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| Minister Bright Rwamirama, speaking at the AYuTe NextGen 2025 Conference opening ceremony. |
Kampala, Uganda | June 17, 2025 – Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, has declared Uganda ready to champion Africa’s agricultural transformation through youth-led innovation and digital technology.
Rwamirama made the remarks during the official opening of the AYuTe NextGen 2025 Conference held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, organized by Heifer International in partnership with government and regional innovation hubs.
The event brought together young agri-tech entrepreneurs, impact investors, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa.
“Innovation, especially when driven by young people, is instrumental in shifting our agricultural sector from subsistence to commercial, technology-led systems,” said Rwamirama. “With over 60% of Uganda’s agricultural workforce made up of youth, their role is not optional—it is essential.”
The minister emphasized that government frameworks such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), the National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agriculture, and targeted funding for innovation are designed to foster youth inclusion and enhance productivity across the agriculture value chain.
He commended Heifer International for its longstanding collaboration with Uganda, particularly in the livestock sector.
“Heifer International is one of the few organizations that aligns its work with government policy. Their footprint can be seen across the country, especially in livestock productivity and extension,” Rwamirama noted.
Heifer’s Vision for Africa’s Youth in Agriculture
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| Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International |
Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International, lauded Uganda for offering a conducive environment for innovation and youth empowerment.
“This conference reflects our belief that Africa’s youth are not just the future—they are the present. We are here to invest in their ideas and help scale their solutions to address food insecurity and unemployment,” said Ferrari.
She emphasized the importance of partnerships between development organizations and governments that prioritize local ownership, accountability, and sustainability.
Local Solutions with Continental Impact
Uganda’s Country Director for Heifer International, William Matovu, reiterated the organization’s commitment to co-creating scalable agri-tech solutions.
“Uganda’s vibrant youth population and stable policy framework present a real opportunity. We are excited to work with innovators who are creating tools in climate-smart agriculture, livestock insurance, digital traceability, and market linkages,” said Matovu.
He added that the AYuTe NextGen initiative—short for “Agriculture Youth Technology Empowerment”—is not just a competition, but a long-term platform to equip young entrepreneurs with skills, networks, and funding.
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| William Matovu, the Heifer Uganda Country Director |
A Call to Action
Minister Rwamirama called on investors and regional partners to believe in African youth and the enabling environment Uganda offers.
“This is not just a dialogue—it is a call to action. Let us support young innovators to take their ideas from concept to impact. The risks are manageable, the market is ready, and the policy support is in place.”
The AYuTe NextGen 2025 Conference continues throughout the week, with panels, live demos, and networking sessions aimed at accelerating Africa’s agri-tech transformation through the power of youth innovation.
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