The region marks a historic shift from subsistence farming to agro-export, with farmers also set to receive hybrid chicken for daily household income.
Busoga is set to make history this September with the export of its first container of chili to China, marking a transformative shift in the region’s agricultural and economic outlook. The export is the result of a regional development programme spearheaded by the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), which is promoting chili and soya farming as part of a broader strategy to fight poverty and raise household incomes.
“The first chili export container leaving Busoga for China is a turning point. We are finally tapping into the global market with our own high-value produce,” said Dr. Anthony Mula, Director General of BCD.
Busoga to Export First Chili Container to China
The initiative, aligned with Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM), targets over one million farmers across Busoga’s ten districts. BCD aims to replace low-return traditional crops with market-driven alternatives, while also offering post-harvest solutions, training, and value-addition support.
From Demonstration to Export: The Journey So Far
The chili programe was officially launched earlier this year by Vice President H.E. Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo at a 40-acre demonstration farm in Kamuli District. Since then, farmers across Kamuli, Mayuge, Bugiri, Jinja, and Namayingo have adopted the crop, supported by BCD and the Greater Kamuli Farmers’ Cooperative.
With harvests now underway, the first container is set to leave Busoga for China next month, signalling a new era for smallholder farmers in the region.
Economic Projections: UGX 19 Trillion Within Reach
Chili’s potential as a cash crop is being backed by promising numbers. If one million farmers each plant one acre of chili, the region could earn:
UGX 5 trillionfrom the first season
UGX 10 trillionfrom the second season (double yield)
UGX 4 trillionfrom the third, lighter season
Annual projection: UGX 19 trillion in regional income from chili alone.
BCD has outlined that this target can be reached by mobilising 100,000 farmers per district. If the same households grow soya as well, Busoga’s agricultural economy could double.
Reducing Losses and Building Skills
To address post-harvest losses, 120 tarpaulins have been distributed to farmers in Namayombe (Namayingo), Mashiaga (Mayuge), and Busana (Kamuli) to dry soya. Farmers report up to 40% reductions in losses during the harvest season.
Additionally, selected model farmers will travel to China and Tanzania in September for hands-on training in chili and soya value addition—part of BCD’s strategy to build local agro-industrial capacity.
Soya Milk in Schools, Thanks to China Partnership
Through a partnership with the China Agriculture University, Busoga will receive 15 soya milk processing machines in 2026. These will be installed in government schools to support:
Child nutrition and brain development
School feeding programmes
Domestic demand for locally grown soya
Hybrid Chicken Distribution to Boost Daily Income
Beyond chili and soya, farmers in organized groups will also receive hybrid chicken to supplement seasonal crop income with daily household earnings. This move is intended to stabilise cash flow in rural homes and create micro-livelihoods alongside long-term agro-industrial growth.
“While chili and soya provide income in cycles, poultry ensures families can earn daily. It’s a sustainable path to financial security,” Dr. Mula added.
Model Expansion and Regional Vision
BCD also plans to expand its Village Agricultural Model from three to five villages by 2026, providing more farmers with access to training, equipment, and input subsidies.
“We’re targeting to impact over one million households through agriculture,” Dr. Mula said.
A Region Reimagined
As Busoga prepares to export its first chili harvest, the message is clear: subsistence farming is being replaced by structured, export-ready agribusiness. With complementary enterprises like poultry and value-added processing on the horizon, the region is writing a new economic story—one of productivity, partnership, and prosperity.
Farmers are advised to register at their respective district agriculture offices for the next planting season, and to engage in available training programmers to benefit from the initiative.