Uganda Gives Young Agribusinesses Shs205m to Scale Their Solutions

Eight young Ugandan businesses are set to receive a combined Shs205 million after being selected as winners of the fifth AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda. The funding is intended to help the businesses move from developing agricultural products and technologies to expanding their operations and reaching more customers.

The winners were announced on September 24 at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala during the AYuTe Season 5 Awards Gala, held under the theme “Go Big. Go Bold.”

This year's competition attracted 836 applications, more than double the 307 received in 2025. Heifer International Uganda, which runs the programme, said the applications came from young entrepreneurs working on challenges across agricultural value chains. 

Eight Businesses Share the Funding

The awards were divided between Agribusiness and Agritech, giving both technology startups and businesses working directly with agricultural products an opportunity to access financing.

Piipu General Enterprises LLP took the top Agribusiness award and received Shs50 million. Lufafa Joel Enterprises received Shs30 million, while Ama Bulungi Enterprises received Shs15 million.

In the Agritech category, Revmake Tech Company Ltd received the top award of Shs50 million. Afripolli Farm-Tech Solutions Ltd received Shs20 million, while Humi 99 Company Ltd received Shs15 million.

Two additional businesses, Natura’s Nook Nutrition Ltd and Winnie Park Agro-Supply, each received Shs10 million under the female entrepreneur category. 

The businesses are tackling different problems within agriculture. Previous AYuTe applicants and winners have developed solutions around areas such as agricultural waste, poultry production, post-harvest management, irrigation and market access. The 2026 competition also targeted businesses working on specific gaps within agricultural value chains. 

Government Wants More Innovations to Reach the Market

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Jonard Asiimwe used the awards to push young entrepreneurs to think beyond developing technology.

His message was that a working product is only one part of building an innovation business. Entrepreneurs also need to understand their customers, demonstrate demand and find ways to get their products into the market.

Asiimwe said Uganda is looking at approaches that place greater emphasis on commercialising innovations, including lessons from China's innovation ecosystem.

He also warned entrepreneurs against putting technology ahead of the people who are expected to use it.

“Don’t fall in love with technology and forget the customer. Build solutions that people need and are willing to use,” he said.

The minister also encouraged the winners to actively promote their products rather than leaving promising ideas at the development stage.

For the entrepreneurs receiving the funding, that creates a new challenge: turning award money into businesses that can generate revenue, serve more farmers and operate beyond the support provided by the competition.

AYuTe Moves From Ideas to Businesses

AYuTe, which stands for Agriculture, Youth and Technology, was launched in Uganda in 2022 by Heifer International. The programme supports young people building businesses and technologies around agriculture.

The Uganda programme is supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented with CURAD. It combines funding with mentorship, incubation, business development support and access to wider innovation networks. More than 900 young innovators and entrepreneurs have engaged with the programme since its launch, according to AYuTe.

The sharp increase in applications this year also shows the breadth of interest among young Ugandans in agriculture-related businesses. Heifer International said the 836 applications included 370 Agritech submissions and 466 Agribusiness applications.