilient farming, boosting incomes, and empowering women and young agri-entrepreneurs through sustainable value chains.

Core Focus Areas & Programs are Inclusive Markets, Youth Employment (SAYE that stimulates Agribusiness for Youth Employment project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, AYuTe Africa Challenge, Supporting young agritech innovators and entrepreneurs with funding and mentorship to scale up tech solutions for farming among others.