The National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) is the umbrella organization that unites producers, processors, exporters, NGOs, certification bodies, and other stakeholders involved in the country’s organic agriculture sector. It was formally established in 2001.

Mission, Vision & Values

Vision: Increased incomes and improved livelihoods in Uganda through adoption of organic agriculture.

Mission: To coordinate and promote organic agricultural development, networking, and marketing.

Core values: Integrity, social justice, gender equity, environmental ethics, fairness, transparency, unity, and non-discrimination.

Objectives & Key Functions

NOGAMU’s main objectives and functions include:

Capacity building and training – supporting farmers, processors, and exporters to adopt organic practices through research, education, and extension.

Standards and certification – developing organic standards, promoting certified organic production, and establishing systems like UgoCert to reduce certification costs.

Marketing and value chain development – linking producers with domestic and export markets, and strengthening value chains.

Advocacy and policy engagement – influencing policy, raising awareness among consumers and government, and building strategic relations.

Institutional development – strengthening governance, membership, and partnerships for the growth of the organic sector.

Structure & Membership

NOGAMU is a membership-based, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.

Members include individual farmers, farmer organizations, processors, exporters, NGOs, and service providers in the organic value chain.

It works with regional partner organizations to ensure presence across Uganda, such as Caritas Kampala (Central), Restless Development (East), and SATNET (West).

History & Growth

Organic agriculture in Uganda had its roots in the mid-1990s, but NOGAMU was created in 2001 to coordinate and accelerate the sector’s growth.

Early efforts focused on training, awareness, standards development, and market linkages.

By the mid-2010s, NOGAMU was representing over a million smallholder farmers directly and indirectly.

Achievements & Impact

Expanded adoption of organic agriculture among smallholder farmers.

Improved household food security through organic practices.

Enhanced farmer incomes by opening access to both domestic and international organic markets.

Established Uganda Organic Certification (UgoCert) to improve access to certification.

Played a role in developing Uganda’s National Organic Agriculture Policy.

Challenges

Despite progress, NOGAMU faces ongoing challenges:

High costs of certification for smallholder farmers.

Limited market access and weak value chain infrastructure (transport, storage, processing).

Insufficient organic-specific research and extension services.

Policy and regulatory gaps that weaken sector growth.

Low awareness among farmers and consumers about the benefits of organic agriculture.

Policy & Partnerships

NOGAMU has been influential in shaping Uganda’s National Organic Agriculture Policy and continues to work closely with government institutions, donors, NGOs, and regional networks to advance the organic agriculture movement.