Growing the Organic Movement: WYNA Fellows at the National Organic Week 2025

The National Organic Week (NOW) 2025 marked a major milestone for Uganda’s organic movement as the country celebrated 25 years of National Organic Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU)’s leadership in championing organic agriculture. As Uganda’s premier gathering for the organic sector, the National Organic Week (NOW) 2025 was  held from 5^th-8^th November 2025 at Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda under the Theme: Organic Agriculture: Pathway to CAADP Implementation and Trade Integration across Africa and Beyond. This brought together farmers, exporters, policymakers, researchers, development partners, youth leaders, and consumers to showcase innovations, exchange knowledge, and explore market and trade opportunities in organic agriculture. 

Representing the WYNA Programme at NOW

The WYNA Programme proudly joined the event through a vibrant and committed delegation. Participants included WYNA Agroecology Fellows Ms. Nabwire Bridget and Mr. Anyama Henry, YPARD Programme Coordinator Ajuna Tadeo, and the YPARD Uganda-Dokolo District Ambassador Mr. Ayile Peter.

The Fellows showcased their initiatives at the event, presenting how each of their projects are promoting sustainable, organic agricultural practices. They also focussed on the WYNA Programme in general, highlighting the work of not only the WYNA and YPARD but also of the broader Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology Africa (KCOA) network across Africa. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Ayile Peter showcased value-added organic products from his community at the YPARD Uganda booth, demonstrating how youth networks are contributing to organic entrepreneurship. One of the most memorable moments of the National Organic week was when the fellows had the opportunity to meet the Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, and the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga.

These engagements offered visibility and encouragement for the growing role of WYNA Fellows and the YPARD members in driving agroecology and organic innovation across the country. Furthermore, the engagement at NOW was the first in-person meeting between the Uganda-based WYNA Fellows and the YPARD Global team in Uganda, strengthening internal collaboration. 

Other Key Engagments

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In a panel discussion at the event, Tadeo Ajuna spoke on youth opportunities in organic agriculture. He outlined practical pathways for young people including organic production, processing, certification support, extension services, agritourism, and digital advisory solutions. Tadeo introduced the WYNA Programme and the broader KCOA network, emphasizing the need for intentional youth and women inclusion through mentorship, leadership roles, and dedicated side events at national platforms like National Organic Week which also became a significant moment for YPARD.

The team was able to learn from success stories from Mlima Safaris & Agritours, Guddie Organic Farm, and Sulma Farms, who illustrated how organic farms can become destinations offering tours, farm stays, workshops, and farm-to-table experiences that diversify income and uplift rural communities.

The event was followed by an Awards Ceremony, where different regional KCOA hubs got a space to connect, reflect, and discuss deeper collaboration within and beyond the KCOA Project. At the Organic Awards dinner, Tadeo also had the pleasure of meeting the Dutch Ambassador, the chief guest of the event, and used the opportunity to introduce YPARD and its mission further strengthening international visibility for youth in organic agriculture.

More discussions on organic markets, regional trade integration, taxation, financing, and the policy frameworks needed to grow exports. A keynote by Dr. David Amudavi reinforced market diversification as a key driver of CAADP implementation and sustainable livelihoods. The conversations affirmed that organic agriculture is not only feeding communities but also transforming economies and restoring harmony with nature.

National Organic Week 2025 reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to an inclusive, innovative, and youth-driven organic future, one that the WYNA programme and YPARD are proud to support.

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