Uganda’s efforts to modernise agriculture have received a fresh boost after the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) commissioned and handed over 150 single-axle tractors and agricultural implements to selected farmer groups and institutions across the country.The equipment, also referred to as power tillers or walk-behind tractors, is expected to help smallholder farmers who still depend largely on hand hoes and other basic tools.
However, MAAIF has revealed that the machinery currently available meets only about four per cent of the country’s total agricultural mechanisation demand, pointing to a major shortage of equipment.State Minister for Agriculture Desire Muhooza said the low level of coverage shows the need for increased investment in agricultural mechanisation. She said farmers need access to machinery that is not only appropriate for their work but also affordable and readily available.
Muhooza made the remarks on Saturday at the MAAIF headquarters in Wandegeya, Kampala, during the official commissioning and handover of the new equipment. She said the ministry is preparing to procure more machinery in order to extend mechanisation services to a larger number of farmers, although this will require additional budgetary support.The minister noted that the latest equipment adds to previous government investments in agricultural machinery. MAAIF has so far procured and distributed 650 high-capacity tractors with matching implements as well as 1,000 single-axle tractors to farmers across all 146 district local governments, interventions which she said have helped increase the acreage under cultivation.For the 2025/2026 financial year, MAAIF set aside Shs57.2 billion for the procurement of 200 more single-axle tractors and accessories, while other mechanisation equipment remains under procurement. The machinery is expected to assist farmers with activities including bush clearing, opening land, ploughing, transportation and value addition.The beneficiaries will receive the equipment under renewable three-year memoranda of understanding with MAAIF, subject to proper utilisation.
The ministry will provide routine maintenance support for up to 1,000 hours of operation, while operators will undergo training before using the machinery. According to Muhooza, operator training will start on September 28 in the respective districts, followed by regular monitoring of usage and maintenance.MAAIF is also strengthening infrastructure to support the programme by rehabilitating and equipping the Namalere National Agricultural Mechanisation Referral Centre as a training and accreditation centre for machinery operators, mechanics and technicians.
The ministry further plans to establish 20 Zonal Agricultural Mechanisation Centres, beginning with Mbale, Dokolo, Iganga, Nabilatuk, Soroti, Mpigi, Kiryandongo and Kiruhura. Muhooza said the wider programme is intended to help farmers shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture, reduce dependence on rudimentary tools and improve productivity, profitability and sustainability in the sector.
