Uganda is often cited as the “cradle” of the African organic movement. From hosting the first-ever African Organic Conference in 2009 to serving as a critical pilot for the IIABA initiative, Uganda’s NOGAMU serves as a beacon for what is possible when farmers unite.
A Pioneer in the Movement
Uganda’s leadership in the sector is no accident. The country has consistently leveraged its National Organic Agricultural Movement (NOGAMU) to anchor standards into the very fabric of its rural economy. As a pilot country for the IIABA project, Uganda has been the testing ground for innovations in territorial markets and municipal composting.
Scaling Through Local Certification
While international exports remain high, the current focus in Uganda is the “local guarantee.” By utilizing Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), Ugandan farmers are proving that trust-based, community-led certification can open doors to local supermarkets and school feeding programs—markets that were previously inaccessible.
Challenges of the Global Landscape
Despite its success, Uganda is not immune to global shocks. Recent reports highlight how geopolitical conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, have caused glass jar shortages and price hikes, impacting the value-addition sector for Ugandan organic honey and oils. This further underscores AfrONet’s mission: to build a resilient, self-sustaining African organic ecosystem that can withstand global volatility.