ACTADE believes that for trade empowerment to happen, people participating in trade activities have to come together for better production, marketing, processing, and bargaining power. In 2020, ACTADE focused on understanding the operation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Self-help Initiatives such as VSLAs, and Farmers’ Cooperatives in eight (8) districts of the Central region of Uganda, namely; Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Gomba, Mityana, Mubende, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi. The ultimate goal was to understand the groups’ activities, objectives and how they could be supported to engage effectively in trade. These groups have been supported with knowledge and information group formation and management, record keeping, on farm and post-harvest handling of agricultural produce; livestock management and value addition. Platforms for groups to engage with duty bearers were established. The Community Development Officers (CDOs), Agricultural Extension Officers, District Commercial Officers and Veterinary Officers willingly utilized these platforms to provide information on government programmes such as the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Fund (UWEP), PWD funds and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).

Additionally ACTADE mobilized production and trade related issues for integration in the plans and budgets at the Local Government level for the FY 2021/2022 and continued to advocate for increased budget allocations for trade and its supporting sectors like agriculture.

Members of Twezimbe Women’s Group in Kyamulibwa. In the photo on the left, they were clearing the land on which they will grow tomatoes and cabbage under the FAO-funded project.