JINJA, UGANDA – The 32nd National Agricultural Show 2026 officially opened at the Jinja Show Grounds with a strong national call for Ugandans to embrace agriculture as a driver of wealth creation, job creation, and socio-economic transformation.
The event was officiated by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and launched the Wealth Creation Village, a special exhibition platform highlighting government interventions, agricultural innovations, and opportunities aimed at transforming livelihoods across the country.
In his message delivered by the Prime Minister, President Museveni described Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) as a cornerstone of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda. He particularly commended the programme and its Chief Coordinator, Gen. Salim Saleh, for their dedicated efforts in increasing household incomes and enabling millions of Ugandans to transition from subsistence farming into the commercial money economy.
The President noted that the National Agricultural Show remains a unique platform that brings together all players in the agricultural value chain, including farmers, researchers, investors, development partners, and policymakers. He urged Ugandans to seize the opportunities presented by the exhibition to learn modern farming practices, embrace technology, and improve productivity.
President Museveni further applauded the Parish Development Model, working alongside Operation Wealth Creation, for accelerating the government’s mission of moving communities from poverty to prosperity. He also extended gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continued contribution to Uganda’s agricultural development and economic growth.
Speaking at the event, the State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, praised Operation Wealth Creation for complementing the ministry’s efforts to support farmers and strengthen agricultural production, particularly among smallholder farmers.
Representing the Chief Coordinator of OWC, Brig. Gen. GK Muwanguzi encouraged Ugandans to invest in farming as a sustainable pathway to wealth creation. He emphasized that government programmes continue to provide farmers with access to quality seedlings, agricultural inputs, value-addition facilities, and modern technologies essential for increasing production and productivity.
He urged farmers to embrace innovation and commercial agriculture, noting that the future belongs to those who invest in productive enterprises today.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Mr. Dick Kamuganga, Director of the Uganda National Farmers Federation; Ms. Asha Mary Orichiriza, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; H.E. Sasayama Takuya, Ambassador of Japan to Uganda; H.E. Tophace Kaahwa, Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, Commander NCOA Jinja, alongside exhibitors, farmers, and development partners.
