Entrepreneurs have been advised to adopt value addition practices as a gateway to tap into the lucrative trade opportunities locally and across the region. The call was made during the climax of the four (4) day Agri SME Skills Development Program by facilitated PostBank Uganda in partnership with the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME) at Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) in Nakawa, Kampala.
PostBank, FMSE Advise Coffee Entrepreneurs on Value Addition
Launched in 2022, the Agri SME Skills Development Program forms part of PostBank Uganda’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) under its Financial Literacy pillar, aimed at empowering Ugandans so that they can participate in the social economic activities that will boost the country’s development.
During his remarks at the climax of the 4-day training program that kicked off on 16th December 2024, PostBank Uganda Regional Head of Distribution-Greater Kampala, Martin Lukyamuzi, said, “Initially the program targeted to train to over 300 beneficiaries countrywide, but we have surpassed the number and managed to train over 530 participants.”
The sessions involve a 3-day technical training where the farmers or traders get hands-on learning, gaining knowledge on the entire process, proper post-harvest handling to maintain quality, and good manufacturing practices and an overall approach to value addition on their produce with the required quality so that they can explore regional trade opportunities.
Financial literacy is the highlight of the final training which is guided by PostBank Uganda representatives. Participants are trained in how to manage their finances properly and guided on the different products offered by the bank to support them on their journey as they grow and prosper, which aligns with the bank’s purposes of fostering prosperity for Ugandans.
FSME, Executive Director, John Walugembe recognized PostBank Uganda for fronting initiatives that are directed towards 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.
“At PostBank, we are committed to fostering prosperity for Ugandans. By upskilling entrepreneurs in the different economic sectors like agriculture, tourism, 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 concluded.
The Agri SME Skills Development Program has been able reach out to entrepreneurs across the country, including Soroti District where farmers were skilled in millet processing, in Fort Portal where agro-tourism best practices were shared, cassava processing and value addition in Arua District and the climax of the 2024 cohort being Coffee traders in Kampala.
PostBank Uganda (PBU) is purposed to foster posterity for Ugandans and has since its establishment extended tailored financial services to enable them to Grow and Prosper by facilitating their participation in social economic activities that improve their livelihoods.
The Bank is a limited liability company that was incorporated under the Companies Act in 1998 and is owned by the Government of Uganda with 100% shareholding. PostBank Uganda, a fully-fledged commercial bank, boasts of a wide branch network of 58 branches countrywide, and over 3,000 Agents. These are complemented by PostMobile – *263#, PostApp, PostOnline and smart ATMs
FSME on the other hand is a not-for-profit membership umbrella association that brings together Small and Medium Enterprises/business in Uganda to play a pivotal role in creating robust and conducive business environment for such businesses in Uganda. Our Vision is to be the apex organization promoting and protecting the interests of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Uganda. Our Mission is to equip MSMEs for success and growth, by ensuring that there is a conducive environment for business and access to quality business development services. FSME has over 734,000 members nationwide.