Projects and Flagship Initiatives in Uganda

Our work in Uganda has led to transformative change at multiple levels, empowering farmers with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions.

By incorporating gender-responsive approaches, we've ensured inclusivity and equity in our interventions. The adoption of sustainable practices has not only improved livelihoods, but has also contributed to long-term food security. Through partnerships with local stakeholders and institutions, we've built a collaborative ecosystem that drives positive change across the country's whole food system. In Uganda, our work has led to healthier diets, increased resilience to climate challenges, more empowered farmers, and thriving ecosystems. As we continue our journey, we remain committed to fostering sustainable change and ensuring a brighter future for all Ugandans. 

Time Frame Project title Objective / rationale Donor(s)
2024–2028 BRAINS – Building Equitable Climate-Resilient African Bean and Insect Sectors Strengthen low-carbon, climate-resilient agriculture by scaling up CSA technologies, building inclusive agribusinesses, and enhancing resilience among women and youth across value chains Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
2023–2025 SIFSSA – Scaling Information and Financial Services for Smallholder Adaptation Expand the availability and uptake of climate risk management tools among smallholder farmers to improve adaptation Global Environment Facility (GEF)
2023–2026 BIOVISION – Agroecological Dairy Transformation in Mbarara Conduct foundational studies to identify ecological and socioeconomic barriers and opportunities for transitioning the dairy sector to agroecological practices Biovision Foundation
2023–2028 R4iCSA-II – Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Rice Initiative for Climate Smart Agriculture Demonstrate how Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) practices and waste recycling can improve farmer incomes, conserve wetlands, and reduce environmental harm IKEA Foundation
Time Frame Project Title Objective / rationale Donor(s)
2023–2025 GEMINI – GxExM Innovation for Climate Adaptation Link advanced breeding analytics with varietal field performance using genotyping, phenotyping, and modeling to enhance climate-smart crop development BMGF via University of California
2020–2025 Rapid breeding for reduced cooking time and enhanced nutritional quality in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (CROP/2018/132) Deliver common bean genotypes with 30% shorter cooking time and enhanced iron and zinc content; train African breeders in rapid breeding techniques ACIAR via University of Western Australia
2024–2028 PROSSIVA & Seed Equal Initiative Improve vegetatively propagated crop (VPC) seed systems for efficiency, productivity, and profitability in Africa BMGF – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
2018–2025 SGP-AVISA – Accelerated Varietal Improvement Enhance adoption of client-preferred cultivars, strengthen seed systems, and integrate data tools for breeding cereals and legumes in Africa BMGF via CIMMYT

Alliance Uganda office Launch and CGIAR Initiatives Open day (Uganda Initiatives) in Kampala, Uganda. © Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT/Owen Kimani

 CGIAR's Roots, Tubers & Bananas Research Program in East Africa. ©Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT /Neil Palmer

Bean plant assessments in Kisolo, SW Uganda.
©Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT/Neil Palmer

A pineapple farm in the Ntungamo district of Uganda. ©Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT/Neil Palmer
Time Frame Project Title Objective / rationale Donor(s)
2022–2025 Ukama Ustawi – Diversification for Resilient Agrifood Systems Support millions of smallholders to intensify and diversify maize-based systems, reduce risks, and build climate resilience in East and Southern Africa One CGIAR
2023–2028 EC – Healthy Diets 4 Africa Tackle malnutrition by diversifying food systems and enhancing nutrition security in Africa European Commission
2021–2025 IDH – Regenerative Agriculture for Coffee Farmer Resilience Increase income resilience for 20,000 coffee-farming families by integrating regenerative agriculture with diversified service delivery models IDH, IKEA Foundation
Time Frame Project Title Objective / rationale Donor(s)
2021–2026 1000FARMS Trials Platform Create a pan-African digital network for on-farm testing to generate real-time feedback and data to support breeding decisions BMGF
2023–2025 UNITED KINGDOM-MET OFFICE – ECREA Enhance regional climate resilience by co-developing Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) and agro-climatic advisories tailored to the bean sector UK MET Office
2022–2027 Italy–IFAD Climate Adaptation Project Design Support Provide long-term technical support for designing IFAD climate adaptation projects, particularly in low-income and fragile countries IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development
2021–2026 IAEA – Optimizing Nuclear Techniques for Vitamin A Assessment Use nuclear techniques to assess vitamin A status in population surveys and guide national nutrition strategies International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Time Frame Project Title Objective / rationale Donor(s)
2023–2026 D4RABs – Diversity for Resilient Agroforestry Banana Systems Promote biodiversity and reduce chemical use while improving food and income security in banana-based systems Biovision Foundation, Switzerland
2023–2027 WCDI – Advancing the HDP Nexus in Africa’s Seed Sector Strengthen climate resilience and food security by integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts in the seed sector Stichting Wageningen Research
2025–2027 South-South Knowledge Sharing: South Sudan–Uganda Foster resilient agroecosystems and improve rural livelihoods through collaborative seed system development Government of Uganda – NARO
2022–2025 Agrobiodiversity Action Plans Develop and implement strategies to conserve and restore agrobiodiversity for long-term sustainability GEF, European Union
2022–2025 NMBU – Bioversity for Opportunities and Livelihoods Strengthen rural development through knowledge-sharing on biodiversity and livelihoods Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
2024–2026 STARBUCK – Soil Health in Coffee Systems Develop localized recommendations to improve soil health and reduce carbon footprints in coffee cultivation STARBUCK