UCA and Bank of Uganda Strengthen Farmers’ Access to Agricultural and Small Business Finance in Bunyoro

Kagadi District, 24 August 2026 — Farmers and cooperative leaders from Kyenjojo, Kagadi and Kikuube districts have been equipped with information on accessing the Government of Uganda’s Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) and Small Business Fund (SBF), in a strategic effort to expand access to affordable finance for agricultural production and small businesses in the Bunyoro sub-region.

The sensitisation workshop, held in Kagadi District, was organised by the Bank of Uganda (BOU) in partnership with Uganda Cooperative Alliance Ltd (UCA), with representatives from commercial banks operating in the region participating in the engagement. 

The initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure that farmers, cooperatives and small businesses are better positioned to take advantage of Government financing programmes designed to stimulate production, enterprise development and inclusive economic growth.

Officials from Bank of Uganda explained that the ACF and SBF are Government of Uganda financing initiatives implemented through BOU, with farmers and small and medium enterprises able to access the funds through participating commercial banks. 

For UCA, the engagement goes beyond simply informing farmers about available financing. It reflects the Alliance’s growing strategic role in bridging the gap between Government financing programmes and the cooperatives and communities that are expected to benefit from them.

UCA was invited by Bank of Uganda to mobilise and guide farmers and cooperatives on the eligibility requirements, application procedures and responsible utilisation of the facilities.

Commercial bank representatives attending the workshop assured participants of technical support throughout the application process and encouraged farmers and cooperatives to engage their nearest bank branches. Participants were guided on the importance of having the required documentation, including cooperative registration certificates, business plans and collateral, as stipulated under the respective ACF and SBF guidelines.

Representing UCA, Hon. Bintu Jalia, Supervisory Board Member, emphasised that the intervention forms part of UCA’s wider commitment to ensuring that cooperatives across Uganda are able to access and effectively utilise Government programmes.

“Our role is to make sure that farmers and cooperatives are not left behind. We shall continue with financial literacy, imparting leadership and governance skills and group management training so that members can qualify and use these funds productively.”

This approach reflects an important shift in UCA’s support to cooperatives—from mobilisation alone towards comprehensive value-chain support that strengthens the capacity of cooperatives to access, manage and productively utilise financial resources.

 Access to finance is only one part of building resilient and commercially viable cooperatives. Strong governance, financial literacy, proper record keeping, sound business planning and effective group management are equally critical to ensuring that borrowed resources translate into increased production, stronger enterprises and improved household incomes.

Through this integrated approach, UCA seeks to position cooperatives as effective vehicles for transforming available Government financing into productive investment, employment and sustainable livelihoods.

 Government Commends UCA’s Advocacy Role

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kagadi District, Mr. Edward Birungi, who officiated at the closing of the workshop, commended UCA for its continued advocacy and support to farmers.

 “In a special way, I appreciate the work UCA is doing to lobby and advocate for farmers. As Government, we really appreciate.”

He encouraged farmers to embrace the cooperative model, maintain proper records and work closely with financial institutions to improve their ability to benefit from available financing facilities.

Expanding Access to Finance in Bunyoro

The Kagadi engagement comes at a time when access to affordable credit remains a significant challenge for farmers and small businesses. By bringing together farmers, cooperatives, Government representatives, Bank of Uganda and commercial banks, the sensitisation created a direct platform for addressing information and access barriers that can prevent potential beneficiaries from taking advantage of available financing.

The engagement is expected to contribute to increased uptake of the ACF and SBF across the Bunyoro sub-region, while strengthening the capacity of cooperatives and small businesses to make informed financing decisions.

For UCA, the partnership demonstrates the critical role of the cooperative movement in connecting national economic programmes with communities at the grassroots.

As Uganda continues to pursue inclusive economic transformation, strong and well-governed cooperatives can provide the institutional platform through which farmers and small businesses organise, access finance, increase production, participate in markets and create sustainable livelihoods.