ESAFF Uganda's two-day gathering will bring farmers, researchers, buyers and policymakers together to showcase indigenous seeds and foods and to consider the proposed Soroti Declaration on Agroecology 2026
Small-scale farmers from across Uganda will converge on Soroti Museum on 15 and 16 October for the 2nd Annual National Agroecology Festival (NAF) 2026, a two-day event combining farmer-led exhibitions, market engagement and a National Policy Dialogue.
Organised by the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Farmers' Forum (ESAFF) Uganda, the festival is being held under the theme "Advancing Agroecology for Climate Action, Nutrition and Sustainable Livelihoods." It will bring together farmers, government representatives, researchers, civil society organisations, private-sector actors and development partners to share practical experiences and strengthen collaboration on food and nutrition security, climate resilience and farmers' livelihoods.
The festival comes as Uganda's food systems face interlinked pressures, including biodiversity loss, climate change and soil degradation. Organisers say these challenges make it urgent to strengthen the systems that support agricultural production while protecting biodiversity, widening access to diverse and nutritious foods, and sustaining small-scale farmers' incomes. Concerns about the inappropriate use of chemical pesticides have also sharpened calls for safer pest-management approaches that protect human health and the environment.
Through exhibitions, knowledge exchange and policy dialogue, NAF 2026 aims to link community-level experience with wider debates on agricultural policy, investment and the future of food. Farmers and agroecological enterprises will display their produce, meet potential buyers and explore business partnerships.
ESAFF Uganda National Coordinator Nancy Mugimba said the festival's value lies in the connections it creates.
"When a farmer meets a researcher, a buyer or a policymaker, there is an opportunity for something to change. A farmer may find a market for their produce, a researcher may learn from a practice that has worked in a community for years, and a policymaker may better understand why certain policies need to change and work towards that change. We want small-scale farmers to take an active role in shaping the decisions that affect them," she said.
For Naume Kalinaki, Programmes Officer for Enterprise and Livelihood Development at ESAFF Uganda, the festival is also a chance to show that agroecology makes economic sense.
"This festival is a celebration of the goodness that agroecology has to offer farmers, traders and consumers. Through agroecology, we are looking at reducing the cost of production, which directly influences how much we are able to gain from our farms. Agroecology guarantees long-term profitability. At Soroti Museum, we expect participants to learn how to grow agroecological businesses, improve their finances as farmers and producers, and network with fellow actors in the sector," she said.
The festival coincides with World Food Day on 16 October, observed this year under the theme "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow." Organisers say the event offers a platform to show how farmer knowledge, indigenous foods, locally adapted seeds and agroecological practices can support diverse diets, resilient livelihoods and sustainable food systems.
The exhibition grounds at Soroti Museum will be open to the public, with free entry for non-exhibitors. ESAFF Uganda is inviting residents and visitors to meet exhibitors, sample and buy locally produced agroecological foods and products, and explore ways to support farmers and build more resilient food systems.
