Uganda: Hortifresh association strengthens its training unit

Uganda: Hortifresh association strengthens its training unit

Through its programmes, COLEAD supports professional organisations that are representative of their sector to strengthen their capacity to provide services to their members and with concern for the long-term sustainability of its action. In Uganda, for example, COLEAD recently supported the HortiFresh association through the FFM+ programme as part of its commitment to strengthening local capacity. Hortifresh is the main business membership organisation supporting the horticulture sector in the country. It recently took part in an intensive training course on setting up and managing a training unit, the HortiFresh Skills Centre. The main topics covered were training needs assessment, curriculum development and strategic business planning.

The aim of the training was to equip the HortiFresh team with the skills needed to design and deliver training programmes tailored to the specific needs of its members, which include exporters, growers and processors. One of the most significant outcomes of this initiative was the co-creation of an ambitious training programme for 2024-2025. This programme aims not only to improve horticultural practices in the country, but also to increase the competitiveness of Ugandan produce on the international market.

Strengthened with this new expertise, HortiFresh is now moving on to the next phase: developing a business plan for the skills centre. This plan is essential to ensure the sustainability of the centre and maximise its long-term impact, ensuring that the Ugandan horticultural sector continues to develop towards greater efficiency and competitiveness. The success of this training course was made possible by the exceptional enthusiasm and motivation of the HortiFresh team and the support of a committed management team. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the relevance of the content, particularly the practical application of the skills acquired. They also praised the expertise of the Kenyan trainer, who was able to share valuable knowledge gained from similar missions in Kenya, providing an enriching and concrete perspective for Uganda.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.