Africa Africa UGrowth 24 December 2024 0 Comments

PostBank Uganda, FSME train over 500 entrepreneurs in Agri-SME skills development program

Martin Lukyamuzi (R) Regional Head of Distribution-Greater Kampala, PostBank Uganda, together with John Walugembe (L) FSME, Executive Director with a participant during the final Agri SME Skills Development Program 2024 Cohort where entrepreneurs in Coffee were advised on Coffee value addition as a gateway to regional trade opportunities. The event was at UIRI in Nakawa today 23rd December 2024.

KAMPALA, Uganda—Entrepreneurs in Uganda’s agricultural sector have been advised to adopt value-adding practices to capitalize on lucrative local and regional trade opportunities.

The call was made during the climax of a four-day Agri SME Skills Development Program facilitated by PostBank Uganda in partnership with the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME).

“Initially the program targeted to train over 300 beneficiaries countrywide, but we have surpassed the number and managed to train over 530 participants,” said Martin Lukyamuzi, PostBank Uganda’s Regional Head of Distribution-Greater Kampala.

The program, launched in 2022, aims to empower Ugandans through financial literacy and skills development. The sessions involve technical training on post-harvest handling, good manufacturing practices, and value addition.

“At PostBank, we are committed to fostering prosperity for Ugandans. By upskilling entrepreneurs in the different economic sectors like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing among others, we are enabling these businesses to boost their operations, which will enable them to produce products and services that meet local and international market standards, improving their market base and tapping into the enormous trade opportunities within the region,” Lukyamuzi said.

Martin Lukyamuzi (4th L), PostBank Uganda’s Regional Head of Distribution-Greater Kampala, and John Walugembe (6th L), FSME Executive Director, pose with officials and coffee entrepreneurs who participated in the Agri SME Skills Development Program 2024 Cohort at UIRI in Nakawa, Kampala, on December 23, 2024. The program emphasized value addition as a key to unlocking regional trade opportunities in the coffee sector.

John Walugembe, Executive Director of FSME, commended PostBank Uganda for supporting businesses through initiatives like the Agri SME Skills Development Program.

“PostBank Uganda has been at the forefront of supporting businesses to realize their full potential through forums like the Agri SME Skills Development Program where businesses gain skills that not only help them manage their finances, but guide them on how best to adopt value addition so that they can attain the business acumen required for them to thrive in a completive and dynamic business environment within Uganda and other international trade markets,” Walugembe said.

The program has reached entrepreneurs across the country, including those in Soroti, Fort Portal, Arua, and Kampala. The climax of the 2024 cohort focused on coffee traders in Kampala.