Officials launch the solution in Kampala on June 16
By Our Reporter
Uganda’s decision to allocate Shs 2.26 trillion to the agro-industrialization programme in the 2026/27 national budget, the highest funding ever directed to the sector, highlights the importance of agriculture to the country’s economy.
The sector contributes about 24% to 26% of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs between 68% and 72% of the working population, accounts for more than 36% of export earnings and supplies raw materials for local manufacturing.
For Julian Adyeri Omalla, proprietor of Delight Uganda Limited, agriculture has been both a profession and a mission. However, despite growing maize, soybeans, sorghum, coffee and mangoes, limited access to affordable financing constrained the growth of her farming enterprise for years.
That changed when Delight Uganda Limited secured financing through the Large Scale Commercial Farmers Scheme (LSCF), a Government of Uganda initiative implemented through participating financial institutions, including Housing Finance Bank.
“The financing transformed our operations,” says Omalla. “Today, we have expanded from cultivating between 50 and 200 acres to nearly 2,000 acres.”
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Officials launch the solution in Kampala on June 16
By Our Reporter
Uganda’s decision to allocate Shs 2.26 trillion to the agro-industrialization programme in the 2026/27 national budget, the highest funding ever directed to the sector, highlights the importance of agriculture to the country’s economy.
The sector contributes about 24% to 26% of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs between 68% and 72% of the working population, accounts for more than 36% of export earnings and supplies raw materials for local manufacturing.
For Julian Adyeri Omalla, proprietor of Delight Uganda Limited, agriculture has been both a profession and a mission. However, despite growing maize, soybeans, sorghum, coffee and mangoes, limited access to affordable financing constrained the growth of her farming enterprise for years.
That changed when Delight Uganda Limited secured financing through the Large Scale Commercial Farmers Scheme (LSCF), a Government of Uganda initiative implemented through participating financial institutions, including Housing Finance Bank.
“The financing transformed our operations,” says Omalla. “Today, we have expanded from cultivating between 50 and 200 acres to nearly 2,000 acres.”
The financing enabled the company to invest in farm equipment, irrigation infrastructure and operational activities aimed at boosting productivity. Through an approved facility of Shs 5 billion, the company also acquired two tractors, improving efficiency and enabling year-round farming.
The expansion has had a significant impact beyond agricultural production. A workforce that once stood at about 30 employees has grown to as many as 300 workers during peak seasons, creating employment opportunities and supporting hundreds of households in surrounding communities.
The farm also supplies seedlings to local farmers, helping strengthen agricultural production in the area.
“The community is very happy with this initiative,” Omalla says. “It has created opportunities for many people.”
According to Doreen Nyiramugisha, Head of Marketing and Communications at Housing Finance Bank, the Large Scale Commercial Farmers Scheme supports private large-scale farmers involved in priority value chains such as maize, soybeans, beans, sorghum and pastures.
Farmers operating on at least 50 acres can access financing for land preparation, planting, harvesting, irrigation, storage facilities, machinery and production equipment, with government covering the interest costs.
“The scheme provides interest free financing that enables farmers to increase productivity, expand operations, create jobs, and contribute to national food security,” Nyiramugisha says.
For Omalla, the experience demonstrates the power of combining determination with access to resources and strategic partnerships.