By Jumah Kakomo
The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the National Agroecology Actors, is set to host the Agroecology Week of Action (AWA) 2025, scheduled to take place from Monday, October 27th to Friday, October 31st, 2025, in Kampala.
This year’s weeklong celebration is especially significant as it coincides with PELUM Uganda’s 30th Anniversary, marking three decades of collective action in advancing agroecology and sustainable land-use management practices among farming communities across the country.
Held under the theme “Championing Agroecological Innovations and Approaches for Sustainable Food Systems,” the AWA 2025 aims to provide an inclusive platform for diverse actors to scale up, scale out, and scale deep agroecology in Uganda. The event will showcase achievements, reflect on lessons learned over the past 30 years, and renew the collective commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future.
According to Christopher Kyeswa, PELUM Uganda Board Chairperson, agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems.
“This week dedicated to promoting agroecology will serve as a vital platform for mobilization and constituency building,” Kyeswa said. “It will persuade more actors to embrace the agroecological path, demonstrating the interconnected nature of our food systems.”
The AWA 2025 is expected to attract at least 1,500 participants, including small-scale farmers and producer organizations, Indigenous Peoples and traditional knowledge holders, private sector and market actors, government officials and policymakers, researchers, academia, consumers, financial institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and the media.
Moses Onen, Program Manager for Advocacy at PELUM Uganda, explained that the Agroecology Week of Action will consolidate several high-impact events throughout the week, including:
Press Conference – Monday, October 27th, 2025
The week will officially kick off with a press conference to introduce the Agroecology Week of Action to stakeholders and the wider public, while mobilizing participation in the planned activities.
7th Annual National Agroecology Actors’ Symposium (NAAS) – Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Held under the theme “Accelerating Agroecology Transitions for Sustainability: Reshaping Policy, Markets, Finance, and Practice for Transformative Change,” the symposium will bring together stakeholders to showcase successful agroecological interventions, share lessons, and discuss strategies for scaling up agroecology.
Key objectives include: Mobilizing agroecology actors to collectively implement agroecological initiatives in Uganda, Facilitating dialogue between policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to align national and local policies with agroecological principles and Strengthening market and financial mechanisms that support agroecological enterprises.
4th Agroecological Market Systems Expo (AMASE) – Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
Themed “Promoting Youth- and Women-Led Agroecological Innovations and Technologies for Improved Incomes in Uganda,” this expo will focus on boosting agroecological enterprises, strengthening entrepreneurship, and addressing policy issues related to trade and market development for agroecological products.
Activities will include public awareness campaigns, the “Akatale” market showcase, business clinics, and policy advocacy sessions.
15th Annual Indigenous and Traditional Food and Seed Fair – Thursday, October 30th to Friday, October 31st, 2025
Under the theme “Exploring Uganda’s Indigenous Food and Cultural Diversity,” this fair will highlight the importance of indigenous and traditional foods in promoting healthy, nutritious, and sustainable food systems.
The event will feature exhibitions, food tastings, cooking demonstrations, and an award ceremony for outstanding exhibitors.
The culmination of the Agroecology Week of Action will be the PELUM Uganda 30th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, October 31st, 2025.
According to Josephine Akia Luyimbazi, PELUM Uganda Country Coordinator, the celebration will not only honor the organization’s three-decade journey but also emphasize the enduring value of indigenous foods.
“Indigenous foods are more than just a source of nutrition,” Akia Luyimbazi noted. “They are a living legacy of cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and traditional knowledge. These foods have sustained generations and hold immense potential for health, sustainability, and biodiversity.
The Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda is part of a regional network working to promote ecological land use, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience. Over the past 30 years, PELUM Uganda has played a pivotal role in supporting smallholder farmers and advancing agroecological practices across the country.
