Newsletter issue 33 - Nogamu

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AT THE FOUNDING STAGES MOSES KIGGUNDU MUWANGA. (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER) The foundation of National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) was as a result of individuals, Nongovernment Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisation (CBOs) like Rural Community in Development (RUCID), Suntrade (African Organic), realizing the need for strong coordination in the organic sector the NOGAMU. After realizing that there was potential, they brought an idea to form NOGAMU. Before 2001, there were previous efforts in 1994 to 1998 to form NOGAMU. I think at that time, the movement was not strong enough effort collapsed. There was no sufficient recognizant force until 2000. By that time Suntrade was the only exporting fruit company that was organically certified. During one of their annual external inspection by IMO, the directors of Suntrade invited other stakeholders to discuss opening up an umbrella NGO. That meeting was also addressed by an IMO inspector. In the meeting a task force was instituted to organize a meeting of all stakeholders. That meeting was held in 2000. The interim central committee appointed nine members from different organizations and got an offer from Kulika for an office space. The committee was to operate two years voluntarily planning for sector and registration of the organisation in 2001. Members used to call to the office voluntarily. In 2002, when NOGAMU secured financial support from HIVOS, an office was opened up at Kabalagala. Recruitment of staff started and the first strategic plan was developed. That was the beginning and nurturing of NOGAMU. The four principles that have helped the sector to grow are health, ecology, fairness and care. NOGAMU now has 18 permanent staff and many partner organisation that represent their activities on the ground. NOGAMU over the years has built a strong governance system in the country. NOGAMU was recognized by the Private Sector Foundation in 2008- 2009 and awarded the “Business Associates Community Development award due to its best governing system that is; a well organized membership from the grass-root and the way the services are delivered to them. Currently, Uganda has over 200,000 internationally certified organic farmers in Uganda, the first and second largest certified farmers in Africa and world over respectively. The highest number is found in India. At the beginning, they were about 11,000 farmers (Lango and Suntrade/ African Organic and Bo Weevil). There are 44 certified export companies. Member organisations are over 290 in Uganda and outside the country. The value of trade less organic turnover that time was less than US$100,000, but now it’s over US$37million per annum. The demand for organic products from Uganda is high about US$400 million. There are two things that have made NOGAMU successful. First our activities are designed from the real needs of the members. The programme is relevant to our target group. Secondly, NOGAMU has established a solid governance system and accountable secretariat. We have also invested a lot in recruiting the best personnel at the secretariat and retaining them which has helped to deliver high quality services to the members and other people. We have the best established organic movement in the whole of Africa. Many people do appreciate as more and more convert to organic farming. Our organic farmers can access market and high income. There is need for NOGAMU to mobilise more farmers and have them certified. We have a responsibility to support organic companies to scale up value addition to meet the demand coming from the market. It is very critical to have the organic agricultural policy passed so as to improve the enabling environment in which organic farming and trade is being undertaken. The policy finalization has taken long. The organic sector is a sector which Uganda can take advantage of, after finalising the organic policy. 8 <strong>Nogamu</strong> at Ten Years
AT THE FOUNDING STAGES PROSCOVIA NANKYA (1 st Executive Secretary) THE National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) has gone strong since its inception in 2001 because it relied much on its founding principles. The founding of NOGAMU was way back in 1997. We were three people who initially met (Samuel Nyanzi and Mirembe Self-Help (Betty Nabanja). We conceived the idea to form an organic organisation after under going a number of challenges in the sector. Nabanja had earlier taken on organic agriculture. The government was not happy with the development of the organic sector well as the importers yearned for organic exports. The government officials talked ill of the sector. The officials said we wanted to make people go hungry. On top of that we had no scientific evidence to back our arguments. The proof could only be sourced from Europe. We thought of making friends within the government after forming a bigger organisation with a strong voice. In year 2000, the three pre-founders linked up with Alastair Taylor and Amin of Amfri Farms. Amin was by then exporting organic products but said coming by organic products for export was hard. Nonetheless, the three were of the view that it’s only a matter of organisation that they could be got from the farmers. To make serious what we were discussing into reality, in 2000 we all converged at Kulika offices in Nsambya. The initial funding for the meeting was from our contributions. As more meetings were held members hatched an idea to look for funding from development partners so as to move forward. No doubt Taylor successfully hooked up some funding from HIVOS for six months. This money helped us to do the registration and also clear our first office rent at Kabalagala. The funders had also promised more funding if the resource envelop was well utilized and accounted for. Susan Nansimbi who was working as a secretary under Alastair Taylor in Kulika was taken as the first employee followed by Moses Muwanga who was an employee of Amin. After 2001 registration of NOGAMU, Taylor was elected as the first chairperson and myself vice chairperson and executive secretary. In 2001 after spending funds for the six months, myself and Taylor went to HIVOS offices in Netherlands to explain and give a break down of the first funding. We travelled to Kenya and Tanzania creating awareness of the organic sector through talk shows on radios. After relinquishing my position, I became the chairperson of the training committee for the next three years retiring thereafter to private business. Despite NOGAMU achievements, the organisation should endeavour to do its work through its respective member organizations like the NGOs. NOGAMU should also give support to its NGOs strengthening the link. That’s from NOGAMU to member NGOs and to the grass-root clusters. NOGAMU should also concentrate on increasing marketing of other non-traditional organic commodities produced by its certified farmers such as beans, matooke, groundnuts and cowpeas. Most notably, NOGAMU has successfully penetrated different higher learning institutions like Nkozi University to introduce organic courses. I established a Skills Oriented Development Initiative (SODI) at Nakilebe, Kilingente sub-county in Mpigi district to teach the community on organic farming. The training centre has offices, classes and a processing unit. I also have an Agro-Consultancy firm that offers services to all organic stakeholders including training of NGOs and company employees. <strong>Nogamu</strong> at Ten Years 9
Page 1 and 2: A QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM THE NATIONA
Page 3 and 4: By Nkuba Michael at ten years Edito
Page 5 and 6: AT THE FOUNDING STAGES ALASTAIR TAY
Page 7: IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CURRENT BOARD
Page 11 and 12: AT THE FOUNDING STAGES BETTY NABANJ
Page 13 and 14: Standards compliance key for sustai
Page 15 and 16: PICTORIAL The Former Members of the
Page 17 and 18: GOALS AND VALUES Before undertaking
Page 19 and 20: from page 16 hatching and expect ab
Page 21 and 22: from page 18 Members of UMOJA Farme
Page 23 and 24: Organic Tomato by: Dr Charles Sseky
Page 25 and 26: PLOT 268 Ggaba Road, Kabalagala. P.
Page 27 and 28: Nogamu at Ten Years 27

Newsletter issue 33 - Nogamu

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