Agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy—employing 64% of the population and contributing up to 50% of the country’s exports. Yet, for many smallholder farmers, accessing affordable credit remains a persistent challenge. Traditional financial institutions often require collateral that rural farmers simply don’t have, limiting their ability to invest in and expand their operations.
FINCA Uganda is addressing this challenge head-on. Through innovative partnerships—such as one with the Agricultural Business Initiative (aBi) Finance—FINCA has enabled over 10,000 farmers to access credit without the burden of traditional collateral requirements.
One success story is that of Tadeo Kasumba, a client for Mityana Branch. Eight years ago, Kasumba approached FINCA with just a three-acre coffee farm. Today, with the support of agricultural loans, he has expanded his farm to over fifteen acres, increased his borrowing capacity to UGX 35 million, built a home, purchased a car, and opened a wholesale shop in Mityana town. He also employees more than 8 people on his coffee farm His transformation mirrors a broader shift taking place across Uganda’s rural landscape.
“FINCA Uganda supports a wide range of agricultural activities,” says Morice Kizito, the Manager for Agricultural Lending. “These include crop farming, livestock, poultry—both layers and broilers—and aquaculture. Our lending approach spans the entire agricultural value chain: from production and processing to marketing, with particular attention to the production stage where most smallholder farmers operate.”
Since launching its agricultural finance portfolio in 2011, FINCA Uganda has disbursed over UGX 100 billion to more than 50,000 farmers. These loans have enabled farmers to scale operations, diversify income streams, and improve their quality of life.
Beyond financing, FINCA Uganda is committed to supporting climate-smart agriculture. Through a partnership with the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company (UECCC), the institution is helping farmers adopt renewable energy technologies such as solar-powered irrigation systems, refrigeration units, and milling equipment. These tools are not only increasing productivity but also reducing environmental impact.
“We’re not just providing loans—we’re supporting a transition to modern, sustainable farming practices,” Morice explains. “By equipping farmers with the tools and technologies they need, we’re helping them build long-term resilience.”
Recognizing the risks that come with agricultural lending—from unpredictable weather and crop failures to fluctuating market prices—FINCA has embedded risk mitigation strategies within its approach. These include flexible loan structures aligned with seasonal cash flows, assessments that factor in alternative household income, and promotion of mixed farming to stabilize earnings.
Looking forward, the institution is actively working on introducing agricultural insurance products and regenerative agriculture practices such as drought-resistant seedlings. There are also plans to scale up climate-smart initiatives and deploy farmer agents to enhance last-mile access to financial services.
“Our vision is to empower farmers to thrive—not just survive,” says Morice. “We believe that when farmers prosper, entire communities are transformed.”
As Uganda’s agriculture sector continues to play a pivotal role in national development, efforts like those by FINCA Uganda are critical. By removing barriers to credit, promoting sustainability, and investing in farmer resilience, FINCA is contributing to a stronger, more inclusive rural economy.
