The Buganda Kingdom has officially launched “Ssemaduuka,” a groundbreaking retail initiative aimed at delivering high-quality agricultural and livestock products to farmers and consumers across the kingdom through a network of modern retail shops.
This initiative, launched in partnership with Stanbic Bank Uganda, is set to transform the agricultural landscape by providing farmers with affordable inputs and financial services to improve productivity and sustainability.
The Ssemaduuka project tackles longstanding challenges in the agricultural sector, such as inflated prices, counterfeit seeds, substandard tools, and overpriced veterinary supplies, which have hindered farmers’ success. By providing certified, trusted products at fair prices, the initiative promises to create a reliable, formal retail system that farmers can depend on.
The Ssemaduuka initiative will be launched in four key counties of the Buganda Kingdom: Buweekula, Ssingo, Mawokota, and Buddu, which were chosen for their agricultural prominence and the pressing need for high-quality farming inputs. The initiative seeks to ensure that communities across Buganda have access to premium products that enhance productivity while promoting healthier and more sustainable farming practices.
Speaking to the media on April 15, 2025, Haji Twaha Kawaase, the First Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, emphasized the initiative’s role in empowering farmers.
He revealed that the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to improving livelihoods through agriculture, ensuring that His Majesty’s subjects receive affordable and non-exploitative services.
’’For years, our farmers have been burdened with fake or poor-quality products at inflated prices. This new initiative aims to change that by offering trusted, certified products at fair prices through a reliable retail structure,” Kawaase stated.
Hon. Hajji Amiisi Kakomo, Buganda’s Minister for Agriculture, Cooperatives, Trade, and Fisheries, also emphasized the initiative’s goal of strengthening cooperative movements within Buganda.
Hajji Kakomo said that the initiative is expected to drive job creation, increase agricultural productivity, and build stronger local economies within the kingdom.
’’Ssemaduuka shops will be more than retail points; they will be hubs for knowledge sharing, training, and collaboration in sustainable farming practices,’’ he noted.
Stanbic Bank CEO, Mr. Paul Muganwa, commended the Buganda Kingdom’s commitment to development through cooperative models and reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to supporting farmers with affordable credit facilities, with a particular focus on empowering women’s groups and grassroots farming cooperatives.
“We are proud to support Buganda’s vision of economic empowerment, especially for the most vulnerable groups. Providing accessible financing to local communities is a vital step toward building a resilient and inclusive agricultural economy,” Muganwa stated.
The Ssemaduuka initiative is fully aligned with the Buganda Kingdom’s broader vision of promoting economic empowerment, food security, and social development. As the project progresses, it is expected to expand, creating a ripple effect across Buganda and potentially influencing the wider agricultural sector in Uganda.
As the kingdom takes bold steps toward modernizing agriculture, it sets a powerful example for other regions in Uganda and beyond.
The Ssemaduuka initiative is more than just a network of shops; it is a blueprint for sustainable agricultural development, setting the stage for a brighter, more prosperous future for Buganda’s farmers.
