EcoSkills Initiative intensified its efforts in Kyegegwa District by distributing cocoa seedlings and training farmers in sustainable agricultural practices to improve livelihoods and promote climate resilience.

During a community outreach held in Kiguya Village, Kyegegwa District, the organisation distributed cocoa seedlings to over 60 farmers, targeting improved household incomes through the adoption of high-value cash crops.

The outreach also focused on equipping farmers with practical knowledge, including financial literacy, family planning, environmental conservation, and small-scale farming techniques.

Speaking during the engagement, the Founder of EcoSkills Initiative, Maxiline Kansabe urged farmers to shift their focus from subsistence farming to more profitable ventures.

“Farmers should begin to think about the value of what they plant. It is not just about farming, but about the output and income it can generate,” she said.

Kansabe noted that the initiative was informed by reports indicating that Kyegegwa is among the poorest districts in the Tooro region, despite having a largely agricultural population.

She emphasized that crops like cocoa, which currently fetch between  Shs30,000 and Shs35,000 per kilogram at maturity present a viable pathway to improved livelihoods when properly managed.

The training session on small-scale farming was led by Sserunkuma Venansio, an expert in crop seedlings, who encouraged farmers to make productive use of limited land and available resources.

“You don’t need a large piece of land to farm successfully. With proper planning and use of available materials, even small-scale farming can be profitable,” he explained.

Farmers were also encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly practices, including recycling materials like bottles for planting instead of allowing them to pollute the environment.

The training further addressed environmental challenges affecting the district, particularly deforestation and poor waste disposal. Participants were guided on alternative eco-friendly practices, such as using maize residues for cooking instead of cutting down trees.

Philip Alihika, a project coordinator, emphasized the importance of planning in farming and household management.

“Everything begins with proper planning. Decision-making within families should also be inclusive to improve overall welfare,” he advised.

Local leaders welcomed the initiative, with Rukanga Asiimwe, Chairperson of Kiguya Village, expressing gratitude.

“We thank EcoSkills Initiative for supporting our farmers. We request more trainings like this to help uplift our community,” he said.

In addition, the initiative extended support to vulnerable households by donating clothes to community members, particularly single mothers and families in need.

In her speech, Kansabe also expressed gratitude to all individuals and well-wishers who contributed clothes and other forms of support, noting that their generosity played a key role in restoring dignity and hope within the community. She further advised farmers to put into practice what they were taught during the training for the good of the community and environment.

“Real change begins when knowledge is put into action. What we practice today will shape the future of our families, our community, and our environment,” she said.

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Uganda’s remittance inflows reached Shs9.25 trillion ($2.5 billion) in 2025, the Bank of Uganda has revealed, showing the growing importance of diaspora contributions to the country’s economy.

The figures were disclosed during the launch of an interactive remittance dashboard developed by the central bank in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development in East Africa, a tool expected to improve the accuracy, frequency, and accessibility of remittance data.

Launching the platform, Deputy Governor Augustus Nuwagaba described remittances as a critical pillar of Uganda’s economic stability and noted that they continue to rival traditional foreign exchange earners.

“Remittances are a lifeline. They are more than statistics, they represent the sacrifices of Ugandans abroad who work to earn this money,” Nuwagaba said.

He added, “They provide for families and households both formally and informally and have proven to be a sustainable source of foreign currency inflows, competing with other sources such as coffee and tourism, which supports our Balance of Payments.”

The new dashboard stems from an enhanced data collection framework that expands coverage to include remittance service providers across the financial sector, including mobile money platforms and fintech channels. This shift has significantly improved visibility into flows that were previously not captured.

According to Nuwagaba, the improved methodology has already led to the discovery of substantial additional inflows.

“This tool has already helped us capture an additional US$1 billion in remittances, significantly higher than previous estimates of around $1.5 billion, showing that inflows in 2025 reached approximately US$2.5 billion,” he said.

He added that beyond increasing the headline figures, the new system provides deeper insights into the origin, transmission channels and usage of remittances, which are essential for informed policy decisions.

“It is not simply a larger number but it is more accurate because it includes information on where the remittances come from, how they are sent, plus what they are used for. That distinction matters enormously for policymaking,” he explained.

Nuwagaba also commended Ugandans living abroad for their continued support to the domestic economy, noting that remittance inflows play a stabilizing role in the foreign exchange market.

“These remittances can be a wonder in building a country’s inflows which help stabilize the foreign exchange markets and relieve exchange rate pressures, which is an important aspect of economic fundamentals,” he said.

The dashboard replaces a system that relied largely on annual surveys and aggregated submissions from commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaus, which often came with limited detail and significant delays. Under the new approach introduced in May 2025, data is collected more frequently and at transaction level, improving both timeliness and reliability.

The platform will be updated monthly and will provide stakeholders with accessible insights into both inbound and outbound remittance trends. The existing Annual Personal Transfers Survey will continue to complement the system by capturing non cash and informal transfers that may not pass through formal financial channels.

The central bank emphasized that while the data currently published is subject to refinement as more inputs are incorporated, the new system brings in transparency and evidence-based economic planning in Uganda’s financial sector.

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Officials from UN Women and Equity Bank Uganda in a photo after the launch of the partnership this morning at the bank’s head office, Church House kampala

Equity Bank Uganda Limited has partnered with the UN Women in a new agreement aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment and expanding access to inclusive financial services across Uganda.

The collaboration, signed on Tuesday at the bank’s boardroom at Church House along Kampala Road, sets out a two-year strategic framework running from April 2026 to March 2028. It will focus on equipping women, particularly those in underserved and refugee-hosting communities, with financial tools, business skills and access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Under the partnership, the two institutions will jointly roll out programmes designed to improve financial literacy, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion while widening access to affordable financial products and services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, UN Women Deputy Country Representative Adekemi Ndieli underscored the importance of private sector partnerships in advancing gender equality.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that women especially those in underserved and vulnerable communities have the tools, resources and opportunities to thrive economically. By working together, we can accelerate progress toward inclusive growth and sustainable development,” Ndieli said.

On behalf of the bank, Managing Director Gift Shoko said the initiative aligns with Equity’s broader mission of promoting inclusive finance.

“Equity Bank Uganda is proud to partner with UN Women to dismantle barriers that prevent women from achieving economic autonomy. Our commitment goes beyond financial products. We are offering training, digital literacy and clean energy solutions to ensure women can compete and succeed in today’s economy,” Shoko said.

He added, “We believe inclusive finance is the foundation of inclusive growth. Together, we will empower women to transform their enterprises and their communities.”

The partnership will focus on expanding access to savings, credit and digital banking solutions for women and underserved populations, alongside delivering financial literacy and entrepreneurship training. It will also support women-led agribusinesses and cooperatives, promote clean energy financing for low-income and rural households, and strengthen social protection and resilience in refugee-hosting areas.

As part of the arrangement, UN Women will provide technical expertise, policy guidance and community mobilization support, while Equity Bank Uganda will deliver tailored financial products, training and advisory services. The implementation will be guided by a joint work plan with clear targets and measurable outcomes.

The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of women across Uganda by improving access to finance, expanding business opportunities and strengthening their participation in economic development.

It will also support women entrepreneurs to tap into opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, enabling them to access wider regional markets, scale their enterprises and play a greater role in driving economic growth.

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