MINISTRY LAUNCHES NATIONAL OILSEEDS PROJECT TO BOOST RURAL LIVELIHOODS AND MARKET ACCESS

The Ministry of Local Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, has launched the National Oilseeds Project (NOSP), a multi-billion-shilling initiative aimed at transforming the oilseeds sector and improving access roads across 81 districts in Uganda.

The official launch took place on Wednesday 25^th June, 2025 at Omwonylee Primary School in Otuke District, with hundreds of stakeholders and farmers in attendance. The project is supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and several other international partners.

Under the project, government will rehabilitate and construct 2,500 kilometres of Community Access Roads (CARs) to improve connectivity between farming communities and markets. The roads are expected to ease transportation challenges and reduce the cost of doing business for rural farmers.

Speaking during the event as guest of honor, Hon. Susan Jolly Abeja, Member of Parliament for Otuke, expressed gratitude to the government for choosing Otuke as one of the beneficiaries of the project.

 “This is a timely intervention that will greatly benefit our farmers. The roads will eliminate middlemen and help farmers sell their produce directly to buyers,” she said.

The NOSP is designed to accelerate the commercialization of key oilseeds value chains such as sunflower, soybean, sesame, and groundnuts. It aims to improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers by supporting both production and market infrastructure.

Commissioner for Local Economic Development, Mr. Anthony Namara, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, said the project aligns with the Parish Development Model, particularly Pillar 1 (Production, Storage, Processing and Marketing) and Pillar 2 (Infrastructure and Economic Services).

“This is part of government’s broader plan to improve household incomes and livelihoods. Through the NOSP, we are not just building roads, but creating pathways for economic transformation in rural communities,” Namara noted.

The NOSP, which started in July 2021 and runs until September 2028, is jointly funded by IFAD, the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Heifer International, Kuehne Stiftung Foundation, and the Government of Uganda.

The project has two main components: value chain development, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, and market infrastructure, led by the Ministry of Local Government. So far, 1,034 kilometres of access roads are already under construction in selected districts.

Districts represented at the launch included Soroti, Lira, Apac, Dokolo, Serere, Kaberamaido, Oyam, Amuria, Amolatar, Alebtong, Otuke, Ngora, Katakwi, Kwania, Kapelebyong, Kalaki, Kole, Mbale, Bukedea, Kumi, Manafwa, Pallisa, Sironko, Bulambuli, Namayingo, Bugiri, Tororo, Busia, Jinja, Iganga, Mayuge, Bugweri, Budaka, Buyende, Namutumba, Kaliro, and Kamuli.

With its focus on infrastructure and agriculture, the National Oilseeds Project is expected to make a significant impact on rural development and poverty reduction in Uganda.

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By Abraham Ekwaru, Communication Officer Soroti