In a bid to make Uganda free from hunger, the World Food Programme (WFP) has strengthened ties with the private sector to boost food production.

Marcus Prior, the deputy country director for the WFP in Uganda, said in 2022 the organization served 1.9 million people with a wide range of interventions, from food and cash transfers to nutrition support, school feeding, and agriculture market support to smallholder farmers.

In a meeting in Kampala on Wednesday, Prior said for the duration they have been in Uganda, they had no strong ties with the food suppliers, yet what they provide to the refugees is bought within.

He noted that this was tiresome and needed a middleman, such as a strong firm or organization established locally.

WFP is now in the process of partnering with the private sector foundation Uganda (PSFU), which is well-established with a remarkable history and the trust of its members.

“Considering our large footprint in the country, WFP would like to enhance collaboration with the private sector community in the country,” he said.

He noted that Uganda is one of the countries that accepts refugees, and this is enough to make it hospitable. Giving it financial support through the private sector would be encouraging.

“We see an opportunity to work with the private sector because of their presence and willingness,” he added.

This year, the WFP has supported about 1.5 million people in the country through food, nutrition, and financial support, especially in refugee camps. The humanitarian organisation also supported 200,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and children.

The organization has furthermore tackled land degradation through asset creation and climate-smart intervention, supporting local economies. The agriculture market has supported over 320,000 farmers to reduce harvest losses.

Currently, the WFP has changed its strategy from feeding refugees on processed to organic foods. Prior revealed that foods such as sorghum, maize, millet, and others are the most needed. This means farmers who are going to plant such crops will get funded.

Stephen Asiimwe, the executive director of the private sector foundation Uganda (PSFU), said the world has over 8 billion people, and in Uganda, there are at least 45 million people who need enough food. If they are convinced to take part in modern agriculture, the system and mode of food delivery could change.

Asiimwe said the private sector in Uganda plays an enormous role in changing and shaping the economy in the right way. Giving it more funding means that at least 78% of Ugandans are going to get quality goods sold either in the local or national market.

He is also convinced that once the farmers are sponsored, it will equal hitting two birds with one stone, stating that climate change issues and quality production will be addressed at once.

Recently, Kenya accused Ugandan food suppliers of selling food products with aflatoxins. The highlighted foods were maize, eggs, and milk products. According to Asiimwe, these are the challenges that will be addressed.

Although WFP did not announce how much it would inject into this collaboration, it’s been revealed that farmers will get financial assistance through an organized group like PSFU or any other stakeholder, such as banks, which are well-trusted and can easily mobilize people.

Francis Kisirinya, also from PSFU, explained the opportunities in the upcoming partnership. He said the interest between the two organizations was mutual, with WFP pushing its own agenda but also the private sector having enough financial manpower.

“We have seen areas of partnerships that are going to emerge out of this, like providing financial help,” he said.

He said key stakeholders, such as financial sector players, have been able to identify opportunities for cash transfers by handling payment systems.

Kisirinya said companies are already aggregating what is produced by small farmers, putting it together, grading it, creating a standard that is needed, and then selling it to WFP at a reasonable price.

“We have also seen companies that provide additional markets for waste agriculture production. For instance, one sells the rice and also the husks. The farmer benefits from selling a product but also from the waste."

“It is really a beneficial partnership between the PSFU and the WFP,” he added.

He stated that the organization mostly buys food products such as maize and beans, and anyone dealing in them is likely to benefit.

With the mere existence of a good price in the market, farmers are already motivated to increase production.

Among the groups of people that attended the event were financiers, Agro-input providers, and the rest. Kisirinya is well assured that such a collaboration will help farmers achieve their long-awaited dreams.