Published on 27/12/2024
Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze, has emphasized the significance of Uganda hosting the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Assembly on Agriculture. He noted that the summit, scheduled for January 9–11, 2025, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, will elevate Uganda’s international standing as a conference destination and symbol of peace in Africa.
Showcasing Uganda on the Global Stage
Addressing Parliament on December 19, 2024, Tumwebaze revealed that the summit, themed “Sustainable Agri-food Systems for a Healthy and Prosperous Africa,” will attract over 2,000 participants, including 49 African Heads of State.
“Hosting another major international event shortly after the Non-Aligned Movement and G77 summits will enhance Uganda’s reputation as a stable and credible nation. This will boost investment and tourism while showcasing our leadership in fostering peace and development in the region,” Tumwebaze explained.
Key Meetings at the Summit: The summit will feature three main sessions:
- Discussions between Ministers of Agriculture and relevant experts.
- Joint meetings of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture.
- Deliberations by African Heads of State.
Economic and Strategic Benefits
Tumwebaze outlined several benefits of hosting the AU summit, including:
- Shaping continental agricultural policies for the next decade, culminating in the Kampala Declaration 2035.
- Promoting Uganda’s international credibility and influence.
- Providing economic opportunities for the private sector, with substantial revenue expected from hospitality and related industries.
- Generating increased tax revenue for the government.
Additionally, side meetings will address pressing issues such as the role of women and youth in agriculture and challenges related to refugees.
Concerns Over Halting of Goat Project
During the same session, Nakaseke South MP Luttamaguzi Ssemakula raised concerns about the abrupt suspension of the National Goats Project, which had aimed to empower youth and women in cattle corridor districts.
Luttamaguzi stated, “The project was a significant initiative in my district, but it stopped abruptly despite substantial funds being invested. Youth in the affected regions are demanding answers.”
Ministerial Responses
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja admitted being unaware of the project, stating, “I’ve only heard of the goat program in Karamoja under my office but not a national initiative.”
Tumwebaze clarified that the Ministry of Agriculture had not managed the program for three years. However, he committed to investigating, noting that the project was linked to a directive by President Museveni to Sembeguya Estates Uganda Ltd (SEUL) for goat breeding.
Audit Highlights Mismanagement
In October 2024, the Public Accounts Committee raised alarms over mismanagement of funds in the National Goats Project. According to the Auditor General’s report, UGX 7.4 million and UGX 400,000 were spent on each exotic and local goat, respectively. However, 409 out of 850 distributed goats died within the first week of delivery.
The project, implemented by SEUL, had aimed to distribute 2,902 indigenous goats and seven imported breeds in seven districts, including Nakaseke, Mubende and Nakasongola. Physical inspections revealed high mortality rates, raising questions about procurement practices and accountability.
As Uganda prepares for the AU summit, the government faces pressure to address concerns about agricultural initiatives while leveraging the event to strengthen its global standing.
Extra-Ordinary Summit on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programmes in Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA
What: The African Union Commission is organizing the Extraordinary Summit on the Post Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The Extraordinary Summit will be hosted by the Government of Uganda.
When: Thursday, 09 –11 January 2025
Where: Kampala, Uganda- Speke Resort Conference Centre,
Media opportunities:
The opening session will be open to the media coverage. The official programme includes:
- The opening session at the level of African Union Heads of State and Governments (African Union Assembly) will be open for media.
- Opening statements by African Union Heads of State and Governments
- Statement by the Chairperson of the AU, and the Chairperson of the AU Commission (AUC);
- Invited high level dignitaries, among others.
- Group photo
- Media interview
Organizers: The event is organized jointly by the African Union Commission, Department of Agriculture Rural Development Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) and African Union Development Agency- New Partnership African Development (AUDA-NEPAD)
Media opportunities:
Dignitaries will deliver statements on the consideration of the Kampala Declaration, the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Ten-Year Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035); the draft Statute of Africa Food Safety Agency; and the report on selection of African Union Centres of Excellence for Research and Training in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystems Management.
Background:
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has been crucial in driving agricultural transformation across Africa since its inception in 2003. The program is aimed at increasing food security and nutrition, reducing rural poverty, creating employment, and contributing to economic development while safeguarding the environment. CAADP aims for a 6% annual growth rate in the agricultural sector, with African Union member states allocating at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture.
Building on the Maputo Declaration (2003-2013), the 2014 Malabo CAADP Declaration renewed commitment to CAADP and established ambitious goals for 2025, including eradicating hunger, reducing malnutrition, tripling intra-African trade, and building resilience of livelihoods and production systems. The Malabo Declaration underscored the importance of mutual accountability through agricultural biennial reviews and recognized the essential role of related sectors like infrastructure and rural development. During the Thirty-Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in February 2024, the Heads of State and Government (Assembly/AU/Dec.900(XXXVII) expressed concern that the continent is not on track to meet the Malabo CAADP goals and targets by 2025. This has spurred a call for the development of a post-Malabo CAADP agenda to build resilient agri-food systems.
It is in this context that the An Extraordinary Summit of The African Union Assembly of Heads of States and Governments is scheduled for January 9th to 11th 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, to deliberate on the post-Malabo CAADP agenda to consider the draft Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan with its associated draft Kampala Declaration on Advancing Africa’s Inclusive Agrifood Systems Transformation for Sustainable Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity”.
The Objectives of the Summit:
The convening of the extraordinary session of the Assembly is specifically to:
- Endorse the draft Kampala CAADP Declaration. The draft declaration provides a vision for transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems for the period: 2026-2035.
- Endorse Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan: 2026-2035. This plan provides details on how to achieve the goals and targets in the draft Kampala CAADP Declaration.
Format and Structure of the Summit:
The Extraordinary Summit will start with a one-day meeting of the Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development Water and Environment on the 9th of January 2025, to be followed by Joint Session of the Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment together with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the 10th of January 2025.
The sessions will feature two presentations the: i) draft CAADP Ten-Year Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035); ii) draft Kampala CAADP Declaration and both will be done in closed sessions. The Ministerial sessions will be structured to encourage inclusive and interactive conversations and dialogue among the Ministers, as well as between the Ministers and key strategic stakeholders. At the same time, it will enable the Ministers to review the strategic documents presented to them for their consideration and recommendations to the Assembly.
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government will convene on the 11th of January 2025 to endorse the: i) draft Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035); ii) draft Kampala CAADP Declaration.
Participants:
The Extraordinary Summit on the CAADP Agenda will be attended by Heads of States and Government of the African Union Member State, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, PRCs, Ministers and Experts in-Charge of Agriculture (forestry, fisheries, crops and livestock), Rural Development, Water and Environment, RECs, Youth, Women, Non-State Actors, Media, Academia and Development Partners
For further information, please contact:
- Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa – Director of Agriculture and Rural Development Directorate (ARD) African Union Commission Email: BahiigwaG@africa-union.org
- Ms Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at the African Union NEPAD Email: estherinef@nepad.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Ms. Peace Lydia Mutuwa, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission; Email mutuwap@africa-union.org
- Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate; AU Commission Tel: 0911-630631; Email: molalett@africa-union.org
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
