MUGABE R
Apple farmers in Rukungiri District, united under the Rukungiri District Apple Farmers Cooperative, have called on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to provide support for value addition in the apple farming sector. The plea, which came during the launch of a demonstration farm on Friday, 4th April 2025, was made by Dr. Alex Kamugisha, the Ministry of Health and Cooperative Chairperson, at his orchard in Buhunga Sub County.
The farmers are seeking the government’s intervention in advancing the sector by providing modern value addition equipment, including facilities for producing apple-based beverages. Dr. Kamugisha highlighted that while apple farming in the district was initially launched by the President, the industry faces high production costs and limited value-added products. He emphasized the need for government support to sustain and expand the apple farming business.
“Apple farming was introduced in Rukungiri as a high-value fruit crop, but the high costs of production have become a challenge,” said Dr. Kamugisha. “We are looking to develop an apple juice beverage firm, but without support for value addition, the industry remains underdeveloped. We call on the President to assist in boosting this industry.”
Echoing this call, Stella Karibwende, a farmer with a demonstration farm in Buyanja Town Council, expressed the critical need for the President’s intervention. She underlined the benefits of apples for local nutrition but noted the high costs of maintaining the orchards and the lack of value-added products.
“Apple farming is extremely beneficial, but it is expensive to maintain. We need support to ensure sustainability and to maximize the potential of apple farming,” Karibwende remarked.
Jim Bitwiire, an apple farmer from Rwampara District, also lent his voice to the cause, emphasizing the substantial local market for apples. However, he pointed out the growing reliance on imported apples from South Africa, which are small in size and often coated with pesticides. He called for President Museveni’s support to reduce dependence on these imports and boost the local apple industry.
“There is a large market for apples in Uganda, but we face competition from small, pesticide-coated imports from South Africa. If the President could support us, we would not only meet local demand but also be able to export our apples,” Bitwiire explained.
Dr. Rolland Agaba, an agricultural advisory expert from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) Kachwekano in Kabale, shared insights on the challenges faced by the sector. He noted that while there is a market for apple-based products, local production is insufficient to meet the demand for advanced value addition.
“We have not yet achieved the necessary production levels to support a full-fledged value addition industry,” said Dr. Agaba. “However, local apple juice and wine production could provide a viable opportunity for value addition, which would benefit the entire sector.”
Ongom Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe, the Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), also addressed the challenge of low apple production. He emphasized that while the potential for growth is immense, improvements in production levels are necessary to attract meaningful support from the government.
“We are aware of the potential of apple farming in Rukungiri, but to qualify for government support, we need to improve production. With the President’s help, we can unlock the true potential of this sector,” Ahimbisibwe stated.
The demonstration farm launch and the farmers’ call for action marked a critical moment in the ongoing effort to strengthen the apple industry in Rukungiri. The cooperative believes that with presidential support, including investment in value addition equipment, the apple farming sector can thrive and become a significant contributor to Uganda’s agricultural economy.
The farmers are hopeful that their appeals will not fall on deaf ears and that with the right support, apple farming can become a model for sustainable and profitable agriculture in Uganda.
