Ugandan agricultural policy rests on Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan with its Agro-Industrialisation programme, the National Agriculture Policy of 2013 and the Parish Development Model. The legal base combines land and cooperative laws with commodity Acts for coffee, cotton, dairy and sugar and financial laws on microfinance, insurance and movable collateral. Amendment Acts of 2024 moved several agricultural agencies into ministries.
This note explains how the entries are linked. Each Act links to its assented text on the Parliament of Uganda servers where available, to the Parliament Bill Tracker and to the FAOLEX record mirrored on ECOLEX. Chapter numbers are those of the Revised Edition of the Laws of Uganda 2023 as listed by ULII. Dates and status were checked on 17 October 2026. Where the Bill Tracker is the only source for an assent date, the entry says so, and Acts that come into force by statutory instrument are not described as in force unless a commencement date was found.
Milestones in agricultural and agri-finance policy
Land ActAct No. 16 of 1998, Cap. 236 (Cap. 227 in the 2000 edition)Gazette No. 41 of 2 Jul 1998, amended 2001, 2004 and 2010
The Land Act governs land tenure, customary ownership, grants of freehold, communal land, the Uganda Land Commission, land-use control and land tribunals1. The 2004 amendment provides for security of occupancy, the protection of family land, restrictions on its transfer and land committees23. Section 32A, inserted in 2010, provides that a lawful or bona fide occupant of registered land may be evicted only on a court order and only for non-payment of the annual nominal ground rent24. Compulsory acquisition of land for public purposes is governed separately by the Land Acquisition Act of 1965, now Cap. 2352526.
Recent changes: Land (Amendment) Act No. 1 of 2010, assented to on 6 January 2010 and in force from 12 February 201024. Subsidiary rules include the Land Regulations 2004 and the Land (Annual Nominal Ground Rent) Regulations 201126.
National Agricultural Advisory Services ActAct No. 10 of 2001, Cap. 1962001, amending Bill passed 22 Oct 2024 and assented 16 Dec 2024 (Bill Tracker)
The 2001 Act established the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) as a body corporate to promote market-oriented farming, food security, nutrition and household incomes, and allowed farmer groups to register for its services3. Under the policy for the rationalisation of government agencies (RAPEX), adopted by Cabinet on 22 February 2021, Parliament passed the NAADS (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 22 October 20242718. The Bill dissolves NAADS and transfers its functions to the Directorate of Agricultural Extension in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and the Bill Tracker records assent on 16 December 20241827. The Bill as tabled contains no commencement clause, and under section 14 of the Acts of Parliament Act an Act without a commencement date takes effect on its publication in the Gazette2829. The Gazette date was not found, but the Ministry of Finance found in FY2024/25 that functions and some staff of NAADS had moved to MAAIF30.
National Agricultural Research ActAct No. 19 of 2005, Cap. 197Assent 4 Sep 2005 (Bill Tracker)
The Act succeeded the National Agricultural Research Organisation Act of 1992, which had established NARO to undertake, promote and streamline research in crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry3132. NARO operates sixteen public research institutes, seven national institutes and nine zonal institutes33.
Cooperative Societies ActStatute No. 8 of 1991, Cap. 107 (Cap. 112 in the 2000 edition)1991, amended 2019 (assent 6 Nov 2019) and 2022 (assent 7 Sep 2022)
The Act governs the registration, operation and management of cooperative societies34. The Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act 2019 strengthens the regulation and supervision of all types of cooperatives and the safety and soundness of savings and credit cooperatives, and adds rules on leadership, records, an Audit and Supervision Fund and corporate governance, including provisions for agricultural production and marketing societies1334. The 2022 amendment requires a register of beneficial owners35. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives had registered 29,982 cooperatives by 30 June 2021, including 10,850 savings and credit cooperatives and 10,329 agricultural marketing cooperatives36.
Recent changes: Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act 2019, assented to on 6 November 2019, and Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act 2022, assented to on 7 September 20221335.
Warehouse Receipt System ActAct No. 14 of 2006, Cap. 83Gazette No. 36 of 8 Jun 2006, amended by the Warehouse Receipt System (Amendment) Act 2024 (assent 15 Jul 2024, Bill Tracker)
The Act established the Uganda Warehouse Receipt System Authority to license warehouses, warehouse keepers and inspectors and to issue negotiable warehouse receipts, and allows goods at risk of deterioration to be sold at the commodity exchange5. The Regulations of 2007 applied the system first to agricultural commodities and require a warehouse bond and insurance5. A parliamentary committee reported in April 2024 that the Authority had licensed four warehouses since 200637. The 2024 amendment, made under RAPEX, dissolves the Authority on commencement and transfers its functions to the ministry responsible for trade, which now runs a Warehouse Receipt System department1938.
Recent changes: Warehouse Receipt System (Amendment) Act 2024, passed on 17 April 2024 and assented to on 15 July 2024 according to the Bill Tracker. The Act contains no commencement clause, so under section 14 of the Acts of Parliament Act it takes effect on its publication in the Gazette, and the Gazette date was not found391929.
National Coffee ActAct No. 17 of 2021, Cap. 38Assent 31 Aug 2021, amended by the National Coffee (Amendment) Act 2024 (assent 20 Dec 2024)
The 2021 Act repealed the Uganda Coffee Development Authority Act and continued the Authority to regulate, promote and oversee all on-farm and off-farm activities in the coffee value chain, with a coffee auction system1440. The National Coffee (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed on 6 November 2024 and assented to on 20 December 20241741. It dissolves the Authority on commencement, transfers its functions to the ministry responsible for agriculture and keeps existing licences in force1742. The former Authority's website now operates as the Coffee Department of MAAIF and continues to publish monthly export reports43.
Recent changes: National Coffee (Amendment) Act 2024 (Bill No. 29 of 2024), assented to on 20 December 20241741. The Bill as tabled contains no commencement clause, and under section 14 of the Acts of Parliament Act an Act without a commencement date takes effect on its publication in the Gazette4429. The Gazette date was not found, but the coffee regulator's website and reports now operate as the Coffee Department of MAAIF43.
Cotton Development ActStatute No. 1 of 1994, Cap. 36 (Cap. 30 in the 2000 edition)1994, amending Bill passed 22 Oct 2024 and assented 22 Dec 2024 (Bill Tracker)
The Act established the Cotton Development Organisation and regulates the production, processing and marketing of seed cotton, lint and cottonseed, with a cess varied by statutory instrument in 2004 and cotton zones set in 200545. The Cotton Development (Amendment) Bill 2024 mainstreams the Organisation's functions into the ministry under RAPEX4618. Parliament passed it on 22 October 2024 and the Bill Tracker records assent on 22 December 202447. The Bill as tabled contains no commencement clause, and under section 14 of the Acts of Parliament Act an Act without a commencement date takes effect on its publication in the Gazette4629. The Gazette date was not found, but the Ministry of Finance found in FY2024/25 that functions and some staff of the Organisation had moved to MAAIF30.
Dairy Industry ActAct No. 11 of 1998, Cap. 67 (Cap. 85 in the 2000 edition)1998, amending Bill passed 22 Oct 2024 and assented 22 Dec 2024 (Bill Tracker)
The Act established the Dairy Development Authority to promote and control the production, processing and marketing of milk, to register and license processors and traders and to enforce milk standards2. The Dairy Industry (Amendment) Bill 2024 mainstreams the Authority into MAAIF under RAPEX18. It was passed on 22 October 2024 and assented to on 22 December 2024 according to the Bill Tracker48. The Bill as tabled contains no commencement clause, and under section 14 of the Acts of Parliament Act an Act without a commencement date takes effect on its publication in the Gazette4929. The Gazette date was not found, but the Ministry of Finance found in FY2024/25 that functions and some staff of the Authority had moved to MAAIF30.
Sugar ActAct No. 13 of 2020, Cap. 42Assent 23 Apr 2020, in force on publication in the Gazette
The Act provides for the development, regulation and promotion of the sugar industry and establishes the Uganda Sugar Board50. The National Sugar Policy of 2010 had called for a regulatory mechanism, cane-growing zones and a market-based pricing framework51.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ActAct No. 5 of 2023, Cap. 314Assent 8 Feb 2023
The Act provides for the licensing and control of fisheries and aquaculture, strengthens the Directorate of Fisheries Resources, provides for lake management organisations, landing sites, fish breeding areas and the regulation of fish feeds, and repeals the Fish Act and the Trout Protection Act5253. The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy of 2017 sets a target of 1.7 million tonnes of production a year54.
Animal Diseases ActOrdinance of 1918, Cap. 48 (Cap. 38 in the 2000 edition)1918, amended by Act No. 26 of 2006 (Gazette No. 47 of 4 Aug 2006)
The Act empowers the Minister to declare animals, diseases and infected areas by statutory instrument and sets disease-control measures55. The 2006 amendment substituted the offences section, with fines of up to 100 currency points, imprisonment of up to two years, or both56.
Animal Breeding ActAct No. 11 of 2001, Cap. 472001
The Act established the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank and regulates the marketing, import, export and quality assurance of animal and fish genetic materials4. The Centre operates 15 animal genetic resource centres and a nationally accredited bull stud57.
Seeds, plant and animal health, inputs and standards
Seeds and Plant Act and Plant Variety Protection ActAct No. 3 of 2007, Cap. 41, and Plant Variety Protection Act 2014, Cap. 40Seeds Act published in Gazette No. 32 of 29 Jun 2007, PVP Act assented 21 Jun 2014 (Bill Tracker)
The Seeds and Plant Act establishes the National Seed Board, the National Variety Release Committee and the National Seed Certification Service, and repealed the Agricultural Seeds and Plant Act58. The Seeds and Plant Regulations 2016 cover variety release, the registration of seed merchants, certification, and seed import and export, and the Quality Declared Seed Regulations followed in 20205826. The Plant Variety Protection Act provides for plant breeders' rights without affecting the traditional exchange of seed among local communities5960.
Plant Protection and Health ActAct of 2015, Cap. 39Assent 11 Feb 2015
The Act sets up a Phytosanitary and Inspection Service under the Commissioner for Crop Protection to protect agricultural resources from harmful organisms, and controls the import and export of plants and plant products6162. Import and Export Regulations were issued in 202026.
Agricultural Chemicals (Control) ActAct No. 1 of 2007, Cap. 35Assent 24 May 2006, in force 5 Apr 2007, amended 2024 (assent 15 Jul 2024, commencement by statutory instrument)
The Act regulates the production, handling, import, export and marketing of agricultural chemicals, requires their registration and established the Agricultural Chemicals Board6364. The Agricultural Chemicals (Control) (Amendment) Act 2024 dissolves the Board on commencement and vests its functions and assets in the ministry under RAPEX. It comes into force on a date set by the Minister by statutory instrument65.
The Act establishes an Animal Feeds Committee and regulates the production, import, storage, export, sale, packaging and labelling of animal feeds, with feed inspectors and analysts66. The Veterinary Practitioners Bill, which replaces the Veterinary Surgeons Act, was assented to on the same day according to the Bill Tracker67.
Food and Drugs Act and Uganda National Bureau of Standards ActCap. 307 (1959) and Cap. 210 (1983)1959 and 1983
The Food and Drugs Act prohibits the adulteration of food, sets labelling rules, provides for the registration of food premises and has special rules for milk68. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act establishes the Bureau and the National Standards Council, which issue national standard specifications for commodities69.
National Biotechnology and Biosafety PolicyPolicy, Ministry responsible for science2008
The policy, for 2007/08 to 2011/12, aims at the safe application and development of biotechnology for food security and other goals70. No biosafety or genetic engineering Act appears in the ULII index or in the Parliament Bill Tracker list, and the status of a genetic engineering bill could not be verified2671.
Bank of Uganda ActStatute No. 5 of 1993, Cap. 541993
The Act constitutes the central bank, which sets the Central Bank Rate, supervises deposit-taking institutions and licenses credit reference bureaus2672. The Bank administers the Agricultural Credit Facility on behalf of the Government, and an Export Credit Guarantee Scheme Instrument was issued under the Act in 2010626.
Financial Institutions ActAct No. 2 of 2004, Cap. 57Assent 21 Mar 2004 (Bill Tracker), amended 2016 (assent 19 Jan 2016) and 2023 (assent 17 Aug 2023)
The Act revised and consolidated the law on financial institutions supervised by the Bank of Uganda and repealed the Financial Institutions Statute of 199373. The 2016 amendment provides for Islamic banking, bancassurance, agent banking, wider access to the credit reference bureau and reform of the Deposit Protection Fund7475. Agent Banking Regulations followed in 2017, Islamic Banking Regulations in 2018 and Credit Reference Bureau Regulations in 202226. The 2023 amendment repealed the provision on a Central Shari'ah Advisory Council76.
Recent changes: Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act 2016, assented to on 19 January 2016, and Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act 2023, assented to on 17 August 20237576.
Microfinance Deposit-Taking Institutions ActAct No. 5 of 2003, Cap. 582003, amended 2023 (assent 16 May 2023)
The Act provides for the licensing and supervision of microfinance deposit-taking institutions by the central bank and for a deposit protection fund, and bars these institutions from engaging directly in agriculture except to realise debts owed to them7778. Agent Banking Regulations for these institutions were issued in 202526.
Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders ActAct No. 18 of 2016, Cap. 61Assent 5 Jul 2016
The Act established the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority and provides for the licensing of tier 4 microfinance institutions and money lenders, a SACCO Stabilization Fund, a SACCO Savings Protection Scheme, a Central Financing Facility, self-help groups and commodity microfinance7910. SACCO Regulations followed in 202026. The Ministry of Finance reports that the Authority has been integrated into the Ministry as the Microfinance Regulation Department under a Tier 4 (Amendment) Act of 2025, and that 201 SACCOs were licensed in April 202680. No such Act appears in the Parliament Bill Tracker, where the 2024 amendment Bill is recorded as withdrawn on 23 April 202481.
Insurance ActAct No. 6 of 2017, Cap. 191Assent 23 May 2017
The Act continues the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda, provides for bancassurance and repealed the Insurance Act Cap. 21382. Insurance (Index Contracts) Regulations, which apply to weather and yield index products, were issued in 2020, and Takaful Regulations in 202526. In 2024 agricultural insurance covered 106,374 policies with premiums of UGX 13.39 billion83.
Security Interest in Movable Property ActAct No. 8 of 2019, Cap. 293Assent 31 Mar 2019, commencement by statutory instrument
The Act allows movable property, including crops and livestock, to be used as collateral and sets rules for the creation, perfection and priority of security interests, with a notice-based Register of Security Interests in Movable Property12. It repealed the Chattels Securities Act of 201484. The Uganda Registration Services Bureau operates the online registry under the Act and its 2019 Regulations85.
National Payment Systems ActAct No. 15 of 2020, Cap. 59Assent 29 Jul 2020 (scanned Act, the Bill Tracker gives 29 Sep 2020)
The Act regulates payment systems and payment service providers and the issuance of electronic money under the oversight of the Bank of Uganda86. Mobile money had 59.84 million registered customers in July 202687.
Uganda Development BankUganda Development Bank Act 1972 (Cap. 56 of the 2000 edition), company incorporated on 31 Mar 20001972 and 2000
The 1972 Act established the Uganda Development Bank and a Credit Guarantee Fund to finance, among other purposes, agricultural modernisation88. The bank's undertaking was vested in a company in 2002, and Uganda Development Bank Limited, incorporated under the Companies Act on 31 March 2000, is owned by the Ministry of Finance2689. The Government had capitalised it with UGX 1.6 trillion by June 202690.
Agricultural Credit FacilityGovernment scheme administered by the Bank of Uganda (Memorandum of Agreement 2018)Established 2009, first loans in 2010
Under the facility, participating financial institutions lend for agricultural production, processing and trade and the Government, through the Bank of Uganda, contributes 50% of each eligible loan at no interest to the lender6. Terms include a maximum of UGX 5 billion per borrower (UGX 10 billion for grain trade), tenors of up to eight years with up to three years' grace, and an interest cap of 12% a year for the final borrower, or 15% for grain working capital6. Cumulative disbursements reached UGX 1.52 trillion for 15,313 projects by 30 June 20266.
Parish Development ModelGovernment strategy, PDM Secretariat at the Ministry of Local GovernmentLaunched February 2022
The Parish Development Model is organised in seven pillars, led by agricultural value-chain development and financial inclusion, with the parish as the lowest planning and delivery unit16. Funds reach households through PDM SACCOs formed from enterprise groups of 10 to 30 members, and the Parish Revolving Fund is a capitalisation grant to these SACCOs for lending to the production, processing, marketing and storage of agricultural products1692. Each of the 10,594 parishes was to receive UGX 100 million a year from FY2022/2392. Public funds flow under the Public Finance Management Act 2015, and no PDM-specific statute was found26.
Agricultural Credit Facility, position at 30 June 2026
Item
Value
Loans disbursed since inception (number)
15,313
Cumulative disbursements (UGX billion)
1,519.11
of which Government contribution (UGX billion)
771.47
of which lenders' contribution (UGX billion)
747.64
Government remittances to the facility (UGX billion)
391.11
Repayments by lenders (UGX billion)
483.43
Non-performing assets ratio (%)
3.5
Disbursements in FY2025/26 (UGX billion)
288.30
Grain trade, share of cumulative value (%)
41.23
On-farm projects, share of cumulative value (%)
36.01
Companies and groups, share of cumulative value (%)
74
Source: BoU — Bank of Uganda progress report. The FY2026/27 Budget Speech gives different totals (Government investment UGX 371.7 billion and cumulative disbursement of UGX 1.35 trillion to more than 14,000 beneficiaries)90.
8.4
Strategies and plans
Uganda Vision 2040National vision2012
Vision 2040 aims to transform Uganda from a predominantly peasant and low-income country into a competitive upper-middle-income country within 30 years, and prioritises agricultural development, agro-processing and better access to credit, markets and productive resources94.
Third and Fourth National Development PlansNDP III 2020/21–2024/25 and NDP IV 2025/26–2029/302020 and March 2025
NDP III organised public action in programmes, including an Agro-Industrialisation programme whose targets for 2024/25 included raising processed agricultural exports from US$0.935 billion to US$2.7 billion and cutting the share of households in subsistence from 68.9% to 55%9530. NDP IV aims at higher household incomes, full monetisation of the economy and employment, and costs the Agro-Industrialisation programme at UGX 32,349 billion, 5.4% of the plan, with full operationalisation of the seven PDM pillars and annual capitalisation of the Parish Revolving Fund20. The programme was allocated UGX 2,264.72 billion in the FY2026/27 budget80.
National Agriculture PolicyMAAIF policySeptember 2013
The policy's overall objective is food and nutrition security and higher household incomes through productivity, value addition, employment and trade7. A section on agricultural finance commits the ministry and financial sector players to develop policies, products and services for short, medium and long-term finance along the value chain, including warehouse receipts and SACCOs7.
Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan 2015/16–2019/20MAAIF plan2016
The plan aimed to move the sector from subsistence to commercial agriculture through four priorities, namely production and productivity, access to critical farm inputs, markets, value addition and quality, and agricultural service institutions96.
The policy seeks a competitive, equitable and sustainable coffee subsector through seven objectives covering production, research, coffee extension, farmer organisations, regulation, value addition and domestic consumption8. It records production of about 3 million bags a year over four decades, an average holding of 0.33 hectares per household and yields of 369 kg per hectare against 3,500 kg in experiments8.
The policy sets a framework for seed research, capacity along the seed value chain, quality control and knowledge management, and notes that informal sources supply 85% of the seed planted98.
The policy targeted fertiliser use of at least 50 kg of nutrients per hectare a year by 2020 and a reduction of nutrient loss through erosion by 30 kg per hectare a year99. World Bank data show fertiliser consumption of 3.2 kg per hectare of arable land in 2024100.
National Agricultural Extension Strategy 2016/17–2020/21MAAIF strategy2016
The strategy aims at a sustainable, farmer-centred extension system101. By 30 June 2025, 4,044 extension posts were filled, 43.9% of the staffing norm, giving one extension worker for 1,800 farming households against a standard of one for 50030.
Uganda National Land PolicyMinistry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development2013
The policy aims at the efficient, equitable and optimal use and management of land for poverty reduction, wealth creation and socio-economic development9.
National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023–2028Ministry of Finance and Bank of Uganda2023, following the first strategy of 2017
The second strategy targets an increase in access to formal financial institutions from 66% of adults in 2021 to 75% in 2028, and in rural areas from 61% to 70%, and includes fast-tracking an agricultural finance policy102. Its steering committee is chaired by the Minister of Finance, and the overall target is financial inclusion of at least 85% by 2028103. FinScope put inclusion at 81% in 2023104.
NDP IV programme cost, FY2025/26–FY2029/30 (UGX billion)
32,349
Source: MoFPED BMAU · NDPIV — Targets are NDP III outcome targets as listed in the Ministry of Finance budget monitoring report and are not achievements. The NDP IV cost is the plan's costing, not an appropriation.
8.5
International commitments and trade
Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade AreaAfrican UnionSigned 21 Mar 2018, ratified 20 Nov 2018, instrument deposited 9 Feb 2019
Uganda signed the AfCFTA Agreement on 21 March 2018, ratified it on 20 November 2018 and deposited the instrument on 9 February 2019105. The African Union status list of 22 May 2026 records 49 ratifications105.
East African Community and COMESARegional economic communitiesEAC Treaty in force 7 Jul 2000, Customs Union Protocol signed 2 Mar 2004
Uganda is one of eight Partner States of the East African Community, whose Treaty entered into force on 7 July 2000 and whose Customs Union Protocol was signed on 2 March 2004106. It is also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the COMESA Treaty (Implementation) Act No. 16 of 2017, published on 25 August 2017, gives the Treaty the force of law in Uganda107108.
AI-assisted content, human-reviewed: This page was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by a human editor. (last review: October 2026) Despite review, errors or outdated values may remain; please verify critical figures against the linked primary sources before relying on them. Nothing here is investment, legal or financial advice.
