State Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, has called on Uganda’s youth to take charge of the country’s agricultural transformation by embracing innovation and entrepreneurship through the 2024 AYUTE Africa Challenge.
Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in partnership with Heifer International, the fourth edition of the Agriculture Youth and Technology (AYUTE) Africa Challenge is offering Shs 222 million in cash prizes to support cutting-edge, youth-led agribusiness ventures across the country.
“This challenge is more than a competition — it’s a call to action,” Hon. Bwino emphasized at the launch. “We are investing in the ingenuity of our youth to build a resilient, technology-driven agricultural sector.”
The AYUTE Africa Challenge 2024 introduces a new category dedicated to innovators from the Busoga subregion, aligning with a broader national strategy to create over 250,000 jobs by 2029, particularly for young people and women. The region has been identified as a key target for development, with the challenge aiming to address pressing issues like youth unemployment, poverty, and teenage pregnancies.
Heifer International’s Country Director, Mr. William Matovu, noted that the initiative was born from the need to counter youth disengagement in agriculture, driven by a perception that the sector lacks innovation.
“AYUTE is a platform for young Ugandans to showcase transformative ideas that can make agriculture smarter, more sustainable, and more appealing to their peers,” said Matovu. “Innovation is the bridge that connects youth to the future of farming.”
The challenge is open to students and young entrepreneurs across Uganda, with submissions made via short videos sent to the AYUTE Africa Challenge WhatsApp number. Selected winners will not only receive funding but also gain access to incubation programs and the chance to compete at a continental level.
Success stories from past editions demonstrate the challenge’s impact. Stellar Nakirijja, a former winner, credits the competition for linking her to valuable training and business support. Mike Ssali Ssegawa, who won Shs 15 million, built a greenhouse operation and developed a disease-resistant tomato variety, now supplying a network of over 5,000 farmers nationwide.
With the 2024 edition underway, the government and partners are urging young Ugandans to seize this opportunity to lead the future of agriculture.
“This is your moment,” Hon. Bwino said. “Bring your ideas. Bring your ambition. Agriculture is the future — and it’s yours to shape.”
