The Ugandan government has launched the Control Union Academy-Uganda to address export quality challenges, aiming to boost coffee and organic product exports to the EU amid stricter market standards. The initiative, backed by MAAIF and industry leaders, focuses on training farmers and exporters to meet international compliance requirements.
The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), has partnered with the Control Union Academy-Uganda to address export quality challenges, particularly for coffee and organic products. The initiative aims to train farmers, exporters, and agribusiness professionals to meet international market standards, reducing rejections and increasing access to premium markets like the European Union (EU).
A Response to Export Rejections and Quality Concerns
Dr. Teddy Asio, Assistant Commissioner for Seed Inspection and Certification at MAAIF, highlighted that farmers have faced growing complaints over exports being returned for quality issues. Farmers have started complaining because exports were being returned for destruction due to quality issues,
Asio said, emphasizing the need for improved compliance. The Control Union Academy-Uganda, a training arm of the global certification body, will provide specialized programs to address these gaps.
Mr. Tadeo Kalamaga, Managing Director of Control Union Academy-Uganda, stressed the necessity of meeting buyer conditions to access premium markets. The world market has conditions. You cannot simply pack 100 kilograms of coffee and cross into export markets without the necessary documentation,
he said. The academy’s training programs will focus on international certification standards, including EU Organic Certification, USDA NOP, and Japan’s Agricultural Standards (JAS).
Organic Exports and EU Market Dominance
Uganda’s organic exports, particularly oilseeds like chia and sesame, are heavily reliant on the EU market. Dr. Chariton Namuwoza, Chief Executive Officer of the National Organic Agriculture Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU), noted that 93% of Uganda’s chia and 88% of its sesame exported to the EU are certified organic. Statistical evidence shows that Uganda predominantly exports organic oilseeds to the EU, which remains our largest market,
Namuwoza said.
The number of certified organic farmers in Uganda has grown from 230,000 in 2019 to 741,000 by December 2025, according to NOGAMU. This growth aligns with the country’s National Organic Agriculture Policy, which has driven expansion in sustainable farming practices. However, challenges remain, including inadequate technical knowledge among smallholder farmers, which the academy aims to address through targeted training.
Sustainability and Economic Imperatives
Dr. Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner for Quality Assurance and Value Addition at MAAIF, emphasized sustainability as a non-negotiable factor in global trade. He cited the Global Coffee Platform’s estimate that 20% of globally traded coffee was produced under sustainable principles by 2024. Sustainability partly addresses this, and we recognize the Control Union Academy as a key partner in ensuring that sustainability remains a core principle along our entire production and processing value chain,
Katwirenabo said.
The initiative also seeks to reduce the financial burden of compliance for local producers. Katwirenabo noted that nearly 5% of sustainably grown coffee is sold as conventional coffee due to certification barriers. He proposed building sustainable international collaborations to eventually domesticate standard certifications. The academy’s programs aim to lower these costs while improving access to premium markets.
Challenges and Future Steps
Despite the progress, challenges persist. Mr. Odrek Rwabogo, Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), urged exporters to prioritize rigorous certification to penetrate competitive global markets.
The Control Union Academy-Uganda’s success will depend on its ability to bridge knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers and ensure compliance with international standards. With 80% of Uganda’s organic exports destined for the European Union market, the initiative represents a critical step in securing the country’s position in high-value agricultural markets. As Dr. Asio stated, “By shifting our focus towards consistently high-quality and certified premium products, Ugandan agricultural exports will not only secure a competitive edge but will also trigger sustained higher demand and command premium prices on the international market.”
The government’s partnership with the academy is part of a broader agro-industrialization program, aiming to enhance value addition and export competitiveness. With the EU’s stringent standards, the initiative demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to aligning with global market expectations while supporting local farmers and businesses.
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