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Entebbe International Airport has been a hive of activity over the past two days, facilitating the arrival of 874 delegates for the African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Summit, which is being held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
Among the arrivals are seven Heads of State, two Vice Presidents, and the African Union Chairman.
Notable arrivals include Kenya’s President William Ruto, Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske, Angola’s President João Lourenço, and Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
According to Eng. Ayub Sooma, Director of Airports and Aviation Security, the airport has managed the influx of delegates successfully and is well-prepared for their eventual departure without interrupting regular airport operations.
A High-Profile Summit Focused on Agriculture
The CAADP Summit officially commenced on 9th January, bringing together leaders and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss strategies for advancing agricultural development.
Hosted in Kampala, the summit aims to adopt a 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035. The plan is rooted in the Malabo Declaration and aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, targeting food security, agricultural transformation, and sustainable economic growth.
The three-day summit began with Ministers of Agriculture from all 55 AU member states, followed by the arrival of high-level dignitaries
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, opened the summit, highlighting Africa’s dependency on food imports, which costs the continent USD 100 billion annually.
Uganda’s Role in Hosting the Summit
The summit focuses on enhancing agricultural systems across Africa. The event has also provided an opportunity for Uganda to showcase its infrastructure and commitment to agricultural transformation.
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, urged delegates to transition from planning to action, emphasising the importance of implementation in transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape.
The Road Ahead for Africa’s Agriculture
The summit will conclude on 11th January with a meeting of African Heads of State and Government, where the Kampala Declaration and the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan are expected to be adopted.
This landmark declaration will seek to eliminate hunger and poverty, improve intra-African trade, and create resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding climate and economic shocks.
As Africa’s flagship agricultural initiative, the CAADP framework represents a bold step toward achieving food security and economic transformation across the continent.