Every year, the European Union in Uganda embarks on a field tour to witness firsthand how EU taxpayers’ funds are transforming lives across the country. This year, Team Europe—which includes  Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy,  the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union—visited the Busoga region, stopping in Iganga district to meet the Kwagala Mothers Union Nakalama (KMUN) group.

KMUN is a beneficiary of Blessed Tree Planters and Agro Distributors (BTPAD), a key implementing partner of aBi Development under the Green Challenge Fund. BTPAD’s agro-transformation initiative has provided over 100,000 fruit tree seedlings to smallholder farmers, alongside certified seeds and seedlings for crops like maize, Hass avocado, macadamia, mango, coffee, and soybeans. Through these interventions, more than 70,000 farmers in the Busoga region have seen improvements in both yields and quality of life.

KMUN, originally a small 30-member women’s “Mary Go Round” savings group, has grown into a well-known community-based organisation with over 150 members engaged in various economic activities, such as piggery, kitchen gardening, and maize farming. With support from aBi Development and other partners, the group has expanded its operations, acquired land, and planted fruit and wood trees across five acres.

The impact of these efforts has been profound: Farmers have increased their yields by 50%, harvesting 8-14 bags per acre, each weighing 114-119 kg, thanks to improved UH5051 maize varieties. With Maksoy 3N & 6N varieties, farmers are now producing an average of 750 kg of soybeans per acre. Farmers have benefitted from training in good agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, and post-harvest handling, resulting in higher-quality produce.

This visit by Team Europe to Nakalama demonstrated the life-changing impact of agricultural investments on communities. Through collaborative efforts like these, EU-funded initiatives are building resilience, empowering women, and promoting sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path to prosperity.