Augustine Akuttu wakes up early. The sky is still gray, and the ground is cool under his feet. He walks through his farmland in Amuria, taking slow steps across the red soil. Years ago, this land gave him just enough food for his family. Back then, cassava was simply a way to survive. But things changed.

One season, instead of throwing away extra cassava stems, Augustine sold them. The money he made opened his eyes. He saw cassava differently. He planted more, not just for food, but to build something bigger. Season after season, he expanded. Today, his farm covers 400 acres. It’s no longer just a farm it’s a full business.

He now hires more than 60 people. There’s a small processing unit on-site. He owns a lorry to transport his cassava to buyers. And in Soroti town, he’s building a “cassava house.” It’s a new place where cassava is dried, processed, sold, and stored. It also has space for lodging and more. That project alone is worth over 170 million Ugandan shillings.

All of this started with one smart decision: to treat cassava like a business. Augustine’s story is simple, but powerful. It shows what’s possible when a farmer gets the right tools, training, and access to markets.

Across Uganda, cassava is doing more than feeding people. It’s creating jobs. It’s sending children to school. It’s turning small farms into enterprises. Augustine’s journey is proof of that. And he is just one of many.

Cassava is not just a root. For many Ugandans, it’s a path to a better life.

Cassava is a vital food source for millions of Ugandans, serving as a daily staple in the form of posho, muwogo, katogo, cassava chips, and sombe.

Uganda produces over 2.6 million tonnes of cassava annually, with growing interest in commercial farming and value addition through products like High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), ethanol, animal feed, and adhesives.

Cassava faces major challenges, including diseases like CMD and CBSD, quick post-harvest spoilage, and underused processing centers due to low productivity and poor infrastructure.

Success stories like Augustine Akuttu show how farmers can turn cassava into profitable businesses with access to training, quality planting materials, and market connections.

The sector offers strong investment opportunities in seed supply, processing technology, export markets, and business support services, with growing global demand for cassava-based products.

Augustine Akuttu wakes up early. The sky is still gray, and the ground is cool under his feet. He walks through his farmland in Amuria, taking slow steps across the red soil. Years ago, this land gave him just enough food for his family. Back then, cassava was simply a way to survive. But things changed.

One season, instead of throwing away extra cassava stems, Augustine sold them. The money he made opened his eyes. He saw cassava differently. He planted more, not just for food, but to build something bigger. Season after season, he expanded. Today, his farm covers 400 acres. It’s no longer just a farm it’s a full business.

He now hires more than 60 people. There’s a small processing unit on-site. He owns a lorry to transport his cassava to buyers. And in Soroti town, he’s building a “cassava house.” It’s a new place where cassava is dried, processed, sold, and stored. It also has space for lodging and more. That project alone is worth over 170 million Ugandan shillings.

All of this started with one smart decision: to treat cassava like a business. Augustine’s story is simple, but powerful. It shows what’s possible when a farmer gets the right tools, training, and access to markets.

Across Uganda, cassava is doing more than feeding people. It’s creating jobs. It’s sending children to school. It’s turning small farms into enterprises. Augustine’s journey is proof of that. And he is just one of many.

Cassava is not just a root. For many Ugandans, it’s a path to a better life.

Let’s talk about cassava as most Ugandans know it something that fills the pot and keeps the family going. It’s not just a crop. It’s a part of everyday life, especially for those living in rural areas or surviving on a tight budget.

In many homes, the day begins or ends with cassava posho.

• This is a thick dough made from boiled cassava roots, pounded until smooth.
• It’s heavy and satisfying. Not fancy, but it fills the stomach and gives energy.
• For schoolchildren and farmers, it’s a go-to meal that keeps them full for hours.

Then there’s muwogo, or steamed cassava.

• Simple, soft, and often eaten plain or with beans, soup, or sauce.
• It’s common at both breakfast and dinner, especially in the countryside.
• Many people like its plain taste and how well it blends with anything else on the plate.

Another favorite is katogo.

• This is a one-pot meal made by mixing cassava (or plantain) with beans, greens, or meat.
• It’s affordable, easy to cook, and feeds many at once.
• Katogo is popular in Central Uganda and often served at roadside eateries and homes.

Cassava also shows up as a snack.

• Vendors cut it into pieces, fry it, and sell it as cassava chips.
• These are crunchy, salty, and a favorite for school kids, workers, and anyone on the go.
• It’s one of the cheapest street foods you can find.

Even the leaves of the cassava plant are useful.

• They’re cooked into a dish called sombe, made with groundnuts, meat, or fish.
• Sombe is both tasty and healthy, rich in iron and protein when cooked properly.

In every form, cassava brings comfort. It’s the food that shows up when nothing else can.

Cassava was always seen as food first. In many Ugandan homes, it helped families survive hard seasons. But now, farmers are looking at it differently. They’re starting to treat it as a business.

Uganda grows about 2.6 to 3 million tonnes of cassava every year. A big part of that comes from the eastern region. Most small farmers about 70% still plant cassava mainly for food. But more and more around 19% are growing it to sell and earn income. That number keeps growing.

Cassava roots can be turned into something more valuable—High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF). This flour is used to make bread, snacks, and even drinks like beer. Over 23,000 farmers in 18 districts have learned how to make and sell this flour, thanks to support from C:AVA II and AgriTT programs.

One great example is Farm Uganda. They buy cassava, process it into flour, and supply food and beverage companies. Each year, they handle about 3,000 tonnes. This creates jobs and gives local farmers a steady market.

Still, there’s a problem. Almost 50 percent of cassava processing factories in Uganda are not operating. Why? There is insufficient production of cassava. Not all places have the proper machines. The others only require additional support and investment.

However, it is a large opportunity as well. With increased planting and processing of cassava, jobs, improved incomes and enhanced rural business could be realized.

Cassava has ceased to be a mere food. It can provide energy to factories, families, and make the economy of Uganda develop with the proper push.

So, what about cassava becoming stronger, smarter and more useful? Well, that happens because of science and research. The farmers of Uganda have long been aware that cassava is tough. It is able to endure drought and thrive in poor soils. But cassava too has foes–such as diseases that sweep whole fields, and varieties that do not store, or yield poorly.

That’s where researchers come in. Uganda’s scientists are working closely with global partners to develop better cassava varieties. These new types are not only stronger but also match what farmers actually want. They grow faster, resist diseases like cassava brown streak, and give bigger harvests.

Programs like NextGen Cassava and C:AVA are using new tools, including genomics, to speed up breeding. This means farmers don’t have to wait years to get improved seeds. The process is faster, smarter, and more targeted.

The UNDP and Islamic Development Bank organized a national workshop in Uganda in June 2024. They gathered scientists, businesses and farmer organizations to discuss the future of cassava. They talked about ways of simplifying processing, ways of funding small cassava enterprises, and ways of connecting farmers to improved markets.

Behind each cassava plant nowadays, therefore, is an entire crew that strives to make the harvest of tomorrow even more productive.

Cassava is a tough crop, but even it faces big problems in Uganda. The two main threats are diseases that many farmers now know too well Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD).

These diseases spread quickly and can ruin entire fields. When they hit, farmers don’t just lose a few plants they can lose nearly everything.

• Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) causes the roots to rot from the inside, making them inedible.

• Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) affects the leaves, stopping the plant from growing properly.

• Together, they can reduce yields by up to 70%, which means months of effort can go to waste.

CBSD used to affect only coastal areas. But by 2009, it had already spread to 70% of Uganda’s districts. Today, it continues to be a major problem across the country.

Even when the cassava is healthy, another challenge remains: the roots spoil quickly after harvest.

• Most farmers don’t have access to drying machines or storage.

• This forces them to sell fast, often at low prices.

There are also social and economic challenges:

• Many farmers don’t have proper training on disease control.

• In some places, women handle most of the work but don’t control the income.

• Many processing centers are sitting idle due to low productivity or lack of tools.

But change is happening. In some areas, over 175 farmers are now using mobile phones to report disease outbreaks.

• These updates help researchers act faster.

• It works like a warning system that can stop diseases before they spread too far.

The challenges are real, but with better tools and farmer support, cassava is starting to fight back.

Cassava has a lot of potential, but there are still some big problems that need fixing before the sector can fully grow. Farmers, processors, and investors all face challenges that slow things down.

Let’s start with diseases. Two major ones Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) are still causing major damage across Uganda.

• These diseases reduce the size and quality of cassava roots.

• Some farmers lose nearly their entire harvest.

• Even though scientists have developed disease-resistant varieties, not all farmers have access to them yet.

Then there’s the issue of post-harvest loss.

• Cassava roots spoil fast—sometimes within two or three days.

• Without proper storage or drying, farmers are forced to sell quickly at low prices.

• Technologies like batch dryers exist, but they are still too few and expensive for most rural communities.

Productivity is another concern.

• Many farmers don’t have the tools, fertilizers, or training they need to grow more cassava.

• Some cassava processing centers have stopped working simply because not enough cassava is being supplied.

Coordination in the value chain also needs work.

• Sometimes, farmers and processors can’t agree on prices.

• In many places, women do most of the farming but get less support when it comes to loans or training.

And finally, we need better infrastructure and policies.

• Processing plants should be close to farms to cut transport costs.

• Farm-to-factory roads, tax relief, and funding can help make cassava businesses more successful.

All these challenges can be solved, but it will take teamwork—from farmers, local leaders, investors, and the government. Cassava has what it takes. Now, it needs the support to go further.

Cassava is no longer just a food crop it’s a smart business move. Across Uganda, and even across Africa, more investors are paying attention to what this root crop can offer. And the opportunities? They’re bigger than many people think.

Let’s start at the beginning of the chain. Farmers need good-quality seeds to grow strong cassava. Right now, there’s a gap in the market. Certified cassava cuttings are in high demand, but not enough suppliers exist. That means anyone investing in seed multiplication or input supply like fertilizers and soil treatment—can tap into a growing customer base.

One farmer, Augustine Akuttu, has already done this. By selling cassava stems alone, he made millions of shillings. His success shows what’s possible when the right product meets the right demand.

Cassava becomes far more valuable after processing. It can be turned into high-quality flour, animal feed, starch, glue, ethanol, and even gluten-free products. These have big markets in food, beverage, and industrial sectors. But more than half of Uganda’s cassava processing plants aren’t even running mainly because of low raw supply and outdated equipment.

That’s why investments in batch dryers, small mills, and packaging tools could quickly turn things around. Companies like Farm Uganda and Kamtech are already showing it works they process tons of cassava into flour and ethanol, and they’re still growing.

Globally, the demand for cassava-based starch, flour, and ethanol is rising. From gluten-free food to biodegradable packaging, cassava has a role to play. There’s also space for support services training farmers, renting machines, offering certification, or linking sellers to global buyers.

So if you’re looking for where to invest next, cassava could be the smart root to follow.

Cassava is more than just a root. In Uganda, it has become a lifeline. It feeds families in the village, supports small businesses in town, and powers industries that reach across the country. It’s one of those crops that doesn’t need much attention—but when given the right care and support, it gives back even more.

This is evidenced by the story of farmers such as Augustine Akuttu. Through appropriate seeds, training and market access, he transformed cassava, a food crop into a growing business. He provided employment, developed infrastructure and made people believe in the crop that they had been taking for granted.

Uganda already possesses the ingredients needed to establish a robust cassava economy. The land is fertile. The farmers are industrious. Better seeds are being produced in research centers. Communities are training projects. And the government is beginning to put money in rural industries.

What’s needed now is better coordination. Cassava needs stronger links—from the farm to the processor, from the processor to the market. It also needs support in the form of funding, equipment, and simple policies that make it easier to do business.

With these pieces in place, cassava can do more than fill plates. It can help Uganda reduce food imports, create rural jobs, build export industries, and face climate challenges head-on.

Cassava has been quietly supporting the country for years. Now, it deserves a bigger role not just as food, but as a driver of Uganda’s future.

1. Why is cassava important in Uganda?
   Cassava is a key food crop for millions of Ugandans. It’s affordable, drought-resistant, and easy to grow, making it a reliable source of food and income across rural areas.

2. What can cassava be used for besides food?
   Cassava is processed into flour, animal feed, starch, glue, and ethanol. It is also used in making gluten-free products and even biodegradable packaging, opening doors for both local use and exports.

3. What are the major challenges in cassava farming?
   Farmers face issues like crop diseases (CMD and CBSD), fast post-harvest spoilage, lack of quality planting material, and limited access to processing equipment or storage.

4. How can investors get involved in Uganda’s cassava sector?
   Investors can explore opportunities in seed supply, processing equipment, cassava flour and ethanol production, value addition, and farmer training services. The sector has growing demand and underused capacity.